Data Lead - Digital Transformation

Role Overview

South Lanarkshire Council is inviting applications for a Data Lead position based at the Council Headquarters in Hamilton. This fixed-term role lasts for 18 months, working 35 hours per week with a Monday to Friday schedule (Monday to Thursday from 8:45am to 4:45pm and Friday from 8:45am to 4:15pm). The annual salary ranges from £54,783 to £59,911. As a pivotal figure in driving the council’s digital transformation, the Data Lead will champion the council-wide strategy on data governance, ensuring data is trustworthy, well-managed, accessible, secure, and leveraged effectively to enhance community outcomes.

Key Duties

• Lead the advancement and deployment of the council’s comprehensive data framework.
• Enhance data quality, consistency, and availability across various council services.
• Develop and enforce policies, standards, and procedures supporting robust data management.
• Offer expert guidance on all matters related to data governance, information management, and legislative compliance.
• Partner with service divisions to uncover data-driven opportunities that optimize performance and efficiency.
• Foster an organizational culture emphasizing data literacy and decisions based on evidence.
• Support initiatives connected with business intelligence, reporting, and analytics.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to fulfill strategic data objectives.
• Ensure data handling and management fully comply with legal, regulatory, and security requirements.

Candidate Profile

• Experienced professional in data governance, business intelligence, or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of data quality, standards, information governance, and compliance regulations.
• Proven capability in designing and implementing frameworks, policies, and best practices for effective data handling.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with strong stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple organizational departments.
• Passionate about leveraging data to drive service enhancements and organizational transformation.
• Exceptional communication skills with proficiency in conveying complex data topics to diverse audiences.

Additional Information and Requirements

Application deadline is 9 August 2026 at 11:55 PM. Candidates should submit additional supporting documents as needed; CVs alone are not accepted. Internal applicants must apply through the Opportunity Marketplace. This role is excepted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Scotland Act 2020. Applicants with relevant overseas residence/work history need to provide a translated, official Overseas Criminal Records Check. The council promotes equal opportunity and inclusion, encouraging applications from under-represented groups and guaranteeing interviews for disabled applicants and members or families of the armed forces who meet essential criteria.

Benefits

• Participation in an award-winning local government pension scheme, including an optional salary sacrifice AVC scheme to enhance pensions.
• Up to 33 days of annual leave plus up to 10 public holidays.
• Occupational sick pay and supportive family-friendly policies such as flexible working and enhanced maternity/paternity leave.
• Employee discounts (including cinema), Cycle to Work Scheme, physiotherapy access, and an Employee Assistance Program offering practical and emotional support.

Application Instructions

• Applicants must answer specific questions regarding their experience with data governance, stakeholder influence, regulatory compliance, and leadership in organizational change as part of their supporting documents.
• Further supporting information (not CVs) can be uploaded with applications.
• Correspondence will be conducted via email.
• Recruitment checks must be completed expediently or the application may be withdrawn.
• Canvassing will disqualify applicants from consideration.