Chief Data Officer

Company Description

IT Search & Selection is one of Europe’s leading data, digital & technology executive search partners. We have been exclusively retained by an impressive global FTSE & LSE listed financial services group to appoint a Chief Data Officer ‘CDO’ to define an EU wide data strategy and lead its execution in partnership with the executive leadership team. This role may be performed from Paris, Central or Southern Spain or Southern Italy.

Adrian Clarke, Associate Director & Head of our Global Data Search Practice, is managing this international search in close collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer & Chief People Officer.

Note: candidates are welcomed from a variety of backgrounds & industries provided they have sizeable experience in B2C environments at scale & a deep understanding of contemporary and emerging data disciplines (ML, BI, Big Data Architecture) and data management frameworks.  The right candidate will have a proven track record as a data leader and hold a solid track record in driving complex data led organisational transformation programs. 

THE ORGANISATION & SCOPE

• My client consists of several successful B2C brands, satisfying the needs of 5.5M customers & growing internationally, across central Europe with wider operations in the UK & US. 
• Their organizational data IQ is already exceptionally high with little legacy challenges (cloud first organization) & as such, this role represents a titanic opportunity to leverage advances in machine learning & advanced analytics tools (big data, BI, AI) to drive profitability for the future. 
•  This role is amongst the most attractive of Chief Data Officer appointments in Europe in 2021 – as significant autonomy & strategic vision for a group level data management, data governance & multi-expert team – will be granted to the role holder – in an already technologically advanced ecosystem.
• The organization’s service suite is award winning with a proven track record as an employer of choice in both diversity & inclusion as well as great place to work rankings in each of its country of operations.
• The organisation has achieved a sustained competitive advantage through their innovative & superior pricing models and position as an advanced data driven & digital first culture.

Job Description

THE ROLE

As Chief Data Officer of European operations your role will consist of:

Leadership

• The role holder will inherit the existing European data team currently working on data strategy and will grow their team as they define the EU data function
• The role holder will define the management roadmap for data operations across data governance, data architecture and data stewardship which will quickly grow to ~10 leaders across 3 central European countries.
• They’ll lead wider data people operations of c. 30-40 people per country across 3 countries
• As such the CDO shall expect to be directly and indirectly managing & influencing a team of circa 130 talented individuals internationally

Ownership of Data Governance & Data Strategy

• The role holder will work to refine an EU wide data strategy and lead its execution
• They will design, build, and lead a newly created EU data function, responsible for cross organisational data initiatives including but not limited to data governance, risk management, data enablement tools/platforms and data enterprise architecture
• The CDO will own Data risk & governance, ensuring the adequate risk management, governance and adherence to group and third-party regulation is in place.

Communications & Value Generation

• The CDO will effectively communicate at all levels, the data agenda across the European & international executive committees, as well as the data organisation & any wider teams who can benefit from the outputs of the data operation
• They will create synergies and economies of scale in data across EU businesses and be the forefront of data innovation and monetisation opportunities
• They will develop a strong data culture and foster a deep understanding of the capabilities of same across the organization
• The CDO will develop critical senior relationships and create opportunities for synergies and value sharing with the global organisation, notably the data organisations in the UK and US operations.

Innovation & Technological Development

• The CDO will support the development of big data and machine learning initiatives, capabilities & identify & embed cutting edge technologies across the organization in close partnership with the CTO
• They’ll realise the true commercial & organisational value of data in a safe Scaled Agile environment and be domain leader for data at an EU level, leveraging unique and creative means to advance the organisation as an industry leader in its utilisation of data technology
• The role holder will provide the board and the EU leadership with total visibility and assurance on the evolution of data led transformation.

KEY OBJECTIVES

The role of Chief Data Officer will be evaluated on the role holder’s ability to

• define and execute the data strategy
• establish the data governance function and set out and achieve its 2022 maturation objectives
• effectively drive change across the organisation and to build a strong data function at European level
• ensure data assets afford a competitive advantage to the organisation while raising the data culture and analytics skills level across the organisation whilst enabling the organisation to achieve its agreed data objectives, strong data governance and risk management.
• identify & leverage key EU wide opportunities including use cases, platform/technology selection and commercial synergies

PERSON SPECIFICATION

It is expected that the ideal candidate will present with evidence of the following:

• Proven leadership track record
• A strong instinct / vision for data governance
• Transformational qualities
• Proven communications, conflict & change management acumen
• Dynamic & natural enthusiasm for big data technologies
• Strongly action-orientated 
• Fluent/Business level English language skills

Qualifications

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE ACHTECTYPE

It is expected that the successful candidate will show evidence of:

• connecting strategic ideas from different parts of a business thereby freeing up the movement of information and ideas and achieving or contributing to commercial upside
• devising and developing a vision; attracting and engaging buy-in; implementing a vision with a technical team
• operating at C-level
• deep understanding of cloud/analytics technologies
• managing teams of 30 resources as a minimum covering a variety of facets of the data spectrum (data science, modelling, BI, data systems, data architecture etc.)
• management and development of managers
• managing organisational change & managing a CDO function (or similiar)
• multi—regional operational management (desired but not essential)

REQUIRED SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

The role holder is expected to hold:

• a strong command of advanced data application domains, including machine learning, business intelligence, big data, data warehousing, etc.
• strong experience in establishing and leading data management functions, including building and managing data standards, processes, and frameworks
• a strong command of one or more data management and governance frameworks such as DAMA or DCAM and be familiar with data maturity models such as CMMI or DMM.
• a good depth of experience in operating in regulated environments and experience in managing data compliance, governance, and risk management

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

It is expected that suitable candidates will present with:

• a strong university degree
• a data leaning masters or MBA (or similar further professional development) – preferred however not essential

Additional Information

OTHER INFORMATION

• Key relationships: The CDO will work closely with the European CTO, Chief Digital Officer, CISO, Transformation Unit & report to the European CEO.
• Travel: It is expected that one international trip may be required per month – more as required however in general the organisation is committed to flexible working & already benefits from a very fluid working model. Given the level of the role, the right hire will naturally wish to cultivate their management culture & develop key relationships at executive level. Considerable flexibility will be afforded for the achievement of same.
• Support: External consultancy resources will be defined by the CDO and approved by the CEO. HR support will be provided to the CDO for their organisational change programmes – in close consultation with the Chief People Officer.

APPLICATION

Interested candidates are invited to apply via this link or to extend confidential inquiries to the attention of Adrian Clarke – Associate Director (Data Executive Search)- IT Search & Selection at adrian(D)clarke(A)itsearch(D)ie | 353(0)871146347 (Ireland). 

About IT Search & Selection

IT Search is one of Europe's leading leading data, digital & technology recruitment & executive search partners. We work with Fortune 500s, VC backed start-up organisations & established businesses in achieving their talent objectives. We are home to one of European's only data executive search operations.

We are HQ'd in Dublin, Ireland and work across EMEA, North America & Asia on exceptionally niche search mandates across the data & decision sciences, martech & emerging technology.

IT Search & Selection | Your Global Technology, Data & Digital Talent Partner