We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Data Governance, Grade 14, to join our Data Governance Team, which sits within the Technology Department.
Team Overview:
The Data Governance team is responsible for setting and enforcing data governance arrangements to enable Elexon to support its strategic priorities and regulatory compliance, and to inform decision‑making across the organisation and the wider electricity market. This involves setting and enforcing data governance frameworks, policies, standards, and procedures to maintain data accuracy, consistency, and security.
The team collaborates with the legal team who are responsible for data protection. Compliance activities in relation to the increase in personal data, include data protection impact assessments (DPIAs), privacy notices and data subject access request (DSARs). The team also collaborates with InfoSec to align data governance and security policies, to monitor security threats and access to core systems and data.
Data Governance is a developing capability within Elexon and is currently designing and implementing foundational frameworks, policies and processes.
Job Purpose:
The Head of Data Governance is a critical new role within Elexon’s Technology directorate, responsible for the building of data governance capabilities within Elexon. The role holder will be responsible for collaborating with Legal and InfoSec teams to ensure Elexon complies with all relevant data protection regulations, Information Security Standards and policies and embraces data management best practice to deliver on its ambitions.
The role will focus on designing and embedding data governance policies, processes and data risk controls. This will involve advising Executives on data governance and collaborating with Legal compliance and InfoSec leads and advising Executives on strategy and direction of travel. The role also involves raising organisational awareness and understanding of data governance, helping to improve levels of data literacy.
In addition to strengthening foundational elements of data governance and data management, the role holder will also be an active member of the wider data leadership team supporting strategic organisational data priorities including: data strategy, data analytics, data quality, and data architecture capabilities.
Key Responsibilities:
- The role is responsible for:Developing, implementing, and maintaining Elexon’s data governance framework, including policies, standards, and processes.
- Co-ordinating the Data Protection Steering Group (chaired by the CTO), setting the agenda and preparing materials as required to inform decision making
- Leading initiatives to improve data quality, resolve data-related issues, and ensure adherence to established data standards across the organisation.
- Collaborating with InfoSec, Technology, and legal teams to ensure data governance policies align with business needs, legislative and regulatory requirements.
- Defining and implementing an enterprise data ownership model, ensuring clear accountability for data assets through clear data ownership and stewardship.
- Collaborating with the Elexon legal team to support compliance activities, maintaining a record of DPIAs and risk assessments for key projects (e.g. the Helix Programme).
- Providing expertise and guidance on data governance best practices to colleagues and senior leadership, fostering a culture of data literacy within Elexon.
- Managing and mentoring a team of data governance professionals, fostering their development and facilitating high performance.
- Establishing key data governance metrics and reporting mechanisms to monitor project and data governance status
- Leading on the communication of enterprise data governance initiatives and performance to key internal and external stakeholders.
- Identifying and mitigating risks associated with data handling, storage, and usage to protect sensitive information and maintain trust.
- Establishing a Data Governance Community of Practice and associated Working Groups.
Capabilities and competencies: Critical:
- Experience leading data governance and / or technology programmes
- Proven experience of developing and implementing data governance strategies, policies and processes
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve complex data governance issues
- Demonstrable experience of managing internal and external stakeholders who have competing requirements
- Experience of leading cross‑functional teams to deliver against common objectives
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels.
- Understanding and experience of applying data governance improvements across the system development lifecycle
- Experience with data quality tools and data management platforms
- Experience of implementing data catalogue and data lineage solutions
- Strong knowledge of data protection regulations (e.g. GDPR) and industry‑specific data standards.
- Demonstrated leadership in a data governance or data management capacity
- Experience of building data governance capability and managing cross – functional teams
- Experience of applying access management and data sharing controls with third parties
- Experience of designing and implementing data sharing agreements with third parties
- Experience of implementing compliance and security solutions
- Experience in the energy or utilities sector, particularly with the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC).
- Experience designing and implementing data risk control frameworks
- Familiarity with agile methodologies in a data environment.
- Comfortable switching between programmatic and business as usual environments
- Data Governance certification or experience.
- Ability to translate complex data concepts into business – friendly language.
- Flexible and pragmatic when designing temporary and enduring data governance solutions
Elexon career path / Potential next role(s):
- Chief Data Officer
- Head of Data Products
- 28 days annual holiday + Bank Holidays
- Discretionary annual incentive scheme
- Life assurance
- Pension
- Private medical (Bupa)
At Elexon, our employee wellbeing is particularly important to us, which is why we are proud to provide:
- Hybrid working – 2 days per week at our London office
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Eye care voucher scheme
- Subsidised gym membership
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Buying & selling holiday scheme
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) days
- Season ticket loan
We believe a diverse and inclusive culture allows innovation and creativity to flourish. We are committed to continuously improving our culture for our colleagues and stakeholders. Through our hugely successful Diversity Forum, Mental Health First Aid network and regular programme of activities and events, we celebrate difference and recognise the value of employee wellbeing, which is a consistent outcome from annual employee surveys that we conduct. Likewise, as a community, we like to support each other, and all agree Elexon is a great place to work with a great workspace too!
At Elexon, we want to:
- Provide true equality of opportunity
- Attract and retain diverse talent
- Listen to all voices
- Be representative of the communities we work in
- Be a role model for Diversity and Inclusion in the industry
Elexon together, embracing differences, listening to all voices
