Our Mission and Impact

The Unity Programme represents a pivotal initiative at HMRC, establishing a unified shared service across HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Transport, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Within this strategic transformation, Unity Technical Services (UTS), a division of HMRC CDIO, is entrusted with the delivery and operational management of advanced technology infrastructure for the multi-department Finance, HR, and Procurement shared service capability. At HMRC, we foster an environment where individuals discover purpose, professional growth, and a genuine sense of belonging, contributing to vital national services.

Job Summary

As the Head of Data Governance for Unity Technical Services, you will provide critical senior leadership and strategic oversight for data governance, data ethics, and data risk management across HMRC’s extensive Unity landscape. Collaborating closely with the Chief Data Officer and key Unity and CDIO stakeholders, this role is instrumental in ensuring that data is meticulously managed, robustly governed, and responsibly utilised to facilitate seamless delivery. You will uphold legislative, regulatory, and ethical obligations across all data operations. Operating at an enterprise scale, this position supports highly complex programmes and services, requiring significant influence across HMRC and the wider government. You will serve as a trusted senior advisor, spearheading the embedment of consistent data governance standards throughout Unity Technical Services and advancing HMRC's strategic ambition to become a truly data-driven department.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and executive accountability for enterprise-wide data migration initiatives, defining the vision, scope, and governance essential for successful delivery of complex transformation programmes.
• Oversee comprehensive migration strategies, critical design decisions, data extraction and mapping processes, transformation rules, and validation protocols to ensure robust, accurate, and business-ready data outcomes.
• Collaborate strategically with the Chief Data Officer to provide overarching data governance oversight across Unity Technical Services and HMRC.
• Establish, implement, and assure adherence to HMRC-wide data governance policies, frameworks, and standards throughout the entire Unity portfolio.
• Assume accountability for the proactive identification, understanding, and management of data-related risks and issues, engaging with Senior Responsible Owners, data owners, and technical leaders to facilitate resolution or formal risk acceptance.
• Represent Unity and HMRC as a senior authority on best practices in data governance, data ethics, and data security, ensuring alignment with enterprise data and technology architecture.
• Formulate and lead the data governance strategy for Unity Technical Services, ensuring seamless alignment with broader HMRC and cross-government data strategies.
• Supervise compliance with data protection, data ethics, and security requirements, cultivating a robust data ethics culture across all Unity programmes and services.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders across CDIO, various HMRC business areas, and the wider government.
• Advocate for and champion enhanced data risk management, advanced data management practices, and robust assurance mechanisms throughout the complete data lifecycle.
• Lead and meticulously report on data maturity assessments, presenting clear assurance, identified risks, and strategic improvement plans to senior governance forums and boards.
• Promote and significantly enhance data literacy across Unity Technical Services, strategically influencing senior leaders to prioritise data-driven decision-making.
• Proactively horizon scan for emerging trends in data governance, security, and ethical considerations, introducing innovative and proportionate approaches that accelerate delivery.