Head of Data Operations

Job summary

Across government, digital and technology transformation is no longer simply an enabling function; it is central to how public bodies deliver better services, protect resilience, support policy outcomes and respond to the growing expectations of citizens, businesses and colleagues. Ofgem has a vital role in the UK’s energy system, protecting consumers and helping to enable a more secure, fair and sustainable energy future. As the organisation continues to evolve, our newly designed Digital, Data and Security Services (DDSS) team will be critical to how Ofgem modernises its services, strengthens its platforms and supports wider government priorities.

Ofgem is on an exciting transformational journey. Within DDSS, we are strengthening the foundations of both our entire function and all elements of our DDSS estate, building greater internal capability and creating the platforms, services and governance needed to support a modern regulator. In short, this is an opportunity to join Ofgem at a pivotal moment and help shape the next stage of its digital, data, security, and technology maturity.

About the role

As the Head of Data Operations at Ofgem, you will lead a data operations team to provide effective reactive and ongoing support within data services, continuously improving data operations in support of broader organisational priorities.

Job description

You will be responsible for:

• Overseeing a team of operations engineers including senior data operations, machine learning and analytics colleagues, inspiring best practice for operations engineering of data products and services within your team
• Building a data operations engineering capability by providing technical leadership and career development for your team, instilling a culture of continuous integration, support and deployment across environments (MS Azure, Azure DevOps, open-source technologies, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics)
• Contributing to strategy development, working with other senior team members to identify, plan, develop and deliver data services that meet Ofgem’s broader objectives
• Overseeing the implementation of monitoring and support for the data platform to allow robust and reliable access to relevant data for Analytics, Data Science, AI and Business Intelligence Systems
• Ensuring data quality while overseeing the development and optimisation of effective reactive support and continuous improvement for the infrastructure of the cloud data platform

Person specification

What we are looking for:

Essential

• Strategic leadership in building and improving a data operations capability
• Expertise in delivering effective data support services, overseeing implementation of scalable data operations solutions and continuous improvement in a modern cloud environment
• Proven leadership of high performing technical teams and communities including senior engineers
• Strong stakeholder communication and influence including executive level communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Deep understanding of how to implement data governance policies, service support and quality assurance

Desirable

• Thought leadership in data engineering, innovation or emerging technologies
• Knowledge of energy sector data and AI challenges, the transition to net-zero, including regulatory and affordability implications

This is an opportunity to play a significant role in Ofgem’s journey, as part of a newly formed and high-performing team that is shaping a critical government organisation at a time when its work has never been more important.

If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please reach out to Lawrence Harrison [phone removed], or via email at [email removed].

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be asked to conduct a presentation during your interview. Details of the presentation will be included in the invitation to interview.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £63,443, OFGEM contributes £18,379 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of your application, you will be asked to upload a 2-page copy of your CV and provide a 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the criteria listed in the role profile. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn].

At Ofgem, we expect our staff to carry out their roles with honesty, fairness and ope