Principal Data Management Lead

About us

We’re the team behind digital retailer Very. 

Our purpose, helping families get more out of life, powers everything we do. 

And we want our people to get more out of life too! If you’re high-performing, ambitious and make the most of every opportunity, we want to hear from you. In return, you’ll enjoy heaps of flexibility, great perks and benefits, and the freedom to be yourself, keep learning and take your career wherever you want it to go. 

If you love making a difference, you’ll love making it sparkle for millions of Very customers. ✨ 

About the team

Our Data team is focused on unlocking the value of data across the business, enabling better customer experiences, more informed decision-making and greater operational effectiveness.

We're building modern, scalable data capabilities that support both current business needs and future growth. The Data Management team plays a critical role in this journey, providing the standards, frameworks and controls that ensure data is trusted, governed and fit for purpose.

Working closely with Engineering, Architecture, Governance, Analytics and Product teams, the function is helping to create a culture where data is understood, owned and managed consistently across the organisation. This is an exciting time to join a growing team that is investing in new capabilities, ways of working and technology to build a strong data foundation for the future.

About the role

As Principal Data Management Lead, you'll act as a key subject matter expert for Enterprise Data Management, partnering with stakeholders across the organisation to improve how data is managed throughout its lifecycle.

You'll:

• Help shape and evolve Enterprise Data Management strategy, standards and best practices.
• Drive the adoption of robust Data Management capabilities across the organisation.
• Lead initiatives focused on Data Quality, Metadata Management, Data Lineage, Critical Data Elements, Reference and Master Data, and Data Lifecycle Management.
• Work closely with business and technology stakeholders to improve trust, consistency and accessibility of enterprise data.
• Champion strong data ownership and stewardship models across business domains.
• Influence strategic programmes and transformation initiatives to ensure Data Management requirements are embedded from the outset.
• Support the identification and remediation of data-related risks, control weaknesses and improvement opportunities.
• Drive greater visibility of data flows, lineage and dependencies across systems and business processes.
• Advocate for the effective use of Data Management tooling and capabilities.
• Support the continuous improvement of Data Management maturity across the organisation.

About you

We're seeking an experienced Data Management professional who combines strong technical and governance knowledge with the ability to influence change across a complex organisation.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience within Enterprise Data Management, Data Governance or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Data Quality, Metadata Management, Data Lineage, Reference Data, Master Data and Data Lifecycle Management.
• Experience operating within large, complex data environments.
• A strong understanding of Data Management frameworks, controls and industry best practice.
• Experience implementing Data Management standards and driving adoption across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and pragmatic approach.
• Experience supporting business transformation, change initiatives and continuous improvement programmes.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
• A passion for improving trust in data and helping organisations become more data-driven.

Some of our benefits

• Flexible, hybrid working model
• Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews

• £1000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
• 30 days holiday + bank holidays
• LinkedIn Learning access
• Bonus potential (performance and business-related)
• Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk

• Matched pension up to 6%
• More benefits can be found on our career site

How to apply 

Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you will be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and if a specific requirement of your role a DBS (criminal records) check. Should your application progress we require you to let the team know if there is anything you need to disclose in relation to any of these checks prior to them being undertaken, including any unspent criminal convictions.  

What happens next? 

Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! We’ll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we’re a good match, we’ll share your CV with the hiring manager to review. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person or held remotely.  

You can expect a one stage interview process for this position:  

1st stage - A one hour face-to-face interview with the hiring team to discuss your skills and relevant experience + competency questions. This is also a great opportunity to find out more about the role and to ask any questions you may have.  

As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.  

If you'd like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here. 

Diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities

We’re building a culture of everyday inclusion, and welcome applications from anyone who believes they can do the job. We don’t discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you need reasonable adjustments to apply, interview, or perform a role, let us know via [email protected]. We’ll be happy to support you.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have nine brilliant colleague networks - including DAWN (Disability Awareness at Very) and Think (Neurodiversity at Very) - that are helping us make Very an even more inclusive place to work.