Role Purpose
This role is accountable for defining information and data governance policies, standards, and control expectations, and for providing independent oversight, challenge, and monitoring of adherence across the organisation.
While first‑line business areas retain accountability for executing data controls, the Head of Information and Data Governance will influence senior stakeholders to ensure these responsibilities are effectively discharged. The role will also lead a continuous improvement agenda to enhance the maturity of data governance practices across the business.
This is a senior leadership position requiring expertise in information and data governance and a proven track record of strengthening control environments within complex organisations. Experience working with material outsourcers and an understanding of emerging risks, including those associated with AI, are highly desirable. A strong background in financial services and familiarity with platform‑based business models, alongside knowledge of key regulatory bodies such as the ICO, FCA and PRA, is essential. A key aspect of the role is the ability to translate complex information and data governance concepts into clear, business‑relevant insights, enabling effective decision‑making at Executive Committee and Board level. Strong stakeholder engagement skills are critical to build confidence across the organisation, from the C‑suite to delivery partners, and ensure governance remains aligned to the needs of a growing business.
The role holder will oversee the effective operation of the data governance function within a regulated environment, including managing team performance, capacity, budgets, and associated risks and controls. This role focuses on governance and oversight, rather than operational data management and does not act as the Data Protection Officer. However, it works closely with operational teams, Information Security and related functions to strengthen the overall control environment. Responsibilities include business partnering, review and approval of impact assessments, and supporting change and transition initiatives.
About Nucleus and the Function
Nucleus is one of the UK’s leading independent financial planning and retirement‑focused platforms operating from offices in London, Bristol, Ipswich, Salisbury, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The business administers over £100bn of customer assets across Self‑Invested Personal Pensions, Individual Savings Accounts, general investment accounts and other products for over 5,000 financial advisers and more than 250,000 underlying clients. Nucleus has ~1,200 employees and uses FNZ and Bravura as material outsourcers; consequently, the business has a range of both in‑house and outsourced services and operations that this role will have oversight responsibility for.
The Architecture, Governance and Oversight function sits within Group Technology and plays a crucial role in helping navigate a major transformation programme and a series of transitional states to achieve this, while supporting the near‑term business strategy within the constraints of existing solutions and capabilities.
Architect scalable and innovative solutions that support both the growth and efficiency of our business
Set standards and policy to protect our business and ensure regulatory compliance
Ensure Information & Cyber Security controls, both internally and across our suppliers, are sufficient and effective
Define Data Governance standards and maintain oversight across the business and our material suppliers
Define expected standards for, and test, our Operational Resilience
Inform material decisions and ensure good governance and oversight both internally and across our suppliers
Provide appropriate insight and reporting to the Leadership team and stakeholders including Board
Support the CTO in defining and tracking progress against our strategy
Continuously review our risk profile and effectiveness of mitigating controls
Work with our Finance business partner to ensure good control over expenditure, budget setting and driving efficiencies in our cost base
Responsibilities
Define and Lead Information and Data Governance Strategy
Own and evolve the Group Information and Data Governance strategy, aligned to business priorities and transformation objectives
Define the target operating model for information and data governance, including roles, accountabilities and federated ownership across the Group
Establish policies, standards and principles covering data quality, ownership, lineage, metadata, retention and ethical use
Ensure governance aligns with regulatory expectations while remaining commercially pragmatic and scalable
Act as a thought leader on emerging data trends (AI, data products, cloud ecosystems) and their governance implications
Work collaboratively with other members of our Technology leadership team to inform and deliver on our broader Data Strategy
Drive Adoption Through Influence and Engagement
Build strong relationships with ExCo, SLT and senior business leaders to embed information and data governance as a business priority
Influence business areas to take ownership of data controls and outcomes, rather than centralising delivery
Develop and lead a data governance community / network (e.g. data owners and stewards)
Champion a data‑led culture, promoting accountability, literacy and value realisation
Act as a trusted advisor on data governance implications of transformation, M&A and strategic initiatives
Senior Leadership and Executive Engagement
Lead the creation of clear, concise and insight‑driven reporting for Executive Committee and Board
Translate technical and regulatory topics into business risk, customer impact and commercial outcomes
Provide forward‑looking insight on risks, maturity and investment priorities
Ensure consistent and compelling communication of information and data governance progress, gaps and value delivered
Governance Framework and Oversight
Define, own and maintain the Group Data Governance Control Framework, including mandatory controls, control objectives and assurance requirements aligned to UK GDPR, FCA and PRA expectations
Define information and data governance policies and standards that support lawful, fair, transparent and accountable processing across all Group entities
Develop and track KPIs / KRIs for data quality, control effectiveness and adoption
Oversee data governance maturity assessments and prioritise improvement initiatives
Provide independent challenge to business areas on data‑related risks and control weaknesses
Ensure data governance is effective across key suppliers and outsourced providers
Enable Business Change and Transformation
Embed data governance into change lifecycle (design, delivery and transition)
Ensure new initiatives align with data standards, ownership models and control expectations
Provide guidance on data governance standards and expectations for our Platform Transformation programme
Support the organisation in balancing speed of change with governance discipline
Build Capability & Ways of Working
Lead and develop a high‑performing data governance team
Develop team capability and succession through coaching and mentoring
Define required capability uplift across the business (data owners, stewards, SMEs)
Introduce practical tooling, frameworks and playbooks to enable adoption
Promote continuous improvement and measurable uplift in data maturity
Key Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours)
Knowledge and Experience
Strong experience defining and implementing information and data governance strategies
Proven track record of operating within a regulated environment, preferably financial services
Understanding of data operating models, data ownership frameworks and governance tooling
Experience supporting enterprise‑wide transformation and large‑scale change programmes
Sound understanding of technology and data processing within platform‑based financial services
Knowledge of third‑party data protection contractual requirements
Skills and Behaviours
Strong leadership and people management capability
Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing at leadership level
Ability to simplify complex concepts into clear, compelling messages
Strategic thinker with strong commercial and pragmatic judgement
Confident in challenging senior stakeholders constructively
High levels of credibility, resilience and personal impact
Collaborative team player who role‑models organisational values
Strong commitment to continuous learning and improvement
Competent user of MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Teams
Desirable
Knowledge of platform propositions, including WRAP Platforms and SIPPs
Professional certifications such as CIPP/E, CIPM or equivalent
Degree or relevant professional qualification
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