Description and requirements
Skanska, one of the world’s leading project development and construction groups, is an inclusive and responsible business that is helping to build a better society.
We are looking for a Head of Data & Analytics to join our Technology & Sustainability team in Leavesden (Watford).
The Head of Data Analytics will be responsible for setting the strategic direction, governance, and delivery of data capabilities across the organisation.
What you’ll do:
1. Be accountable for defining and executing the organisation’s data and analytics strategy, aligning it with business priorities and regulatory requirements.
2. Lead the Data Analytics and Engineering function, ensuring seamless collaboration across Analysts, Engineers, Architects, and Governance specialists, and preparing for the future integration of Data Science.
3. Responsible for building and managing scalable data platforms, architecture, and pipelines that ensure data quality, accessibility, and reliability.
4. Support the organisation’s compliance with data governance, privacy, and regulatory obligations (e.g., GDPR, ISO standards), embedding a culture of trust and accountability in data use.
5. Work with business leaders, capability areas and stakeholders to identify opportunities for data-driven value creation, providing insights that shape strategy and operations.
6. Contribute to the professional development of your team, creating career pathways, fostering innovation, and ensuring a collaborative and high-performing culture.
7. Drive the adoption of modern analytics tools, technologies, and practices that enhance the organisation’s data maturity.
8. Prepare the function for future data science capability, building the foundations for advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI adoption.
What you’ll bring to the role:
9. Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Information Management, or a related discipline (postgraduate qualification desirable).
10. Significant leadership experience in data and analytics or similar roles, with a proven track record of managing multidisciplinary teams.
11. Deep understanding of data strategy, architecture, and modern data platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP).
12. Strong experience with data governance, regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001), and information security best practices.
13. Demonstrated ability to deliver large-scale data and analytics programmes that create measurable business value.
14. Strong background in business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Looker) and analytics methods.
15. Experience with data engineering and pipeline development (e.g., ETL/ELT, APIs, cloud data warehouses).
16. Knowledge of advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning, with experience in preparing an organisation for data science adoption.
17. Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills at executive level.
18. Track record of building and developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of innovation.