Do you want to be at the forefront of delivering a data strategy to drive meaningful change? We are inviting applications for a Data Strategy Senior Manager to help drive the Rural Payments Agency’s Data Strategy objectives, working within the Data and Innovation directorate and in partnership with colleagues across RPA and the wider Defra group. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and provides a range of services to farmers and land managers. It’s an exciting moment to join the RPA as we move towards a data-led organisation, rethinking how data, insight and innovation shape the way we serve farmers, land managers and rural communities. Further information can be found on the Rural Payments Agency website Rural Payments Agency - GOV.UK The successful candidate will join a small team with a complex brief. The Defra Chief Data Office (CDO) is committed to delivering a ‘whole department’ view of data maturity, requiring significant collaboration across RPA teams and liaison across all levels of the business. Using the findings from the 2026 Data Maturity Assessment, the Data Strategy Senior Manager will help the Agency understand data priorities and what they mean in practical terms. Supporting teams to improve how they manage and use data, helping build awareness of the data roadmap, and working with stakeholders to keep things moving in the right direction, the Data Strategy Delivery Manager has the opportunity to shape what’s needed to develop better use of data across the Agency and a data-led culture. Responsibilities: Lead team analysis of the data maturity assessment Advise on, develop and manage progress of data maturity actions, influencing and engaging teams across the Agency to meet The Defra Chief Data Office (CDO) requirement and wider government priorities including AI readiness Prioritise data roadmap actions through organising and leading the delivery of workshops with a wide range of stakeholders Establish and implement data management governance and standards across the Agency, drawing on best practice from Defra, Arms-Length Bodies (ALBs) and other government partners Develop clear reporting and success measures to communicate progress using tools such as Power BI and Power Automate to add value Support the development of a Data Advisory Service, to ensure RPA colleagues are informed and confident users of data and analysis Champion a positive data culture across RPA Line manage (including remote management) Travel between offices as and when required Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .