Our vision is a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases. A world where everyone has a healthier heart, for longer.
British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the leading independent funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases, and the largest charity retailer in the UK. Our lifesaving work is advanced by investment in medical research – we have over £400 million of BHF-funded research underway, with an aspiration to invest £1 billion in research over the next ten years.
We have an exciting new opportunity for a Head of Data Platforms to join us and play an instrumental role in leading the vision, evolution, and operational excellence of our enterprise data platform.
Ensuring this platform is robust, trusted, cost-effective, and continually advancing to support BHF’s strategic ambitions, you’ll lead our Data Platform Squad and will strengthen the product-based operating model, and ensure dependable, future-proof data foundations.
Key responsibilities for this role include:
- Bridging tactical and strategic priorities, combining engineering detail with organisational mission.
- Owning the strategy, design, delivery, and ongoing operation of the enterprise data platform.
- Directing the move to a product-centric model, embedding disciplined data governance, high-performing engineering practices, and responsive service management.
- Providing technical leadership strategic for data platform.
- Leading a cross-functional squad and playing a central role in data governance, enterprise architecture, and technology strategy.
- Running the platform as a product: outcome-driven, iterative, financially responsible, and aligned with user and organisational needs.
- Shaping and implementing BHF’s evolving data strategy as a key member of Technology’s senior leadership team.
About you
You’ll have the following skills and experience:
- Degree, or equivalent experience, in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Management, or related discipline.
- Expert knowledge of modern cloud-based data platform technologies (Azure preferred) including data lakes, event streaming, pipeline orchestration, warehouse/lakehouse architectures, and BI/analytics tooling.
- Strong understanding of data governance, compliance, and information security best practice.
- Deep understanding of agile, product, and traditional programme delivery methodologies.
- Proven leadership of data platform or data engineering teams within complex or federated organisations.
- Demonstratable success in delivering secure, scalable, high performing enterprise data platforms.
- Significant experience operating in a bi modal environment and navigating prioritisation across BAU, project, and innovation streams.
- Strong track record in commercial/vendor management and technology budgeting.
- Experience contributing to, or leading data strategy development and organisational adoption.
- Expertise applying data governance and compliance frameworks to real world operations.
A strategic leader, you’ll have excellent communication skills and be able to develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders across the business.
Our ambition is to build, develop and empower a talented and diverse team. Join us at BHF and be part of a supportive environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
Belonging at BHF
By embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment, we strengthen our ability to achieve our mission of saving and improving lives, ensuring our work reflects and serves the needs of every community across the UK.
To hear from our people, check out Belonging at BHF.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By funding research across six decades, we’ve helped keep millions of hearts beating and millions of families together. We’re investing in ground-breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world where everyone has a healthier heart for longer.
Working arrangements
This is a hybrid role, where your work will be split between your home and at least one day per week, on average, in our London Office. This may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to unlock your best work for our cause.
Benefits and development
At BHF, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support our colleagues’ wellbeing and professional growth.
To find out more about our benefits you can download the Benefits document at the bottom of this page or check out What we offer – Benefits and Development pages.
Need more help balancing your work and home life? Talk to us about what flexibility is available at the application or interview stage.
Interview process
The interview process will consist of two stages. First stage interviews will be a short, 30-minute, MS Teams discussion with the lead hiring manager. For those successful, there will be second stage interviews, in-person at our London Office (NW1 7AW), w/c 2nd March. This stage will consist of a panel-based interview, with presentation, and a chance to meet the wider team in a stakeholder session.
How to apply
It’s quick and easy to apply for a role at the BHF. Just click on the apply button below. All you’ll need is an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement, outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the role’s criteria.
Our recruitment processes are fair, accessible, and inclusive. BHF use anonymous CV software as part of the application journey.
Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.