Group Data Manager

Description

**Key Responsibilities** **Data Strategy \& Architecture** * Define and own the Group's target data architecture on Microsoft Fabric (lakehouse / medallion patterns, data pipelines, semantic models), while keeping the design open to other platforms and technologies where they genuinely serve the Group better. * Personally build and maintain core Fabric artefacts \- pipelines, lakehouse structures, semantic models, reports \- in addition to specifying them for vendors and future team members; today there is no delivery team to delegate to. * Lead the migration path away from legacy, on\-premise, single\-vendor data setups towards a scalable, governed, cloud\-native architecture. * Act as the data voice on the Group's Architecture Review Board, ensuring every AI and data initiative across the Group aligns to a single architectural direction rather than fragmenting into local solutions. **Data Governance \& Compliance** * Stand up the Group's first formal data governance framework: data catalog, data quality rules, ownership and stewardship model (RACI), naming conventions, and change/version control for data assets. * Own the Group Master Data programme (chart of accounts, cost centres, customers, products) that today blocks reliable cross\-entity reporting. * Ensure data practices meet GDPR and local data\-protection requirements across all jurisdictions the Group operates in, working closely with local IT and legal/DPO functions. **Helix Platform Leadership** * Take executive ownership of Helix, the Group's Fabric\-based data platform programme, from its current early\-stage footing through to a mature, governed, multi\-domain reporting and analytics platform. * Own the programme roadmap, budget and prioritisation, balancing the Finance function's near\-term reporting needs against the longer\-term architectural foundation the Group needs. * Define and enforce a group\-first principle: local or business\-unit data initiatives may pilot new ideas, but the platform architecture is decided and owned at Group level. **Vendor \& External Resource Management** * Own the Group's portfolio of external data, BI and Fabric delivery partners end\-to\-end: sourcing, RFQ/RFP management, contract negotiation, and ongoing performance and delivery accountability. * Run competitive vendor selection processes for data services and longer\-term data\-foundation partnerships, several of which are already in flight and will need to be concluded by whoever takes this role. * Actively manage the balance between vendor delivery and building sustainable internal capability, so the Group is not permanently dependent on any single external partner. **Team Building \& Leadership** * Build the Group Data team from its current near\-zero headcount, starting with an already\-approved Data Analyst hire, and grow it deliberately as the platform and governance model mature. * Coordinate \- and over time formally integrate \- data\-adjacent contributors who today sit informally in other parts of the business, into a coherent Group Data function. * Establish the working practices, documentation and knowledge transfer needed so the function is not dependent on any single individual. **Stakeholder Management \& Governance Participation** * Partner closely with the business \- Finance today, as executive sponsor of Project Helix programme, and other functions as the platform's scope extends \- to translate reporting requirements into a durable data architecture rather than one\-off reports. * Represent data topics in the Group AI \& Data Council, chaired by the CIO, and ensure AI use cases are built on governed, trustworthy data rather than ad hoc extracts. * Build trusted working relationships with Regional IT leads and local business stakeholders across Portugal, France, Ireland, Spain and Italy, respecting local ways of working while driving convergence on group standards. **Candidate Profile** **Essential** * Hands\-on experience in data architecture and engineering * Able and willing to personally build pipelines, data models and reports * Proven track record designing and implementing modern data architectures: data lake / warehouse separation, lake\-house or medallion patterns, and migration away from legacy on\-premise ETL. * Experience with the Microsoft Fabric ecosystem (OneLake, Data Factory / pipelines, Power BI semantic models, Purview) or clearly transferable Azure Synapse / data platform experience — current, practitioner\-level. * Demonstrated ownership of a data governance programme: data catalog, data quality, master data management, ownership/RACI frameworks \- DAMA\-aligned practice is a plus. * Substantial experience managing external vendors and consultancies: running RFQs/RFPs, negotiating contracts, and holding delivery partners accountable. * Experience building or significantly growing a data team, including hiring, coaching and career development. * Comfortable operating in a decentralised, multi\-entity, multi\-ERP environment. * Working knowledge of GDPR and data\-privacy practice across multiple EU jurisdictions. **Highly Valued** * Experience with financial or ERP\-adjacent data (consolidation, chart of accounts, cost centres). * Exposure to Business Central or comparable mid\-market ERPs, even without owning them directly. * Prior experience in an industrial, manufacturing or engineering group. * Familiarity with data\-foundation work in preparation for AI/ML use cases. **Languages** * Fluent English and Spanish a key requirement. * Working knowledge of French, Italian and/or Portuguese an advantage **Location \& Travel** * Based in Madrid, Spain. * Occasional travel to Group sites in Portugal, France and Ireland may be required.