ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by 9 August 2026 at 11:55PM

Please ensure that you read the full advert text and do not submit a CV, as these will be disregarded as they do not form part of SLC application process. If you require to submit additional information to support your application, please upload this under supporting documents.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY VIA OPPORTUNITY MARKETPLACE.

Location: Council Headquarters, Hamilton
Hours: 35 hours per week, fixed term for 18 months
Work Pattern: Monday - Thursday 8.45am - 4.45pm, Friday 8.45am - 4.15pm
Salary: £54,783 - £59,911 per year

South Lanarkshire Council is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Data Lead to play a pivotal role in driving our digital transformation journey.

Data is one of the Council's most valuable assets, underpinning service delivery, performance management, strategic planning and customer engagement. As our Data Lead, you will lead the development of a Council-wide approach to data governance, quality, management and insight, helping ensure that data is trusted, accessible, secure and used effectively to improve outcomes for our communities.

About the Role

Reporting to the IT Business Systems Manager, you will be responsible for promoting the accuracy, integrity and security of the Council's data assets. Working across services, you will further develop and implement the council’s data framework, improve data quality standards, support data-driven decision making and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and policies.

You will provide strategic leadership on data management and work collaboratively with colleagues across the council to establish best practice, build data capability and maximise the value of information assets.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the Council's data future and influence how information is used to drive service improvement, efficiency and innovation.

Duties will include but are not limited to:

Lead the further development and implementation of the Council's data framework.
Drive improvements in data quality, consistency and accessibility across services.
Support the development of policies, standards and processes for effective data management.
Provide expert advice on data governance, information management and compliance matters.
Work with service areas to identify opportunities to use data to improve outcomes, performance and efficiency.
Promote a culture of data literacy and evidence-based decision making.
Support business intelligence, reporting and analytical initiatives.
Collaborate with stakeholders across the Council to deliver strategic data objectives.
Ensure data management practices align with legislative, regulatory and security requirements.

View the Data Lead job profile

About You

We are looking for a motivated and collaborative professional with:

Significant experience in data governance, data management, business intelligence or related disciplines.
Strong understanding of data quality, data standards, information governance and regulatory compliance.
Experience developing frameworks, policies and processes that support effective data management.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills.
The ability to influence and collaborate across organisational boundaries.
A passion for using data to drive service improvement and organisational change.
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex data concepts to a wide range of audiences.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to establish and lead the Council's data management capability at a time of significant digital transformation. You will have the opportunity to influence strategic direction, shape organisational data culture and make a meaningful contribution to improving services for residents across South Lanarkshire.

Join Us

If you are passionate about data, governance and delivering meaningful change through information and insight, we would welcome your application.

Help us turn data into better decisions, better services and better outcomes for South Lanarkshire.

Please answer the following questions as part of your application submission, your answers should be uploaded under supporting documents

Please describe your experience of developing and implementing data governance arrangements that have improved the quality, management and use of organisational data.
Please provide an example of how you have successfully engaged and influenced stakeholders to deliver a data, information or digital improvement initiative.
Please provide evidence of your experience in applying data protection, information governance and regulatory requirements within an organisational setting.
Please describe your experience of leading or supporting organisational change, digital transformation or service redesign, including the role data and insight played in achieving successful outcomes.

If you require to submit any further additional information to support your application (not a CV), please upload this under supporting documents.

Please Apply online - All correspondence will be via your email address

Preferred candidates identified after the selection event process will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, to ensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.

Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.

Legislative Information

This post is excepted in terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Scotland Act 2020.

Overseas Criminal Records Check

An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of 12 months in the past 10 years.

Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion statement

The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including under-represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, from a military service background and from those who are new Scots.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile for this position.

As proud holders of the UK Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the Council is also committed to supporting members of the armed forces community, including service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families. In line with this commitment, service leavers, their close family members, veterans and reservists will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile

As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:

Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
Up to 33 days annual leave
Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
Occupational sick pay
Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)

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