Data Delivery Manager

CONTRACT - Inside IR35 £600-650 PER DAY STARTING: IMMEDIATELY DURATION: INITIALLY 3 MONTHS (Subject to extension) We're looking for an experienced Data Delivery Manager to lead the delivery of data and analytics initiatives across a complex, cloud-based data environment, with a particular focus on federated analytics, data products and AI-enabled capabilities. You'll work across business domains, product owners, data engineering, architecture and governance teams to coordinate the delivery of reliable, secure and reusable data products. You'll help teams overcome data silos, manage dependencies across data integration and ETL/ELT pipelines, and ensure data is accessible to the right people for analytics and AI use cases. This role requires a strong Agile delivery background, hands-on Jira experience and the ability to communicate complex delivery challenges clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Key Responsibilities Data & Analytics Delivery

• Lead end-to-end delivery of data, analytics and AI-related initiatives across multiple teams and business domains.
• Coordinate work across data engineering, analytics, architecture, product and governance teams.
• Manage dependencies between source systems, data integration processes, ETL/ELT pipelines and downstream data products.
• Drive delivery across distributed or federated data environments, ensuring teams work towards shared outcomes and standards.
• Track milestones, risks, blockers, resource requirements and delivery progress. Federated Analytics & Data Products
• Coordinate the delivery and ongoing development of data products that support business reporting, advanced analytics and AI use cases.
• Work with domain teams and product owners to manage data product backlogs, priorities and delivery roadmaps.
• Support collaboration between teams that own, produce and consume data across different business areas.
• Help resolve dependencies and delivery challenges caused by fragmented data sources, siloed teams or complex data flows.
• Ensure delivery considers data quality, accessibility, interoperability and appropriate ownership. Agile Delivery & Jira
• Lead Agile delivery practices, including sprint planning, stand-ups, backlog refinement, reviews and retrospectives.
• Use Jira hands-on to manage epics, user stories, sprint backlogs, dependencies, blockers and delivery reporting.
• Work with Product Owners and technical leads to prioritise work and maintain realistic delivery plans.
• Monitor delivery metrics, identify bottlenecks and drive continuous improvement.
• Balance planned delivery against changing business priorities and competing demands. Data Security, Governance & Quality
• Ensure data security, privacy, access controls and governance requirements are considered throughout delivery.
• Coordinate with data owners, governance specialists and security teams to manage risks and compliance dependencies.
• Track delivery of data quality, lineage, documentation and testing requirements.
• Ensure appropriate controls are addressed before data products are released for wider use or AI applications.
• Maintain clear delivery documentation, decisions, risks and audit trails. Stakeholder Management & Reporting
• Build strong relationships with business stakeholders, technical teams, product owners and senior leadership.
• Produce clear delivery updates, RAID reports, roadmaps and presentations using PowerPoint.
• Communicate complex technical dependencies, delivery risks and recommendations in a straightforward, business-focused way.
• Present progress, challenges and proposed actions confidently to senior stakeholders.
• Drive accountability and alignment across teams with competing priorities. Essential Experience
• Proven experience delivering data, analytics or data platform initiatives as a Data Delivery Manager, Data Project Manager or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience with federated analytics, federated data environments or distributed data and analytics delivery. Experience with data mesh or domain-owned data products would be highly relevant.
• Experience delivering data products, analytics capabilities or data integration initiatives across multiple teams or business domains.
• Strong, practical Jira experience, including backlog management, sprint tracking, dependencies and delivery reporting.
• Experience coordinating data engineering or data integration work, including ETL/ELT pipelines, source systems and downstream data consumption.
• Understanding of data security, data governance, access controls and data quality requirements.
• Experience working with Product Owners, data engineers, architects and business stakeholders in Agile environments.
• Strong stakeholder management, risk management and dependency management skills.
• Confident preparation and delivery of senior-level PowerPoint presentations and delivery reports.
• Ability to explain technical delivery challenges clearly without needing to undertake hands-on engineering. Desirable Experience
• Experience delivering AI, machine learning or advanced analytics initiatives.
• Experience in data mesh, federated governance, domain-driven data ownership or cross-domain data sharing.
• Exposure to cloud data platforms and technologies such as Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Power BI or equivalent.
• Experience delivering data warehouse, data lake or modern data platform initiatives.
• Familiarity with data modelling, data lineage, data catalogues and data product lifecycle management.
• Experience managing data security or privacy requirements in a regulated or complex enterprise environment.
• Relevant Agile, Scrum, PRINCE2 or project delivery qualifications. Personal Attributes
• Highly organised, proactive and accountable for delivery outcomes.
• Comfortable operating between technical teams and senior business stakeholders.
• Able to manage ambiguity, competing priorities and complex inter-team dependencies.
• Confident challenging delivery plans, escalating risks and driving decisions.
• Clear communicator who can turn complex technical information into concise, actionable updates.