Head of Data, London, England

Gain Theory, a VML company, seeks a highly experienced and driven Global Head of Data to lead our global data strategy and operations. This critical leadership role requires a blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and strong people management skills within a matrixed global organization.

The Global Head of Data will be responsible for establishing and maintaining best practices, fostering a culture of innovation, driving the professional development of our data and analytics talent globally, and ensuring consistent standards and seamless collaboration across regions. This role will oversee both client-facing data management and internal Data Center of Excellence (DCOE) initiatives, ensuring high-quality data-driven insights that support Gain Theory’s business objectives and enhance client value.

Key Responsibilities:

• Global Data Strategy & Vision: Define and implement Gain Theory’s global data strategy, aligning it with overall Gain Theory and VML business objectives. Establish a clear vision for the future of data at Gain Theory, incorporating industry best practices and emerging technologies.
• DCOE Leadership: Oversee and drive global DCOE initiatives, including defining and scoping projects (e.g., common data sets, data training, best practices, tool standardization), coordinating with regional DCOE leads, and actively participating in data governance.
• Client Data Management: Oversee the design, delivery, and maintenance of robust data management solutions for clients globally. Ensure timely and accurate data collection, processing, and quality assurance across all client engagements.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, manage, and mentor a global team of data professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Oversee talent acquisition, training, performance management, and career development.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with client leads, modelers, analysts, designers, solution owners, and various COEs in a global matrix structure within Gain Theory and VML. Partner with DevOps, product, and engineering teams to drive cross-functional technology initiatives.
• Resource Management & Optimization: Develop and implement strategies to optimize the cost structure of global data operations, including exploring opportunities to leverage talent pools in lower-cost markets while maintaining high quality and service levels.
• Innovation & Thought Leadership: Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies in data and analytics. Promote Gain Theory’s and VML’s data expertise and thought leadership through external presentations, publications, and industry events.
• Performance Measurement & Reporting: Establish and monitor KPIs to track the performance of global data operations. Regularly report on progress to senior management, identifying areas for improvement and highlighting successes.
• VML Alignment: Ensure alignment and integration of Gain Theory’s data strategy and operations with VML’s broader data and analytics initiatives. Collaborate with relevant VML teams to leverage synergies and maximize the value of data across the organization.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a quantitative field (e.g., Business, Marketing, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Science, Engineering).
• Extensive experience in data management, analysis, and reporting, including working with diverse datasets, data processing tools (e.g., SQL, ETL), and robust QA processes.
• Deep understanding of the advertising ecosystem (ad servers, DSPs, media strategy, measurement, reporting, etc.).
• Experience leading requirements gathering, project planning, and implementation for both internal and client-side data projects.
• Strong project management skills, including managing timelines, risks, resources, and multiple simultaneous projects.
• Proven ability to manage and motivate teams in a global matrixed environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Experience with Multi-Touch Attribution, Market Mix Modeling, and reporting solutions (e.g., Tableau) highly valued.
• Familiarity with programming languages (Python, Java, R) and programming concepts a plus.
• 90-Day Plan:Days 1-30 (Assessment & Alignment): Meet with key stakeholders across Gain Theory, assess current global data capabilities and challenges, define initial priorities, and establish relationships with regional DCOE leads and relevant teams.
• Days 31-60 (Strategy & Planning): Develop a comprehensive global data strategy and roadmap, outlining key initiatives, timelines, and resource requirements, ensuring alignment with Gain Theory’s corporate strategy. Begin exploring talent optimization strategies and developing talent management plans.
• Days 61-90 (Implementation & Communication): Initiate key strategic initiatives (automation, team development, talent optimization strategy, etc.), establish performance tracking mechanisms, communicate the global data strategy to stakeholders across Gain Theory and VML.

OKRs:

• Data Quality: Increase client satisfaction with data deliverables’ accuracy and actionable insights by X%.
• Processing Speed: Reduce average data processing time for marketing effectiveness projects by X%.
• Team Scalability: Increase data team project capacity by X% while maintaining or improving per-project cost efficiency.
• Team Satisfaction: Increase data team member satisfaction scores by X%.

Who we are & what we do:

Gain Theory is a leading global marketing effectiveness and foresight consultancy. We combine quality data, proprietary technology, and advanced analytics to give our clients the confidence to make better informed investment decisions that drive growth.

Growth is the defining characteristic of successful organisation and Gain Theory’s vision is to accelerate growth for ambitious brands. We define ambitious brands as those that generate earnings/profits that are above the industry average. We deliver:

Data strategy, harmonization, and visualization.

Advanced analytics and modelling, including MMM, attribution and unified measurement, testing, segmentation, behavioural sciences, choice analytics, simulation, war gaming and forecasting.

High-touch consultancy that includes bespoke roadmaps, training and education, industry benchmarking and activation planning.

At Gain Theory, we love accelerating growth for ambitious brands and people. As a Gain Theorist, you will need to demonstrate behaviours which support our values.

Our values are: Be Curious, Be Positive, Act with Consideration and Make it Better. You can read more about our values here: www.gaintheory.com/our-culture-people-and-value

Gain Theory is committed to actively building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued and heard, and is treated with dignity and respect. As leaders and creative partners across industries, it is our responsibility to cultivate an environment reflective of our greatest asset; our people. We believe that this commitment inspires growth and delivers equitable outcomes for everyone as well as the clients and communities we serve.

Gain Theory is a WPP-owned consultancy. For more information, please visit please visit our website and follow Gain Theory on our social channels via LinkedIn and Twitter.

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