Data Service Line Lead

Job Description

The Data Service Line Lead is a strategic and influential position responsible for defining, driving, and continuously refining Version 1’s go-to-market approach for data services and solutions. This individual will own the vision, strategy, and execution plan that transforms how Version 1 positions and delivers data offerings to clients, ensuring alignment with market trends, emerging technologies, and our broader organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Assess Current Data Landscape
   1. Map and evaluate existing offerings, accelerators, skills, references, and partnerships to understand Version 1’s current state of data capabilities.
   2. Identify gaps and opportunities within the existing portfolio, ensuring a foundation for future innovation.
2. Conduct Market Research
   1. Stay informed on data trends, emerging technologies, and niche market opportunities relevant to Version 1’s target industries and customers.
   2. Analyse competitor positioning and recommend strategic differentiators that align with the company’s vision.
3. Develop Data Vision & Strategy
   1. Formulate a compelling, forward-looking data strategy that integrates partnerships, accelerators, methodologies, and a reference architecture.
   2. Articulate clear “why” and “how” behind the strategy, highlighting its alignment with overall company goals and customer needs.
4. Shape Go-to-Market Narrative
   1. Collaborate with sales specialists to translate the data strategy into a powerful, customer-centric narrative.
   2. Create go-to-market collateral, including pitch decks, brochures, and thought leadership content, to communicate this vision internally and externally.
5. Enable Delivery Teams & Partners
   1. Work closely with delivery teams and partners to ensure readiness for the new go-to-market approach, including organising resources, upskilling, and planning for demand.
   2. Establish frameworks and best practices for the successful delivery of data projects and solutions.
6. Support Pre-Sales Engagements
   1. Act as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert (SME) for prospective clients and internal stakeholders.
   2. Participate in pre-sales discussions, solution scoping, and proposal development to showcase Version 1’s data capabilities.
7. Drive Transformational Change
   1. Own and champion the data agenda, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
   2. Measure and report on the impact of data initiatives, refining the approach as necessary to meet evolving market demands.

Qualifications

Expected Experience & Skills

1. Strategic Data Leadership
   1. Proven track record in defining and implementing data strategies or data transformation programs in a leadership or advisory capacity.
   2. Strong familiarity with data architecture, data engineering, analytics, big data, AI/ML, and related emerging technologies.
2. Market Insight & Research
   1. Experience conducting market analysis and identifying opportunities for growth within the data services domain.
   2. Ability to synthesize industry trends into actionable insights for strategic decision-making.
3. Go-to-Market & Sales Collaboration
   1. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with sales and marketing teams to develop compelling narratives and collateral.
   2. Proficiency in creating and communicating value propositions, solution messaging, and positioning statements.
4. Partnership & Ecosystem Management
   1. Strong history of building and managing relationships with technology partners (e.g., cloud providers, data platform vendors).
   2. Capable of integrating third-party offerings into overarching strategies to add value and enhance customer outcomes.
5. Delivery Enablement & Team Leadership
   1. Experience working with delivery teams to prepare for new offerings, including resource planning, training, and methodology development.
   2. Proven track record of mentoring and guiding cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact data solutions.
6. Stakeholder Management & Communication
   1. Excellent communicator with the ability to influence senior executives and build consensus around strategic directions.
   2. Skilled at conveying complex ideas simply and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
7. Results-Driven & Adaptable
   1. A performance mindset with an ability to set clear goals, measure outcomes, and pivot strategies as needed.
   2. Comfortable with ambiguity and adept at navigating and driving change in evolving market conditions.

Additional Information

Why Version 1?

At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability.

• Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company's profits.
• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme.
• Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance.
• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Pension, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme.
• Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more. Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies.
• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat.
• Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & ‘Call-Out’ platform.
• Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes.

And many more exciting benefits… drop us a note to find out more.

Laura Cowan

#LI-LC1