Soho, London 

Hybrid working: 2 days in the office per week Tues – Thurs

The Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Director of Data to lead a team of data product owners, data engineers, data scientists and software engineers that deliver data initiatives at a leading online sports content and gambling business. The ideal candidate will have relevant industry experience, a robust background in software engineering management, extensive experience in data science and data governance, and a strong understanding of regulatory compliance within high-volume data environments.

As our Director of Data, you will be instrumental in shaping the data architecture, quality, and strategy to support the growth and sustainability of our operations. The data team provides access to data for various business units, where insights analysts, employed by these units, analyse the data to make informed decisions. As the team leader, you will serve as the escalation point for the Heads of these departments.

LiveScore Group is home to LiveScore, LiveScore Bet and Virgin Bet, three of the most exciting brands in the sports and gaming industries today. We are passionate and excited about what we do in the Sports Media, Gaming and Betting sector and are proud of the high ratings we have achieved. We live our values, aiming to enhance and increase the enjoyment of sport through innovative products and immersive experiences. Trust is important in how we work, ensuring we are a collaborative unit who holds each other accountable. Relentlessly ambitious in everything we do, we embrace change and understand that failure is part of success.

We use our platform for positive social change and work to build a company our employees are proud to work for. We have a long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our I.D.E.A (Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, Awareness) Forum is critical to our business and is embedded in our organisational structure to support a sense of belonging for everyone and to create a culture that allows all employees to thrive.

We know a job description can often deter an applicant who does not believe they match 100% of our requirements. If you are interested in this position and have relevant experience, then we would still love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the design and management of the data warehouse and its integrations across various platforms, ensuring robust, scalable, and efficient data solutions.
• Develop and enforce best practices in data governance, including compliance with ISO27001 and other relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Ensure adherence to the group Software Development Lifecycle, working with the various leaders of other engineering departments to continuously evaluate and improve its effectiveness.
• Design and implement comprehensive data strategies that align with the organisation’s objectives and regulatory requirements of the online gambling industry.
• Manage a team of data professionals and engineers, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and collaborative problem solving.
• Oversee the capacity management of all data systems and teams to ensure they meet the needs of a rapidly growing, high-volume online business.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to identify and prioritise data-driven initiatives that support business goals.
• Ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data throughout the organisation.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to data quality, efficiency, and compliance and costs.
• Cultivate and sustain partnerships with providers of data infrastructure tools, negotiating agreements that meet our needs and reduce expenses effectively.
• Oversee the budget for data-related expenses and project future costs. Regularly compare actual spending to these forecasts and spearhead efforts to decrease expenses when feasible.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and technological advancements to continuously enhance the organisation’s data capabilities.
• Negotiate SLA’s with data consumers in order to drive effective incident and problem management.
• Reporting to senior management on all aspects of the department.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Proven commercial experience in senior leadership level data management roles
• Experience in running software development projects, with knowledge of Continuous Delivery and Integration.
• Demonstrable use of Infrastructure as Code to automate data pipelines.
• Proven track record in managing high-volume data warehouses and implementing large-scale data projects.
• Strong technical proficiency with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and data engineering technologies.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO27001, data protection laws, and regulatory compliance requirements in the online gambling industry.
• Exceptional leadership and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively with cross-functional teams and senior management.
• A strong background in data science and machine learning will be beneficial.

What can we offer? 

• Company Performance bonus
• Hybrid working for all staff with flexible working opportunities
• Private Healthcare scheme + Employee Enhanced Assistance
• Enhanced Family Leave - Maternity, Shared Parental & Adoption Leave: up to 6 months at full pay and 6 months at half pay. Paternity leave: up to 4 weeks at full pay
• Subsidised gym membership
• Ride to Work & Annual Travel Card loan scheme
• Life Assurance (x3 salary)
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Thursday drinks in the office and regular socials