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Chief data officer

Find out what a chief data officer in the Senior Civil Service does and the skills you need to do the role.

Last updated 30 November 2024 — See all updates

Contents

What a chief data officer does

A chief data officer ensures the organisation can use data to make better decisions, policies and services. They create an environment where data protection and privacy is balanced with access, sharing and innovation.

In this role, you will:

  • define a vision and strategy for data that enables the organisation to achieve its objectives and aligns with wider government data strategy
  • lead the organisation in implementing the data strategy
  • work with senior leaders to align priorities and secure their support
  • determine the data and data technology that the organisation needs and the strategy for sourcing it
  • ensure data can be easily used, reused and shared by those who need it
  • improve the quality of data used across the organisation
  • ensure the organisation uses data ethically and complies with data standards and regulations
  • increase data literacy and ensure data is properly managed by coaching the whole organisation
  • work with cyber security to ensure data is secure while staying accessible and controllable
  • ensure the organisation has people with the level of data skills it needs

A specific chief data officer job can vary depending on the context and challenges in your organisation.

This role is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:

  • SCS 1 (Senior Civil Service 1)
  • SCS 2 (Senior Civil Service 2)

Skills for chief data officer

The chief data officer role will need to use digital and data skills to:

Skill Description, including examples of leadership

Strategic data planning

You can:

  • develop an organisational data strategy that supports the organisation’s objectives
  • identify underlying causes of data challenges faced by other leaders and make strategic recommendations to resolve them
  • decide what data technologies and changes are needed to better support organisational strategy

Examples of leadership using this skill:

  • aligning the data strategy and organisational strategy to create shared direction and increased trust
  • changing operations in the organisation to be more aware of, and driven by, data
  • changing the organisation’s view of data so it is viewed as an asset, not a risk or liability

Data architecture

You can:

  • identify and document where your organisation's data comes from and how it is shared
  • assess current data systems in the organisation and the technology they use
  • determine the data architecture the organisation needs to achieve organisational objectives

Examples of leadership using this skill:

  • building relationships with parts of the organisation that protect access to data
  • working with all areas of the organisation to ensure the data architecture works for everyone and any change is accepted
  • relating data architecture to strategic objectives or important user needs to gain investment

Data governance leadership

You can:

  • review the organisation’s roles, responsibilities, policies, standards and attitudes to data
  • decide the work needed to improve data governance, taking into account effort, reward and risk
  • guide decision making on the most appropriate methods of implementing governance
  • put in place data governance processes that ensure compliance and minimise risk

Examples of leadership using this skill:

  • working with senior stakeholders to agree the level of risk the organisation is willing to tolerate
  • getting senior stakeholders to prioritise improving data governance despite competing or changing priorities
  • building stakeholders' confidence in new owners of data assets, for example, through training plans

Data risk management

You can:

  • put in place processes that identify and document risks across the organisation and embed them into wider governance processes
  • make plans to deal with issues caused by different types of risks
  • use risk assessments to monitor data quality and compliance and whether risks are decreasing

Examples of leadership using this skill:

  • getting owners of data assets to take responsibility for risks
  • helping people use risk assessment results to make decisions instead of relying on opinion
  • creating an environment where risk standards, policies and processes are valued
  • encouraging the organisation to use and share data whilst ensuring data is appropriately protected

Innovation in digital and data

You can:

  • detect and analyse early trends in technology, data or cyber security that could be important for your organisation
  • advise the organisation on the implications of new technologies and uses of data, such as ethical, security or legal implications
  • support teams to identify opportunities for innovation
  • introduce technologies and methods that address shared problems

Examples of leadership using this skill:

  • building trust and credibility with stakeholders by demonstrating the relevance of new technologies or methods to address organisational challenges
  • helping people at all levels of your organisation understand the potential benefits and risks of changes
  • persuading other leaders to support and invest in innovation

Capability building for digital and data teams

You can:

  • guide the organisation to ensure it has the technical, security or data skills it needs
  • develop organisational processes and ways of working so that digital and data roles you support can thrive
  • continuously improve and optimise the organisational environment

Examples of leadership using this skill:

  • prioritising capability needs that will have the most impact
  • negotiating for longer-term investment in people by articulating the risks and benefits of different staffing strategies
  • advocating for good practice in ways of working and supporting people to adopt this practice
  • growing digital and data communities

Roles that share chief data officer skills

Role Shared skills
Chief information security officer

Innovation in digital and data

Capability building for digital and data teams
Chief technology officer

Innovation in digital and data

Capability building for digital and data teams

Updates

Published 7 October 2024

Last updated 30 November 2024

30 November 2024

The role description for chief data officer has been updated. The list of typical responsilbities for the role makes clear that the strategy for your organisation's data should align with wider government data strategy.

7 October 2024

First published.