Data Manager

About Us
M&C Saatchi Performance is a global digital media agency connecting brands to people. We deliver business growth for our clients through effective measurable and evolving digital media strategies.

ROLE SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Data Manager to play a pivotal role in our global data transformation with a clear mandate to drive data unification collaboration and trust across the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead the definition and execution of a future-ready data governance and management strategy enabling consistent high-quality data that supports sustainable growth cross-business collaboration and evolving business and regulatory needs.

This role will ensure our data foundations are fit for purpose to support advanced analytics responsible AI adoption and modern data platforms at scale.

As a key contributor to our global IT strategy the Data Manager will report to the Global Head of Enterprise Infrastructure & Architecture and work closely with Information Security and business stakeholders worldwide to shape and evolve our long-term data landscape.

The role will balance strategic leadership with pragmatic execution embedding governance standards and ways of working that enable teams to share reuse and derive value from data with confidence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Data Strategy & Future Architecture

• Define and own the global data rationalisation and consolidation initiative aligned to modern cloud-first principles.

• Design a target-state data storage and governance model that is scalable secure and future-proof.

• Provide extensive expertise in modern data platforms storage technologies and industry best practices.

Data Analysis & Rationalisation

• Lead enterprise-wide data discovery and analysis identifying:

  • Redundant obsolete or trivial (ROT) data

  • Data duplication and uncontrolled growth

  • Misuse of storage platforms

• Conduct structured data analysis reviews and present clear evidence-based recommendations.

• Quantify risk cost compliance exposure and opportunity associated with current data platforms.

Data Consolidation & Migration

• Produce and maintain a clear phased roadmap for:

  • Data migrations

  • Platform consolidation

  • Decommissioning of legacy or redundant storage solutions

• Support end-to-end data migration initiatives ensuring minimal business disruption.

• Define success criteria and ensure migrations deliver tangible business outcomes.

Cloud Storage & Data Platforms

• Act as a subject-matter expert across cloud storage platforms including:

  • Microsoft 365 (SharePoint Teams and OneDrive)

  • Egnyte

  • Google Workspace

  • S3-compatible storage (AWS and Wasabi)

  • Traditional on-premises storage (SAN and NAS platforms)

• Define clear usage models for each platform including suitability for structured data collaboration long-term retention and AI consumption.

• Work closely with Infrastructure & Architecture and Information Security teams to ensure designs are secure compliant and cost-effective.

Data Governance Retention & Lifecycle

• Design and implement end-to-end data retention archiving and lifecycle management policies.

• Ensure data governance frameworks support:

  • Compliance and risk reduction

  • Data classification and sensitivity controls

  • Clear ownership and accountability

  • Controlled exposure of data to AI tools and services

• Embed governance into disparate platforms and processes.

AI Enablement for Data Platforms

• Deep understanding of how AI models consume analyse and depend on data.

• Ensure data is structured governed and retained in ways that enable responsible AI usage.

• Work with appropriate stakeholders to:

• Define which data is appropriate for AI use

• Prevent uncontrolled or unsafe AI access to data

• Ensure that data platforms comply with our AI guidelines and principles.

Reporting Communication & Influence

• Produce clear high-quality reporting and presentations for senior stakeholders.

• Translate complex technical solutions into straightforward business advice.

• Influence decision making across IT and the business through facts data analysis and clear reasoning.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

Core Experience

• Minimum 6 years experience in data management or related roles.

• Proven experience delivering data migration consolidation or large-scale data transformation initiatives.

• Strong hands-on experience with cloud storage and data platforms.

• Demonstrated experience implementing data retention archiving and lifecycle management strategies end-to-end.

• Experience producing data analysis outputs and migration roadmaps that drive real change.

Technical & Analytical Capability

• Strong understanding of data storage architectures cloud platforms and governance models.

• Proficient in data analysis tooling reporting and visualisation.

• Comfortable working with large complex datasets and extracting meaningful insights.

Strategic & Behavioural Skills

• Forward-thinking mindset designs for scale longevity and change.

• Able to operate comfortably between strategy and execution.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Pragmatic outcome-focused and comfortable challenging the status quo when needed.

DESIRABLE

• Experience working in global multi-region organisations.

• Exposure to information security compliance or data classification frameworks.

• Experience working alongside Enterprise Architecture or Information Security functions.

Certifications

• CDMP Practitioner (Certified Data Management Professional)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: AI Business Professional

MC Saatchi Performance as part of MC Saatchi Group has pledged its commitment to create a company that values difference with an inclusive culture. As part of this MC Saatchi Group continues to be an Equal Opportunity Employer which does not and shall not discriminate celebrates diversity and bases all hiring and promotion decisions solely on merit without regard for any personal characteristics.
All employee information is kept confidential according to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).