Data Governance and Intelligence Lead

Shape a faster, smarter, safer future.

Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It's a diverse and inclusive work environment where world-class talent knows no distinctions.

AtkinsRéalis, Balfour Beatty and Egis Road Operations UK are part of a consortium, creating Connect Plus Services, a unique partnership with a collective strength in highways asset care from finance, through to design, build, maintenance as well as day to day operation.

As the senior authority for data governance and strategic asset intelligence, the Data Governance & Intelligence Lead is responsible for defining and enforcing data quality, governance, and reporting standards that underpin the performance and resilience of our infrastructure asset portfolio. This role ensures that core systems—including RMMS—deliver trusted, actionable insights to support lifecycle planning, compliance, and investment decisions.

Your Purpose

Strategic Governance & Data Quality Leadership -

• Establish and lead the enterprise-wide data governance framework, ensuring alignment with standards such as ADMM, RMMS, Routine Winter Service Code, and the Network Management Manual.
• Define the data quality vision, metrics, and escalation pathways across all asset data types—including inventory, inspections, condition, and maintenance records.
• Oversee the enterprise data catalogue, ensuring asset-related data is classified, traceable, and secured through robust access controls and lifecycle protocols.
• Commission and approve root-cause investigations and systemic remediation programmes for persistent data quality failures.
• Ensure data governance processes are embedded in all system upgrades, audits, and data migrations, particularly in relation to RMMS and EAM platforms.
  
  

Oversight of Performance Intelligence & Asset Insight -

• Direct the development of enterprise reporting architecture, ensuring self-service dashboards and analytics pipelines meet internal operational needs and external reporting obligations (e.g., DBFO performance regimes).
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure strategic insights from RMMS, EAM, and other data sources inform asset renewal prioritisation, lifecycle modelling, and investment strategy.
• Sponsor innovation in performance intelligence—e.g., integration of predictive analytics, failure modelling, or risk-weighted performance tracking.
  
  

Functional Leadership & Capability Building -

• Provide strategic oversight of the Data Governance and Performance Manager and their team, including role definition, performance management, and development planning. Chair enterprise Data Governance Boards or Working Groups, and act as the senior point of accountability for data governance practices across the organisation.
• Drive data literacy, stewardship, and ownership across the asset, operations, and planning teams—ensuring that technical complexity is translated into clear, business-relevant narratives for decision-makers.
  
  

Assurance, Compliance & Continuous Improvement -

• Lead data assurance activity in support of regulatory and concession requirements, including periodic audits, validation checks, and readiness reviews. Ensure governance controls are monitored and updated in light of system changes, new standards, or lessons learned from performance reviews. Track emerging best practices across the industry and lead structured improvement initiatives to keep the organisation at the forefront of data maturity and asset intelligence.
  
  

What You Can Bring

Experience and desirable Attributes :

Strategic Data Governance Leadership -

• Proven track record in establishing and overseeing enterprise-wide data governance frameworks, including policies for data ownership, access control, lineage, and quality monitoring.
• Experience embedding governance within operational systems such as RMMS and EAM platforms, ensuring regulatory and service-level compliance.
  
  

Data Quality & Assurance Expertise -

• Deep experience leading data quality programmes across asset portfolios, including implementation of KPIs for completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and consistency.
• Skilled in initiating and governing root-cause investigations and data remediation plans, particularly in regulated environments.
  
  

Performance Reporting & Regulatory Alignment -

• Demonstrable experience developing and validating performance reports for concession contracts, regulated services, or government frameworks.
• Ability to structure insight products that align with DBFO obligations, concessionaire expectations, or national infrastructure KPIs.
  
  

Advanced Analytical and Technical Proficiency -

• Strong background in statistical analysis, diagnostic modelling, and the use of analytics to support asset management decisions.
• Hands-on experience in Python and/or R, SQL database interrogation, data modelling, and automation using scripting languages (e.g., VBA or Python).
  
  

Visualisation and Insight Communication -

• Proficient in the use of Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent platforms to develop dashboards that communicate strategic insight across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex datasets into clear, actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders, executive boards, or external partners.
  
  

Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement -

• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams or leading cross-functional working groups (e.g. Data Governance Boards).
• Strong influencing and communication skills, with a track record of building organisational data literacy and fostering a culture of accountability and improvement.
  
  

Desirable Attributes

• Background in infrastructure asset management, highways, regulated utilities, or public service operations.
• Familiarity with RMMS, EAM systems (e.g., Confirm, SAP, Maximo), and associated asset data models.
• Awareness of international data management standards (e.g., ISO 8000, DAMA DMBOK, FAIR Principles).
• Experience in leading digital transformation programmes involving data architecture or system migration.
• Understanding of lifecycle planning methodologies, risk modelling, and decision support tool environments.
  
  

Why work for AtkinsRéalis ?

Our Transportation teams are reinventing transport for a challenging yet exciting future. We're creating new ideas and smart solutions for cities, people and the environment. You'll be working alongside some of the top people in our industry, solving challenges that bring together traditional engineering and new technologies. As part of our organisation, you'll be in a privileged position, delivering what's right for governments and communities. You'll be helping us to improve our leading environmental performance while enabling others to do the same.

Security Clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support staff from different backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.