Data Operations Lead (fixed term)

Do you believe in the power of data to improve people’s lives? Do you want to enable exciting data driven research to take place securely and for the public good? Research Data Scotland needs you!

At Research Data Scotland (RDS), we’re on a mission to unlock the potential of public sector data—securely, responsibly, and for the benefit of everyone in Scotland. As we prepare to scale, we’re looking for an experienced Data Operations Lead to bridge strategy and delivery, leading the team to structure, embed and bring consistency to our data operations processes.

About the job

RDS is undertaking an exciting programme of work to transform the current system of data access for research in Scotland across partners delivering Administrative Data Research – Scotland (ADR-S), part of the wider Administrative Data Research UK (ADR UK) is a programme funded by the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (part of UK Research and Innovation). ADR UK works with government (UK and devolved) to create linked, research datasets from administrative data sources, so that impactful research can be delivered both by government and the wider research community. In turn, this evidence base enables government to make policy that supports economic growth and better public services to improve people’s lives – across all four nations of the UK.  The ambitions of ADR UK are being delivered in Scotland through the ADR Scotland programme. 

Research Data Scotland (RDS) is entering a critical phase of maturity, moving from establishment into delivery at scale. This role sits at the centre of that transition. Funded through the ADR Scotland programme, the Data Operations Lead will be responsible for leading the delivery of high-quality, research-ready data within ADR Scotland, while helping shape the future model for data operations across RDS. The role will play a key part in establishing RDS as a trusted data steward within the ADR Programme and across the Scottish research data ecosystem, ensuring that the data operations of the programme is managed, processed and made available in a way that is transparent, consistent and scalable. This role will help move the ADR Scotland programme towards a more programmatic, transparent and collaborative delivery model, focussed on system-wide improvement.

This role leads a small but highly skilled technical team and work closely with colleagues across data sourcing, portfolio management and information governance to ensure smooth end-to-end data flow. It works extensively with external partners across ADR Scotland, Scottish Government, National Records of Scotland, Public Health Scotland, EPCC and the wider UK research data ecosystem.

This role requires someone who can combine technical understanding, delivery leadership and stakeholder management, and who is comfortable operating in a complex environment with evolving priorities and diverse stakeholders.

About you

You’re an experienced leader who enjoys bringing structure, consistency and quality to operational delivery. You’re an established and credible data professional motivated by improvement and you take pride in building repeatable, well‑run processes that help teams work efficiently and with confidence.

You have a strong people‑leadership mindset, with the ability to set clear direction, support and develop others, and to lead teams through change. You understand how to balance pace with quality, ensuring data operations is delivered to agreed standards while continuously improving ways of working.

You’re comfortable working across functions and organisations, collaborating with data sourcing, governance and analytics colleagues to translate new processes into practical, day‑to‑day operations. You communicate clearly, manage priorities effectively, and can navigate complexity and challenging conversations with senior stakeholders while keeping outcomes front of mind.

About us

Research Data Scotland (RDS) is a charity set up by the Scottish public sector and leading universities. We help researchers find and make use of data that can improve the lives of people in Scotland. Working in partnership, we do this by widening the range of data available, creating new data assets and providing a single point of contact for safe, secure and effective access to public data in a trustworthy manner.