Head of Data

Job description

Head of Data

Location: George, Western Cape – Office-based (non-negotiable)

Not hybrid. Not remote. Not “open to discussion”.

If you’re not willing to relocate to George, this role is not for you.

About the role:

• ARC, part of the Badger Group, is looking for a Head of Data to lead our data function with clarity, structure, and accountability.
• This is a senior leadership role, not a hands-on technical specialist position.
• Your value lies in direction, delivery, governance, and people leadership, not writing code.
• You will own the data agenda end-to-end: setting priorities, aligning to business outcomes, embedding governance, and ensuring the team delivers what matters.

What you’ll be accountable for

Data leadership and delivery

• Lead and coordinate the full data function: data engineering, BI & analytics, and data science.
• Own and drive the data roadmap, ensuring delivery aligns with ARC and wider Badger Group priorities.
• Translate business needs into clear, executable data outcomes.
• Governance, control and quality
• Embed practical data governance, ownership, and accountability, not theory, real adoption.
• Ensure data controls, access management, and quality standards are applied consistently.
• Bring order and confidence to how data is managed and used.

Stakeholder partnership

• Partner closely with finance, operations, and group leadership on reporting and decision support.
• Communicate progress, risks, trade-offs, and delivery realities clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Be the trusted bridge between business and technical teams.

People leadership

• Lead, coach, and performance-manage the data team.
• Create clarity around roles, expectations, and outcomes.
• Build a calm, accountable, high-performance environment.

How the operating model works

• You lead outcomes, structure, and alignment across the data function.
• Deep technical mentorship is provided by an internal technical lead.
• External specialists may be engaged selectively where needed.
• This role is about direction and delivery, not hands-on coding.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in data science, computer science, statistics, or a related analytical field.
• Proven experience leading teams delivering data, analytics, or enterprise systems.
• Strong capability in change management and governance implementation.
• Comfortable engaging with senior executives and technical specialists.
• Clear, structured communicator with a strong outcome focus.

Advantageous

• MBA or master’s in information systems.
• Experience in complex or regulated environments.
• Exposure to enterprise-scale data or reporting environments.

Important to note

• Hands-on coding or deep technical expertise is not required.

Personal attributes we value

• Calm, structured leadership style.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Comfortable driving clarity in ambiguit
• Trusted by both technical teams and business leaders.
• Decisive, grounded, and delivery-focused.

Location: Read this carefully

This role is office-based in George, Western Cape.
Relocation is required if you are not already based in George.
This is non-negotiable.

If you’re a data leader who thrives on clarity, execution, and impact and you’re ready to build something meaningful from George this is your seat at the table.

Badger doesn’t do noise.
We do outcomes.

Posted on 20 Jan 13:41, Closing date 18 Feb