Data Governance, Knowledge and Information Management Lead

Salary: £49,817 - £54,143 | Grade: Level 9 | Contract: Permanent, full time | Location: Civic Centre Southend (Hybrid) | Closing date: 23rd October 2026

Make South Essex Homes' data something everyone can trust.

Every repair logged, complaint resolved and safety check completed tells a story about our residents' homes. When that data is accurate, joined up and well governed, we make better decisions, answer the Regulator and Ombudsman with confidence, and put things right faster for the people we serve.

We've set out an ambitious Data and Knowledge & Information Management (KIM) Strategy and a Data Improvement Delivery Plan. Now we need the person to lead it. This is a new leadership role, reporting directly to our Director of Finance & Corporate Services, with the scope to shape how South Essex Homes manages information for years to come.

What you'll do

  • Lead the strategy. Own delivery of the Data and KIM Strategy and build the roadmap for data governance, data quality and information management.
  • Build governance that works in practice. Set up the frameworks, standards and controls, and embed clear data ownership and stewardship with Directors, Data Owners and Data Stewards.
  • Raise the bar on data quality. Introduce quality measures, monitor performance and help services improve the completeness, accuracy and reliability of their data.
  • Bring order to our information. Maintain the Information Asset Register, map our approved sources and repositories, and champion good information lifecycle management.
  • Give assurance where it matters. Support audit, regulatory and Ombudsman requirements, and strengthen confidence in reporting on residents, homes, repairs, complaints, compliance and performance.
  • Lead and grow a team. Line manage our Reporting & Insight Specialist, run the delivery backlog, and coach colleagues across South Essex Homes to become more data-literate.

What you'll bring

  • Significant experience in data governance, data quality or information management.
  • A track record of leading organisational improvement programmes and managing staff or professional teams.
  • Confidence engaging with, influencing and constructively challenging senior stakeholders.
  • The ability to write practical policies, standards and governance frameworks.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, and a degree, professional qualifications or equivalent experience.
  • A resident-focused outlook and real professional integrity.

It would be great if you also have: housing sector experience; experience implementing data maturity or governance frameworks; a qualification in data management or information governance; knowledge of regulatory assurance; project or programme management skills; or familiarity with Power BI and modern reporting environments.

The full job description and person specification is available to view here:  Job Description Data Governance, Knowledge & Information Management Lead.pdf [pdf] 140KB

Why join us

You'll be building something new, with senior backing and a clear mandate. Your work will directly shape how South Essex Homes meets regulatory expectations and improves services for residents.

How to apply

Please send your CV and supporting statement (no more than one A4 page) to daniellyons@seh.southend.gov.uk 

For an informal conversation about the role, contact Daniel Lyons, daniellyons@seh.southend.gov.uk.

Closing date: 23rd October 2026.

Interviews: w/c 2nd November 2026.

South Essex Homes is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.