Senior Data Asset Manager

Job summary

As Senior Data Asset Manager, you will play a leading role in how Companies House defines, documents and governs its data assets. Working within the Data Directorate, you will help develop and maintain a trusted data catalogue, strengthen metadata, business rules and data lineage and support colleagues across the organisation to understand and use data with confidence. This is a hands-on leadership role, combining technical data analysis, stakeholder engagement and team management to improve the way data supports operational delivery, transformation, assurance and public trust.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of standards for metadata, business rules, data ownership and data lineage.
• Shape and maintain a trusted data catalogue that supports operational delivery, transformation and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with Data Quality teams to help drive meaningful improvements through data insights and business rules.
• Use technical skills to investigate data flows, validate information and understand the impact of change.
• Translate complex data concepts and analysis into clear, user-friendly information.
• Lead and develop a team, building capability and supporting high performance.
• Contribute to data governance, influencing decision-making and helping to manage organisational risk.

This role offers a real opportunity to make an impact on how data is managed and used while developing your technical expertise and leadership skills.

About Companies House

Companies House holds one of the largest sources of data in the UK, supporting transparency, economic research and public trust. As we continue to evolve through legislative reform, the need for well-governed, trusted and clearly defined data has never been more important.

Why choose Companies House?

We take a proactive approach to wellbeing, promoting a welcoming culture and healthy work-life balance.

Our benefits include:

• Flexible working with no core hours (between 6am and 8pm)
• 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Civil Service Pension scheme, with an average employer contribution of 28%
• A strong focus on career development and progression

Find out more about what a great place Companies House is to work.

Give yourself the best opportunity to apply!

Join our Outreach team for an informal 'Find out more' session on Thursday 16th July between 12:30 - 13:15.

No need to register, just click on this link to hear about what a great role and team this is and gain tips to help you apply. Cameras and microphones will be switched off - so you're welcome to dial in whilst you enjoy your lunch!

Job description

Please note

• You will be based at either our Cardiff or Edinburgh office where you will be expected to attend on a regular basis.
• Companies House cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.
• Security Check (SC) Clearance is an essential requirement (you must have been present in the UK for at least 3 out of the last 5 years). Please see 'Things you need to know' section below for more information.
• We can accept applications for those looking to work full time, part time or compressed hours, a minimum of 30 hours over 4 days per week.

The successful candidate will

• Take senior ownership of the organisation’s data catalogue, setting clear direction for how data assets, metadata and data lineage are defined, documented and governed
• Bring strong technical expertise, including SQL, to investigate and understand data flows across systems
• Be confident working with a wide range of stakeholders, translating complex data into simple, easy‑to‑understand documentation
• Lead and develop a team, providing clear direction, coaching and support
• Act as a trusted expert, able to handle complex or sensitive data decisions

Key responsibilities of the post include

• Establishing and continuously improving organisation-wide standards for metadata, data definitions, business rules, data ownership and data lineage
• Ensuring the data catalogue is a trusted and reliable asset that supports operational delivery, transformation, assurance activity and regulatory requirements
• Leading the approach to business rule documentation, making sure rules are clear, consistent and reflect how data is used in practice
• Acting as a senior escalation point for complex or contentious data definition decisions
• Carrying out hands-on data analysis using SQL to investigate, validate and understand end-to-end data flows and system impacts
• Translating technical findings into clear, accessible documentation for both technical and non-technical audiences
• Managing team priorities and ensuring delivery of high-quality outputs while building capability in data asset management across the team
• Contributing to wider data governance activity, working with Data Owners, Information Asset Owners, delivery teams and technical specialists
• Providing expert advice to senior stakeholders on data risks, dependencies and organisational impact

This is a post that offers the opportunity to

• Shape how data is managed and used across Companies House
• Influence decision-making at a senior level
• Develop and improve data standards that have organisation-wide impact
• Lead and grow a high-performing data-focused team
• Work on complex, meaningful challenges that support transparency, insight and public trust
• Be part of an organisation committed to continuous improvement and staff development

About the team

You'll be joining a forward-thinking and supportive team at the heart of how data is managed and used across Companies House. It's an exciting time to join us as we continue to transform our services, with data playing a key role in shaping our future.

Our team is focused on building high-quality, trusted data assets that support decision-making, operational delivery and organisational change. We use Agile ways of working and encourage a culture of continuous improvement, where new ideas are welcomed and valued.

We're a collaborative and inclusive team, working closely with colleagues across the Data Directorate, digital teams and wider business areas. There is a strong sense of teamwork, whether we're sharing knowledge, solving complex problems or improving the way we work.

We encourage people to challenge, learn and grow, giving you the opportunity to work on meaningful projects and influence how data is managed across the organisation.

We also recognise the importance of work-life balance and support flexible ways of working, including part-time and job share opportunities where possible.

Most importantly, you'll be part of a team that values people, invests in development and creates an environment where everyone feels supported to do their best work.

Person specification

What we’re looking for

• Data asset management, metadata management, or data governance in a complex organisation including experience implementing or embedding data catalogues or metadata tooling at scale.
• Experience of line management and leading specialist teams.
• Proven experience leading the definition and documentation of business rules and data lineage.
• Strong hands on experience using SQL to interrogate databases and understand data flows and structures.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, usable guidance for colleagues across a range of grades.
• Experience of developing and applying data management or data governance frameworks to maintain data quality, assurance or audit processes.
• Translation of technical analysis into high‑quality, accessible documentation suitable for both technical and non‑technical users.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Data asset management, metadata management, or data governance in a complex organisation including experience implementing or embedding data catalogues or metadata tooling at scale.
• Proven experience leading the definition and documentation of business rules and data lineage
• Strong hands on experience using SQL to interrogate databases and understand data flows and structures
• Experience of developing and applying data management or data governance frameworks to maintain data quality, assurance or audit processes
• Translation of technical analysis into high‑quality, accessible documentation suitable for both technical and non‑technical users

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,540, Companies House contributes £15,510 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We believe that our success is driven by the well-being and satisfaction of our team members at all levels of the organisation. At Companies House we’re committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary, ensuring your career journey with us is not only fulfilling, but also rewarding. We pride ourselves on offering a quality work-life balance with our employee wellbeing being central to our working practices.

Head to Our benefits - Working for us - Recruitment (companieshouse.gov.uk) to find out more about the fantastic benefits package we have at Companies House.

We celebrate diversity...

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate diversity, being committed to ensuring we’re representative of the citizens we serve and creating an inclusive environment. Everyone in Companies House brings something different, and so will you. To fulfil our commitment to recruiting and attracting diverse talent we welcome applications from underrepresented groups. We also welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

We are proud to be a disability confident leader. Our recruitment process is fully inclusive and we can make adjustments as needed through our process. These could include having an interview buddy, extra time at interviews/assessments and receiving interview questions in advance, to name a few.

If you require any reasonable adjustments at application stage, or if you'd like to discuss any person-centred adjustments, please contact us by emailing recruitmentCH@companieshouse.gov.uk.

Read our 'Applying under the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS)' guide to find out how to successfully complete an application under the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS).

Where will you be working?

You will be based at either our Cardiff or Edinburgh office where you will be expected to attend on a regular basis. We are currently using a hybrid approach to the way we work which provides opportunities for you to be adaptable in the way you work so that you can achieve a healthy balance between your work and home life. The degree of choice you have will depend on your role and your day-to-day work activities. Your manager will agree regular patterns of attendance with you, however you may be required to make yourself available to attend the office more frequently when required to meet business needs.

Occasional travel to other office locations, particularly Cardiff, may be required.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Key dates (dates are indicative only and could be subject to change)

• Closing date - 27th July 2026, at 23:55
• Sifting - w/c 27th July 2026 onwards
• Interviews - w/c 17th August 2026, via Microsoft Teams

Communications will be electronic via email therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.

What will the process look like?

Stage 1- Sift

An initial sift of applications will be carried out to create a shortlist. This will be based on the evidence provided for the following Success Profile elements: Experience, Behaviours & Technical Skills

In your application form we’d like you to:

1. Tell us about your employment history, including any key responsibilities and achievements
2. Provide a 250-word example to demonstrate the Technical Skill: Data asset management, metadata management, or data governance in a complex organisation including experience implementing or embedding data catalogues or metadata tooling at scale.
3. Provide a 250-word example to demonstrate the behaviour Leadership: Experience of line management and leading specialist teams
4. Provide a 250-word example to demonstrate the Technical Skill: Proven experience leading the definition and documentation of business rules and data lineage
5. Provide a 250-word example to demonstrate the Technical Skill: Strong hands on experience using SQL to interrogate databases and understand data flows and structures
6. Provide a 250-word example to demonstrate the behaviour Communicating and Influencing: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, usable guidance for colleagues across a range of grades
7. Provide a 250-word example to demonstrate the Technical Skill: Experience of developing and applying data management or data governance frameworks to maintain data quality, assurance or audit processes
8. Provide a 250-word example to demonstrate the Technical Skill: Translation of technical analysis into high‑quality, accessible documentation suitable for both technical and non‑technical users

Please use as much of the available word count as possible in each section to show how you meet the criteria.

When answering, give clear and specific examples of what you personally did, explaining the actions you took and the results or impact of your work.

We’re committed to being diverse and inclusive, so please make your application anonymous by removing all identifying personal information (such as your name and age) from your personal statement.

Please note: In the case of a large number of applications, before conducting a full sift as described above, the panel may conduct a pre-sift assessing all applications against the following Technical Skill: Data asset management, metadata management, or data governance in a complex organisation including experience implementing or embedding data catalogues or metadata tooling at scale.

Once the advert has closed, we will sift applications - this involves reading through them all, please bear with us as this can take some time.

We may raise the score required if we receive a high number of applications.

At sift we may choose to take through the highest performing candidates to the next stage. If, after the final stage is completed and roles are unfilled, we will proceed to invite lower scoring candidates to interview.

Stage 2- Interview

Companies House uses a blended interview technique, allowing us to find out more about you. We use the Success Profile framework and at interview we will use Success Profiles assessing the Behaviours and Technical skills listed in the advert. We will also be assessing Strengths during the interview. We don't share the specific Strengths being assessed during the interview because we want to see your natural, authentic responses and understand how you genuinely approach situations. Successful candidates from the sift stage will be invited to a virtual interview, which will be conducted using Microsoft Teams.

There will be an activity as part of the interview process which will assess the following Technical Skill: Translation of technical analysis into high‑quality, accessible documentation suitable for both technical and non‑technical users. Candidates who are invited to interview will be provided with further details in their invite to interview. This will be the lead criteria to distinguish between tied candidates at interview.

If after the interview you are not found appointable at the advertised grade, you may be offered a lower grade role if you are considered to meet the skills, experience and behaviours for the lower level. The benchmark for appointing to the lower grade is set at the start of each campaign.

Offer

Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome. Offers will be made in strict merit order.

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles (of the same or lower grade). Subject to business need, if a suitable position opens during this time we may reach out to individuals in merit order.

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of recruitment based on fair and open competition with decisions made on the basis of merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.

Important Information

Security Clearance

Successful candidates must pass a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check before they can be appointed.

BPSS is an entry level security check. It uses the Police National Computer (PNC) to make sure a candidate has no convictions. The check returns evidence of any current criminal record and un-spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Successful candidates must also meet the security requirements for Security Check (SC) before they can be appointed.

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

Sponsorship

Companies House cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. Companies House holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship, your application may be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment withdrawn.

Working Hours

We can accept applications for those looking to work full time, part time or compressed hours, a minimum of 30 hours/4 days per week.

Pre-Employment Checking

In line with Government guidance, successfully appointed candidates will need to provide documents for our Right to Work checks.

From June 2026, applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). Your personal details (name, National Insurance number, and date of birth) will be checked against the Civil Service Resourcing Extract IFD.

This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued.

If your details appear on this database, you will not be offered employment unless you can demonstrate exceptional circumstances. Companies House, acting on behalf of the vacancy holder, will inform you if your application is refused for this reason.

Please note: You are not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Nationality statement

As part of our recruitment process, it is essential for all candidates to independently verify their eligibility to work in the UK before applying. This includes a thorough check of your right to work to ensure compliance with UK employment laws, being mindful of the recent changes to going rates detailed on GOV.UK.

Please ensure you have the necessary documentation and permissions in place. Our team is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply. However, it is the candidate's responsibility to ensure they meet the UK's legal requirements to work.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Hannah Matthews
• Email : hmatthews@companieshouse.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitmentch@companieshouse.gov.uk

Further information

We welcome applications in Welsh / Rydym yn croesawi ceisiadau yn y Gymraeg. Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact infopoint@companieshouse.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission .

info@csc.gov.uk

Civil Service Commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road SW1A 2HQ