VP Data / senior Data manager
Our client is a major European infrastructure operator, active in a highly regulated and strategically critical environment.
As part of its ongoing transformation, the company is accelerating its shift towards a data-driven organisation, supporting operational excellence, regulatory transparency, international expansion and energy transition ambitions.
To support this evolution, the company is creating a Group-wide Data Leadership role, with full ownership of data governance, strategy and value creation.
Your mission
As VP Data / Senior Data Manager, you will act as the executive owner of data across the Group, defining and driving a robust, trusted and scalable data ecosystem.
Your objective is to transform fragmented data landscapes into a governed, business-aligned and AI-ready environment, ensuring compliance, performance and long-term value creation.
Key responsibilities
Data strategy & governance:
Define and implement a Group-wide data strategy, aligned with corporate objectives
Establish a clear governance framework (data domains, ownership, stewardship, decision rights)
Define and enforce policies for:
Data quality
Metadata & lineage
Access & security
Data lifecycle management
Promote a strong data-driven and "trusted data" culture across the organisation
Data architecture & platforms:
Design the target enterprise data architecture, integrating both IT and industrial (OT) environments
Ensure consistency of:
Master data & reference data
Data models & exchange standards
APIs and data products
Oversee core data platforms (data catalogue, data quality tools, reporting & analytics foundations)
Regulatory & Security ownership:
Act as the single accountable owner for regulatory and transparency data
Ensure data compliance, traceability and auditability in a critical infrastructure context
Collaborate with Cybersecurity, Legal and Regulatory teams to ensure secure and resilient data environments
Value creation & Data use cases:
Identify and prioritise high-impact data initiatives, such as:
Operational performance & asset optimisation
Capacity and resource management
Emissions and sustainability reporting
Financial and business performance insights
Build AI-ready data foundations to enable advanced analytics and future use cases
Leadership & transformation:
Lead and structure a central Data function (governance, architecture, platforms)
Manage and unify a team of 10-15 experienced data professionals
Coordinate a federated data model across business units
Drive change management in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and executive committee
Your profile
Experience:
10-15+ years of experience in Data / IT / Digital leadership roles
Proven track record in building and deploying enterprise data strategies
Experience in complex and regulated environments (infrastructure, energy, industry...) is a strong asset
Comfortable operating at executive / C-level
Core competencies:
Strong expertise in:
Data governance
Data architecture
Data Management Frameworks
Good understanding of IT / OT environments and industrial data contexts
Ability to translate business and regulatory requirements into scalable data solutions
Strategic mindset with a strong execution and delivery orientation
Leadership & soft skills:
Proven experience managing senior teams and transformation programs
Strong influencing and communication skills
Ability to navigate complex organisations and align multiple stakeholders
Change-oriented mindset, resilience and impact-driven approach
Education & languages:
Master's degree or equivalent in Data, IT, Engineering, Economics or related field
Fluent in English + French and Dutch
=> Permanent contrat (full time) only