Head of Data

Sheffield City Centre (fully office-based)

Salary: £65,000 - £85,000

Start: Early 2026 (with handover/overlap)
Contract type: 37 hours per week. Fixed term 13 months.
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer 
Direct reports: 3 Analysts - Energy sub-team (1 mid who line-manages 1 junior), Commercial sub-team (1 mid) 

UniHomes is a leading UK student accommodation platform operating across 60+ cities, providing a Utility Management Service to our customers. Our Data & Analytics function powers commercial performance, product decisions, and operational efficiency, with increasing demands following investment from our private equity shareholders, Macquarie and LDC. 

We're hiring an experienced interim Head of Data & Analytics to lead a small, capable team while staying hands-on with delivery, whilst being the key data leader in the business. Time split: approximately 70% hands-on delivery and 30% leadership scope (team, governance, stakeholders). You'll partner closely with the Management and Executive Team to define and track KPIs, deliver weekly insights, and progress our Data Strategy & Governance. 

You will be an experienced, hands-on analytics leader who's comfortable managing a small team while actively delivering. You will possess strong commercial acumen and will be confident presenting concise insight to senior stakeholders. 

Key responsibilities:

• Hands-on delivery (~70%)
  • Deliver analytics personally using SQL, dbt, and Tableau (model build, tests, docs, dashboards). 
  • Define, iterate, consult on and own KPI frameworks; compile and present the weekly leadership KPI pack. 
  • Get hands dirty with a variety of ad hoc and project-based analytical tasks (deep-dives, quick turnarounds, data triage, QA). 
  • Translate business questions into clear analytical deliverables and data stories with measurable impact. 
  • Partner closely with the Management and Executive Team on commercial, operational, and product performance metrics. 
• Leadership scope (~30%)
  • Team leadership & development: coach and support 3 Analysts; maintain rituals (stand-ups, code reviews, showcases); manage prioritisation and capacity; support the mid Energy lead who line-manages a junior. 
  • Data Strategy & Governance: advance documentation standards, testing, quality monitoring, and access/governance practices; champion data literacy. 
  • Stakeholder management: work cross-functionally (Sales, Marketing, Product, Finance, Ops); shape roadmaps and communicate trade-offs and progress. 
  • Continue to develop the company's data capability as we aim to mature our data function and usage cases. 

Skills and experience:

• 5+ years in analytics/data, including 2+ years managing/mentoring (ideally teams of 3–5 Analysts). 
• Proficient in SQL, dbt, and Tableau (or very close equivalents). 
• Track record of KPI design, dashboarding, and insight delivery for senior forums. 
• Experience contributing to Data Strategy and Data Governance initiatives. 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management. 

• Experience with Snowflake (or other modern cloud DWH). 
• Exposure to marketplaces, property, or utilities contexts. 

About us: 

At UniHomes, we're on a mission to transform the entire student rental experience across the UK. As the market-leading student accommodation advertising platform and utility management service provider, we make finding and securing all-inclusive student accommodation simple, seamless, and stress-free.

We're not just another platform. UniHomes is developing innovative technology to deliver one go-to destination that supports the entire student rental journey. With an unwavering focus on our students, partner letting agents, operators and suppliers, we continually evolve and enhance our products and services to exceed expectations, while tackling market complexity with ease and transparency.

Since launching in 2015, we've experienced rapid growth. Today, we operate in 60+ cities, partner with 1,000+ agents and operators, and are backed by Macquarie Capital and LDC. Our success has been recognised with accolades from EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50, The Negotiator Awards, and Great Place to Work certification.

Our 140+ strong team is based in the heart of Sheffield City Centre, where we're driving innovation, expanding into new markets, and fostering a culture built on collaboration, creativity, and growth.

If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and help redefine how students find their perfect home, now is the time to join UniHomes. Be part of a team that's opening new doors to better experiences, brighter ideas, and stress-free living.

We are a team driven and united by our core values:

• Lead the Way
• In it Together 
• Customers Matter
• Keep it Simple 
• Rise Above Challenges 
• Make it Happen

What do you get when you work here?

With people and culture at the heart of our organisation, we are continually enhancing our employee offer and culture. We are incredibly proud to have been officially certified as a Great Place to Work (GPTW) and an accredited Living Wage employer - all our employees earn a fair living wage above the government minimum wage.

Working in our stunning new office at New Era Square in the centre of Sheffield, you will get complimentary breakfast, hot & cold drinks, snacks, pool table, holidays, length of service days, voluntary day, enhanced pension scheme, pension salary sacrifice scheme, healthcare scheme, Employee Assistant Programme, sick pay, enhanced maternity & paternity pay, career progression, a commitment to personal and professional development, employee of the month award, refer a friend scheme, staff discounts, mental health and financial support, and company social events. 

At UniHomes we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can thrive and which values individuals for their unique perspectives. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to make the recruitment process more accessible to you.

Applicants must already have the permanent and unrestricted right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship as we do not hold a sponsor licence.

We want to hear your unique voice in your application. We love AI, but relying on it solely to write your cover letter and answer the application questions is a missed opportunity to showcase the originality and personality that will make you stand out. Show us the real you.

We do not accept CV submissions from recruitment agencies. Direct applications from individual candidates are encouraged. Thank you for your understanding.