Data Steward

Data Steward – East Sussex County Council

East Sussex County Council is recruiting a Data Steward to help improve data quality, information governance and business intelligence across its services. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to a major data-modernisation programme involving Power BI and Microsoft Fabric.

Job Summary

• Job title: Data Steward
• Employer: East Sussex County Council
• Salary: £37,581 – £40,155 per annum
• Location: County Hall, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE
• Working pattern: Hybrid, with office attendance required at least one day per week
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract type: Fixed-term contract
• Job type: Full-time
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Closing date: 1 November 2026 at 1:00 AM
• Job reference: 4533
• Visa sponsorship: Applicants who require sponsorship should inform the hiring manager in their application so eligibility can be checked. Sponsorship is not guaranteed.

About the Role

East Sussex County Council is looking for a Data Steward to help ensure its data is accurate, reliable, clearly defined and properly managed. Working within the IT and Digital team, you will collaborate with the Data Architect, Business Intelligence teams and colleagues across the Council.

Your work will support better reporting, informed decision-making and improved services for residents, partners and staff.

You will also contribute to the Council’s transition from Tableau to Power BI and the implementation of Microsoft Fabric as a trusted corporate data platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate data-quality issues and work with system owners to agree improvements.
• Maintain data definitions, documentation and information-management standards.
• Help colleagues understand their responsibilities for managing data.
• Support the effective governance and use of important datasets.
• Analyse, interpret and present complex information to support reporting and decision-making.
• Contribute to the transition from Tableau to Power BI.
• Support the implementation of Microsoft Fabric.
• Handle information responsibly in accordance with data-protection requirements.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across different teams and services.

Essential Skills and Experience

Candidates should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Experience using Power BI and/or Tableau, including creating and managing dashboards.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and clearly present complex data.
• Understanding of data protection and responsible information handling.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across teams.
• Good organisation and workload-management skills.
• Ability to investigate problems, maintain accuracy and meet short deadlines.

Qualifications and Experience

The advert does not specify a mandatory degree or professional qualification. Applicants should consult the official job description and person specification for the complete requirements.

Relevant work experience, education, training and personal interests can be used to demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria.

Training and Development Opportunities

This role provides exposure to a significant data-modernisation programme and opportunities to develop practical experience in:

• Data governance and data quality.
• Business intelligence and dashboard management.
• Power BI and Microsoft Fabric.
• Information management and organisational change.
• Working with datasets across a large public-sector organisation.

The advert does not confirm a formal training programme.

Salary and Benefits

The salary is £37,581 to £40,155 per annum. East Sussex County Council also offers a range of employment benefits, with further information available on its official benefits page.

Working Arrangements

The position is based at County Hall in Lewes and offers hybrid working. For team collaboration, employees are expected to attend the office in person as required, at least one day per week.

Interviews are expected to take place in early November and will be conducted through Microsoft Teams unless a candidate requests an in-person interview at County Hall.

The role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity. Applicants who have lived or worked abroad must provide evidence of an overseas police check where required.

How to Apply

To apply, visit the official East Sussex County Council recruitment page and select the Apply Now button. You will need to upload your CV and a supporting statement.

Your supporting statement should explain how you meet the following criteria, using relevant examples from work, education, training or personal experience:

• Experience using Power BI and/or Tableau to create or manage dashboards.
• Experience analysing, interpreting and presenting data, including complex or sensitive information.
• An example of identifying and helping resolve a data-quality or information-management issue.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to different audiences.
• Experience working collaboratively across teams or services.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accuracy under deadlines.
• Understanding of data protection, secure information handling, retention and confidentiality.

Applicants requiring visa sponsorship should inform the hiring manager in their application so the Council can check whether sponsorship is possible for this role.

Official application link: Apply for the Data Steward position

Job description and person specification: Download the official document

Application guidance: How to apply

Closing date: 1 November 2026 at 1:00 AM.

Contact for Informal Enquiries

For an informal discussion about the role, contact Nicky Wilkins, Head of Strategy and Architecture, to arrange a Microsoft Teams call or telephone conversation.

Email: nicky.wilkins@eastsussex.gov.uk

The Council welcomes applications from all sections of the community and particularly encourages applications from people who are underrepresented in technology and data professions.