📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Head of Data Strategy & Operations - Customer Marketing
🔹 Company: Aviva
🔹 Location: London, Bristol
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (2 office days per week)
🔹 Category: Insurance, Data & Analytics
🔹 Date Posted: May 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Defining and driving the medium to long-term Customer Data Strategy and Roadmap
- Managing business demand and designing annual strategic priorities for the CDO team
- Engaging and aligning stakeholders to ensure effective budgeting, financial oversight, and high senior stakeholder engagement
- Requiring strong strategic thinking, data expertise, and excellent consultative and communication skills
ASSUMPTION: This role involves significant strategic planning and stakeholder management, requiring a candidate with a proven track record in driving transformational change in complex organizations.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Define the medium to long-term Customer Data Strategy and Roadmap to support Aviva's business ambitions in C&M and the markets
✅ Make prioritisation decisions to design a strategic data change portfolio, enabling an annual change budget for C&M with a significant ROI over 5 years
✅ Manage business demand into the Data team, design annual strategic priorities for the CDO team, and define KPIs and OKRs reportable to the Aviva Executive Committees and Board to demonstrate the success and impact of data programs
✅ Develop and implement the Data strategy, ensuring alignment with vision, roadmap, and performance targets
✅ Engage and align stakeholders, ensuring effective budgeting, financial oversight, and high senior stakeholder engagement
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a balance of strategic thinking, data expertise, and stakeholder management skills to successfully drive the Customer Data agenda across the organization.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Data Science, or a related discipline). A Master's degree would be an asset.
Experience: 10+ years of experience in strategy, planning, and transformation roles within fast-moving and large matrix organizations, with a strong focus on data and technology evolution.
Required Skills:
- Demonstrates high intellectual curiosity and strong expertise in Data, AI, and technology evolution
- Exhibits strategic thinking with the ability to balance long-term vision and immediate priorities
- Possesses excellent consultative and communication skills to work with senior stakeholders, influence direction, and resolve challenges
- Has extensive experience in strategy, planning, and transformation roles within fast-moving and large matrix organizations
- Proven ability to partner and collaborate with cross-functional senior stakeholders, with credibility at CxO levels, and preferably a good understanding of financial services
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in the insurance industry
- Familiarity with Aviva's business and products
ASSUMPTION: Given the strategic nature of the role, candidates should have a proven track record in driving transformational change and a deep understanding of data as an enabler of decision-making and driver of operational effectiveness in a fast-evolving technology landscape.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: National: £100,000 - £120,000 / London: £130,000 - £140,000 (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications)
Benefits:
- Bonus opportunity – 25% of annual salary
- Generous pension scheme - Aviva will contribute up to 14%
- 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days
- Up to 40% discount on Aviva products and other retailer discounts
- Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through the Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with the Save As You Earn scheme
- Brilliantly supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave
- Flexible benefits to suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work
- Make a difference, be part of Aviva Communities and use your 3 paid volunteering days to help others
- We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools
Working Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week with flexible working arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the job listing and is inclusive of the national and London-specific ranges. Benefits are extensive and tailored to support employees' personal and professional growth.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Insurance. Aviva is a leading global insurance, wealth, and retirement business.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. Aviva's large size offers opportunities for career growth and diverse experiences.
Founded: 1696. Aviva has a rich history and extensive experience in the insurance industry.
Company Description:
- Aviva is a leading global insurance, wealth, and retirement business
- Aviva's purpose is to be with you today, for a better tomorrow
- Aviva is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the customers and communities they serve
Company Specialties:
- Retirement
- Investments
- Insurance
- Health
- Insurtech
- Protection
- and Wealth
Company Website: http://www.aviva.com
ASSUMPTION: Aviva's large size and diverse range of products and services offer candidates a wide range of opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Chief Data Officer.
Reporting Structure: This role does not have direct reports but will collaborate with and influence senior stakeholders across the organization.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 2 office days per week. The remaining days can be worked from home or any other suitable location.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to shape the Customer Data strategy and roadmap for Aviva
- Opportunity to work with senior leadership across the organization
- Possibility to grow into a more senior role within Aviva's data or digital teams
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within Aviva's data and digital teams.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with 2 office days per week.
Office Location(s): London, Bristol
Geographic Context:
- London: A major global financial hub with a vibrant tech scene
- Bristol: A thriving city with a strong focus on innovation and technology
Work Schedule: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week with flexible working arrangements
ASSUMPTION: Aviva's hybrid work arrangement offers employees the best of both worlds, with the opportunity to work from home and collaborate with colleagues in the office.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- On-site or virtual interview with senior stakeholders
- Final interview with the Chief Data Officer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and data expertise
- Stakeholder management and communication skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Aviva's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic thinking, data expertise, and stakeholder management skills
- Prepare examples of your experience driving transformational change in complex organizations
- Research Aviva's business and products to demonstrate your understanding of the company and the role
ATS Keywords: Data strategy, data operations, customer marketing, stakeholder management, strategic planning, transformation, data-driven decision-making, AI, technology evolution
ASSUMPTION: Aviva's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, data expertise, and stakeholder management skills, as well as their cultural fit with the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Data management and analytics platforms (e.g., SQL, Python, R)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role will depend on the candidate's background and the projects they work on. However, strong data visualization and analytics skills are essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer first
- One team
- Never settle
Work Style:
- Collaborative
- Innovative
- Agile
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate Aviva's value of being customer-first in your approach to data strategy and operations?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to influence senior stakeholders to drive a strategic initiative forward?
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in data and technology?
ASSUMPTION: Aviva's cultural fit assessment focuses on candidates' alignment with the company's values and their ability to work collaboratively and innovatively in a dynamic and agile environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing long-term strategic vision with immediate priorities
- Managing business demand and prioritizing initiatives
- Engaging and aligning senior stakeholders across a large and complex organization
- Keeping up with the fast-evolving technology landscape
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent in a role that requires strong strategic thinking, data expertise, and stakeholder management skills, as well as the ability to adapt to a fast-changing environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on Customer Data strategy and operations within Aviva's Customer Marketing division
- Similar roles in other organizations may have a broader or more specific focus, depending on the company's size, structure, and industry
- Career progression in this role could lead to more senior data or digital leadership positions within Aviva
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other data strategy and operations roles, its unique focus on Customer Data within Aviva's Customer Marketing division sets it apart.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive Customer Data strategy and roadmap for Aviva's Customer Marketing division
- Designing and implementing a strategic data change portfolio to deliver significant ROI over 5 years
- Defining KPIs and OKRs to measure the success and impact of data programs and initiatives
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and operational nature of the role, as well as the importance of data-driven decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of Customer Data within Aviva and the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does this role collaborate with other data and digital teams within Aviva?
- What are the key challenges facing Aviva's Customer Marketing division, and how can data strategy and operations support the business in overcoming these challenges?
- How does Aviva support the professional development and growth of its employees in data and digital roles?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexible working arrangements?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role's priorities, collaboration, challenges, and opportunities for professional growth and development within Aviva.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic thinking, data expertise, and stakeholder management skills
- Prepare examples of your experience driving transformational change in complex organizations
- Research Aviva's business and products to demonstrate your understanding of the company and the role
- Follow up with Harjot Kaur, the hiring manager, one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
