HR Data Lead (12-month contract)

Withers

Job title: HR Data Lead (12-month contract)

Reporting to: HRIS Manager 

Location: London

What are we looking for?

As part of a strategic investment, Withers are looking for an experienced HR Data Lead to join a team of HRIS professionals and a HRIS project delivery team focused on the implementation and roll out a new HRIS/HR SaaS along with associated improvements to the HR function.

The HR Data Lead is a strategic and hands-on role responsible for overseeing all aspects of HR data management throughout the lifecycle of a new HRIS implementation. Acting on behalf of the HR team, this role ensures that data integrity, quality, and governance are maintained across all phases of the project—from initial discovery and migration planning to post-implementation optimization.

The HR Data Lead works closely with HR SMEs, HRIS team, IT, system vendors, and project stakeholders to define data requirements, lead data migration activities, and establish robust data governance frameworks. This role is critical to ensuring that the new HRIS is populated with accurate, compliant, and actionable data that supports core HR operations, reporting, and strategic workforce planning.

The ideal candidate brings a blend of technical expertise, HR domain knowledge, and project delivery experience, with a strong focus on data quality, compliance, and stakeholder collaboration.

Tasks and responsibilities

Data Strategy & Planning

• Define and implement the HR data strategy to support the HRIS delivery project.
• Collaborate with HR, IT, BD and vendor teams to align data requirements with system capabilities and business needs.
• Develop data models, mapping documents, and migration plans for legacy-to-new system transition.

Data Migration & Integration

• Lead the end-to-end data migration process, including extraction, cleansing, transformation, validation, and loading.
• Ensure data integrity and consistency across all HR modules (e.g., core HR, payroll, talent).
• Coordinate with technical teams to manage data interfaces and integrations with other enterprise systems.

Data Quality & Governance

• Establish and enforce data governance frameworks, including ownership, stewardship, and quality controls.
• Define and monitor data quality KPIs, resolving issues and implementing continuous improvement measures.
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) and internal policies.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Work closely with HR functional leads to understand data requirements and business processes.
• Act as a key liaison between HR, IT, and external vendors to ensure data-related deliverables are met.
• Provide training and support to HR teams on data standards, usage, and reporting.

Reporting & Analytics Enablement

• Support the design and delivery of reporting and analytics capabilities within the new HRIS.
• Ensure data structures support strategic workforce planning, diversity metrics, and operational reporting.
• Collaborate with BI teams to enable dashboards and insights aligned with business goals.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Core Competencies & Skills

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Strong understanding of HR data structures, relational databases, and data transformation techniques and processes e.g. ETL.
• Experience with HRIS platforms (e.g., SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, Oracle HCM) and data migration tools.
• Proficiency in Excel, SQL, and data warehousing/visualization/reporting tools (e.g., Power BI).

Data Governance & Compliance

• Deep knowledge of data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) and HR data security best practices.
• Experience establishing and managing data governance frameworks in complex environments.

Stakeholder Management

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across HR, IT, and vendor teams.
• Ability to translate technical data concepts into business language for non-technical stakeholders.

Project Delivery & Change Readiness

• Experience working in large-scale HR transformation or system implementation projects.
• Familiarity with Agile or hybrid project methodologies and cross-functional delivery environments.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Strong analytical mindset with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving data issues using workflow/process analysis techniques (e.g. Lean Six Sigma).
• Commitment to driving data quality and process improvement across HR functions.

Personal Qualities

• Inspires confidence
• Enthusiastic and friendly
• Able to work under pressure
• Flexible approach to working hours
• Excellent attention to detail and organisation skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Smart and professional manner
• Be well organised in calendar management and scheduling
• Collaborative mindset with a consultative approach

The Essentials

• 12-month fixed term contract
• 9.30am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• Hybrid working policy with a minimum of two days per week worked in the office
• 12-week probation period
• 12-week notice period
• Flexible benefit package including pension, private medical insurance, denplan, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, the ability to buy and sell holidays, flu jabs, doctors consultation service, cycle to work scheme, on site café and more

About Withers

A law firm focused on people and collaboration. For the past 125 years, Withers has supported some of the world's most remarkable people and organisations at defining moments in their lives. We are the only international law firm focused on successful individuals and private capital, working closely with founders, investors and family offices. We also advise governments, charities, global brands and start-ups of all shapes and sizes. Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle many of the world's problems.  It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice. Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, looking after their family, involved in a complex dispute or protecting their finances for the future. To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. We are agile, focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy. It is a truly flexible working culture that puts people first. Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

Information for recruitment agencies

Withers endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withers operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal opportunities employment statement 

It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.