Data manager

IT systems dominate every walk of life, and as a result, more data is being generated than ever before. The value of this data is only just being realised, and a new world of opportunity is opening up. As a data manager you will be responsible for managing the collection and storage of this data within your own organisation.

Also known as

Data architect

Work activities

Data plays a crucial role in helping businesses and organisations to function effectively. However, data is only as good as the system or process that collects it. As a data manager you will be responsible for creating and maintaining this system and process. You will be focussed on getting the right data, by asking the question what is important to my organisation?

You could be working in one of many different areas or industries, all of which realise the importance of data management. Examples include:

Schools, colleges, universities.
Hospitals.
Local county councils.
Human resources (HR) departments.
An IT company.
A logistics business.

Managing the data of your organisation will involve performing many different duties, including:

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date databases.
Generating reports which are effective and easily readable for non-technical managers.
Making suggestions to management, based on the collected data.
Producing statistical analysis from the collected data.
Managing a team, including training and performance monitoring.
Performing data validation – the process of making sure your data management systems use the correct and most useful forms of data.
Maintaining a data warehouse – this is the creation of a central collection point for all an organisation’s data, often collected by many different databases.

It is vital that you understand all the complicated legislation in this area of work – you will be advising your organisation on a range of issues to do with data security and data protection.

Personal qualities and skills

As a data manager, you will need to:

Have strong maths skills.
Have great IT skills, including being familiar with databases and query languages.
Have good analytical skills.
Be good at solving problems.
Have project management skills.
To be able to work to deadlines.
Pay attention to details and accuracy.
Have great teamworking skills.
Be willing to keep up to date with any changes in data protection laws and the latest database technologies.
Have excellent communication skills, and to be able to explain technical issues, to non-technical people.

Technical skills are highly important in this industry. However, employers have also highlighted the future need for the following non-technical skills:

Business skills.
Good communication skills.
Teamworking skills.

Pay and opportunities

As a data manager, your salary will often depend on your experience and ability. Pay rates can vary from a starting salary of £32,000, rising to as much as £82,500 with experience.

Data managers usually work 37-39 hours from Monday to Friday, but might work some late evenings when deadlines require.

Employers are in every sector of industry and commerce, including banks, building societies, insurance companies and others in the finance sector, and in public service (for example, local and central government departments). Opportunities for data managers occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on specialist IT job boards and employers’ websites, in computing magazines and professional journals, in local/national newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

Two level 5 (higher) apprenticeships offer a good way into this career path:

Data engineer
Data scientist

Many data managers are graduates, with degrees in subjects such as computer science and mathematics. At university you will learn some of the skills, techniques and technologies, that employers need. IT and business studies-based subjects at GCSE and A-level would help you to stand out from the crowd.

It isn’t necessary to have a postgraduate qualification in order to enter this career. However, relevant qualifications are available and can give you a competitive advantage in the job market.

Qualifications

To get onto a higher apprenticeship, you’ll need two relevant A-levels plus GSCEs in English and maths.

Entry requirements for relevant degrees include:

Two to three A-levels. Courses may require computing or maths.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two to three other subjects.
English and maths at GCSE.

Alternatives to A levels include:

Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: it is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Related careers

Database administrator
Data analyst