Head of Data
At KPMG, we believe in fuelling prosperity for all New Zealanders. This purpose drives everything we do, from our client work to internal practises, all guided by our shared values of Integrity, Courage, Excellence, Together, for Better.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a forward thinking Head of Data to lead and elevate our firm's data capability. In this pivotal leadership role, you will define and execute an enterprise-wide data strategy that positions data at the heart of everything we do-powering performance, strengthening risk management, enhancing data security, and enabling smarter, faster decision-making.
As a key member of the IT Senior Leadership Team, you will drive the firm's data agenda, ensuring that data is treated as a strategic asset throughout its lifecycle. You will champion trusted, secure, and accessible data practices, ensuring alignment with KPMG policies, privacy obligations, regulatory requirements and global data standards.
Working in close partnership with our AI strategy and leadership teams, you will help create the foundations that enable responsible AI adoption across the firm. You will ensure our data environments are fit for purpose, secure, and AI-ready, supporting innovation while maintaining the highest standards of governance and ethical data use.
This is an exciting opportunity to create lasting impact by unlocking the full value of data to drive innovation, deliver sustainable outcomes and support the firm's strategic ambitions.
Day To Day You Will
- Deliver an enterprise-wide data strategy and roadmap aligned to the firm's strategic priorities, technology objectives and AI ambitions.
- Lead and develop the Data team, building a high-performing function and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders to embed data into strategic planning, decision-making and business operations.
- Drive the effective use of data to enhance business performance, operational efficiency, risk management and insight generation.
- Establish and maintain trusted, accessible data assets, ensuring data quality, governance and lifecycle management across the firm.
- Collaborate with the Head of AI and technology teams to ensure data is governed, structured and AI-ready, enabling the successful adoption of AI and emerging technologies.
- Strengthen the firm's data security posture through effective information protection, classification, labelling and privacy controls.
- Foster a culture of data literacy, helping colleagues confidently understand, trust and use data in their daily work.
- Monitor emerging trends and best practices in data, analytics, governance and AI, continually evolving the firm's capabilities.
- Lead the delivery of data-related programmes and initiatives through effective planning, governance and stakeholder engagement.
- Contribute as a member of the IT Senior Leadership Team, helping shape the firm's broader technology and digital strategy.
What You Will Bring to Our Team
- 5+ years' experience in data, analytics, digital transformation or related leadership roles.
- Proven success defining and delivering enterprise-wide data strategies that align with business priorities and drive measurable outcomes.
- Strategic and analytical thinker, able to make informed decisions in ambiguity and translate data insights into meaningful business outcomes.
- Experience operating within enterprise-scale data environments, including data management, governance, lifecycle management and data architecture.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and translate business needs into practical data solutions.
- Experience partnering with technical teams to deliver data solutions, platforms and strategic outcomes.
- Knowledge of cloud-based data platforms, modern data ecosystems and self-service analytics.
- Experience enabling AI-ready data environments, with an understanding of responsible AI principles, ethical considerations and trusted AI frameworks.
- Strong understanding of data security, privacy, information protection, classification and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Demonstrated leadership and change management experience, including developing teams and leading organisational transformation.
- Proven ability to operate effectively within highly regulated environments while balancing risk, compliance and business outcomes.
- A growth mindset and commitment to continuous learning in a rapidly evolving data and AI landscape.
Why This Role Is Different
This role is not about managing databases or performing hands-on data engineering. It is about understanding one of the firm's most valuable asset-its data-and shaping how it is governed, protected, leveraged and transformed into business value. You will provide strategic leadership, enable trusted decision-making and create the foundations that allow data and AI to deliver meaningful outcomes across the firm.
