Interim Group Data Readiness Project Manager (12 months)

Brightwell Overview

Brightwell Group operates across the UK and North American pension markets, delivering a comprehensive suite of services that support defined benefit pension schemes. They provide pension administration software, third-party administration services, fiduciary management, administration consultancy, and secretariat services.

Procentia, a key part of the Brightwell Group, develops and delivers advanced pension administration software solutions. Its products are trusted by a wide range of multinational corporations and mid-sized businesses to manage their pension schemes efficiently. The business continues to grow in both scale and reputation.

The Membership Services business provides high-quality administration services to pension schemes and their partners. The largest of these is the BT Pension Scheme (BTPS), which manages approximately £37 billion in assets. This division is experiencing sustained growth and recognition for its service excellence.

Brightwell also delivers fiduciary management services to the defined benefit section of the EE Pension Scheme, which has approximately £1 billion in assets under management.

The Group employs over 350 professionals across offices in London, Chesterfield, Bristol and Chicago. They are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace culture—one that reflects the society they serve and empowering their people to thrive.

Role Overview

Purpose:

The Group CTO is sponsoring a first line Executive review of the Brightwell Group’s data readiness and controls. A high-level gap analysis has been completed, and a project is to be initiated across the various business units and entities, to close business and technology data gaps.

A 12-month project is to be mobilised and join up with local data projects, forums and activities to add momentum and coordination to the Group’s activities.

Key deliverables of the project

• Working between the Group CTO and CRO, their teams and wider business teams, establish a data strategy approach and assess the need for a DPO.

• Audit coverage of data policies and frameworks.

• Assure alignment, embed data classification policies; enforce via digital tools for documents and emails.

• Launch and embed new data definitions across group, including data quality, data governance, data architecture, data lifecycle and data accessibility.

• Harmonise Group-wide policies, controls, and management.

• Likely transition of DPIA completion to business units from a centralised activity.

• Define and implement Group-wide data quality goals.

• Implement business ownership and stewardship at the Saas business Procentia, including catalogue and lineage.

• Develop business case and strategy for future-proofing data architecture across the Group.

• Audit record retention schedules; automate retention and deletion and re-educate staff on data storage practices.

• Standardise data access management controls.

• Establish data lineage and data library controls, where not present, with business owners.

• Dovetail the Group project activities with local data management forums.

Person Specification

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:

• Proven experience in a senior focussed programmes and ideally data quality, management, storage and lifecycle projects.

• Strong stakeholder management skills and previous experience of presenting and interacting at C Suite, SLT or Exco Level.

• Experience in working through teams rather than having a team of their own.

• An experienced verbal and written communicator, able to distil complex ideas to simple understandable views, for any audience.

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing enterprise-wide activities across entities and differing cultures.

• Strong track record in leading business and technology transformation projects.

• Strong understanding of data protection, data management, and regulatory compliance frameworks, for example GDPR, ISO 27001 and SOC2.

• Good understanding of Microsoft centric tools for managing, securing and storing data e.g Purview

• Familiarity with financial services, pensions, or regulated industries (preferred but not essential).

• Worked within and strong understanding of regulatory environments.

• Certifications (preferred) and combination: CIPM/CIPP/E, CDMP, CISM, Prince2/Agile PM.

Personal Attributes

• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to influence across functions.

• Resilient, adaptable, and calm under pressure.

• Results-oriented, with a strong focus on delivery and accountability.

• An eye for detail; but not distracted by it.

• Operates at pace and purpose.

• High integrity and commitment to ethical standards and regulatory compliance.

Location and Travel

• The role is expected to be London based (or Chesterfield if an internal candidate), with agreed remote hybrid working.

• Travel to Bristol and Chesterfield offices will be expected.

• Procentia have an office in Chicago. Travel to this office, for this role, is not required.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Brightwell is committed to developing and maintaining an inclusive culture, ensuring that behaviours, working practices and policies promote fair treatment and access to development opportunities for every colleague. We value the benefits a diverse workforce can bring and want Brightwell to be a place where all colleagues can thrive, feel that they belong and are valued and contribute to our success. This is underpinned by Brightwell’s RISE corporate values: Responsible, Impactful, Supportive & Expert.

Our RISE Values

Our values guide our behaviour and are embedded throughout the organisation.

Responsible – we take individual responsibility for making things happen. We take ownership of the decisions we make. We never walk past a problem. We are both open and brave - supporting and challenging each other to resolve issues.

Impactful – we are driven to do all that we can to create a better future for our members. We recognise that the way we invest can benefit wider society. We constantly strive to make a difference.

Supportive – we work together across teams to deliver the best outcomes for members and wider society. We support each other when taking difficult decisions and are always respectful, thoughtful and helpful.

Expert – we set very high standards, constantly looking at how we can be better and bolder – whether serving members, improving how we work, or invest. We are constantly innovating – challenging ourselves to find new ideas. We use our commercial acumen to deliver value for members and wider society.