Senior Data Manager - Brussels

VP Data / Senior Data Manager

 

Context :

Our client is a major European infrastructure operator, active in a highly regulated and strategically critical environment.

As part of its ongoing transformation, the company is accelerating its shift towards a data-driven organisation, supporting operational excellence, regulatory transparency, international expansion and energy transition ambitions.

To support this evolution, the company is creating a Group-wide Data Leadership role, with full ownership of data governance, strategy and value creation.

 

Your Mission :

As VP Data / Senior Data Manager, you will act as the executive owner of data across the Group, defining and driving a robust, trusted and scalable data ecosystem.

Your objective is to transform fragmented data landscapes into a governed, business-aligned and AI-ready environment, ensuring compliance, performance and long-term value creation.

 

Key Responsibilities :

Data Strategy & Governance

• Define and implement a Group-wide data strategy, aligned with corporate objectives
• Establish a clear governance framework (data domains, ownership, stewardship, decision rights)
• Define and enforce policies for:
• Data quality
• Metadata & lineage
• Access & security
• Data lifecycle management
• Promote a strong data-driven and “trusted data” culture across the organisation

 

Data Architecture & Platforms

• Design the target enterprise data architecture, integrating both IT and industrial (OT) environments
• Ensure consistency of:
• Master data & reference data
• Data models & exchange standards
• APIs and data products
• Oversee core data platforms (data catalogue, data quality tools, reporting & analytics foundations)

 

Regulatory & Security Ownership

• Act as the single accountable owner for regulatory and transparency data
• Ensure data compliance, traceability and auditability in a critical infrastructure context
• Collaborate with Cybersecurity, Legal and Regulatory teams to ensure secure and resilient data environments

 

Value Creation & Data Use Cases

• Identify and prioritise high-impact data initiatives, such as:
• Operational performance & asset optimisation
• Capacity and resource management
• Emissions and sustainability reporting
• Financial and business performance insights
• Build AI-ready data foundations to enable advanced analytics and future use cases

 

Leadership & Transformation

• Lead and structure a central Data function (governance, architecture, platforms)
• Manage and unify a team of 10–15 experienced data professionals
• Coordinate a federated data model across business units
• Drive change management in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and executive committee

 

Your Profile

Experience

• 10–15+ years of experience in Data / IT / Digital leadership roles
• Proven track record in building and deploying enterprise data strategies
• Experience in complex and regulated environments (infrastructure, energy, industry…) is a strong asset
• Comfortable operating at executive / C-level

 

Core Competencies

Strong expertise in:

• Data governance
• Data architecture
• Data management frameworks
• Good understanding of IT / OT environments and industrial data contexts
• Ability to translate business and regulatory requirements into scalable data solutions
• Strategic mindset with a strong execution and delivery orientation

 

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Proven experience managing senior teams and transformation programs
• Strong influencing and communication skills
• Ability to navigate complex organisations and align multiple stakeholders
• Change-oriented mindset, resilience and impact-driven approach

 

Education & Languages

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Data, IT, Engineering, Economics or related field
• Fluent in English + French or Dutch

 

=> Permanent contrat ( full time ) only