Head of Data Platforms

Head of Data Platforms

Department: Commercial Technology – McLaren Racing
Location: McLaren Technology Centre (Woking)
Reporting to: Director, Commercial Technology

In Simple Terms

You define and build the data foundation that powers the Commercial operating model.

You enable both the Technology Transformation and AI Transformation workstreams by ensuring data is trusted, accessible, and scalable.

You turn fragmented data into a unified platform that drives decision-making, automation, and AI.

Purpose of the Role

McLaren Racing is evolving its Commercial operating model to unlock scale, efficiency, and performance.

This role is responsible for defining and delivering the data platforms and data architecture that underpins that transformation.

The Head of Data Platforms ensures that:

• Data is unified, high-quality, and accessible across the ecosystem

• Systems are connected through robust, scalable data architecture

• AI use cases are enabled by the right data foundations from day one

This is not a traditional reporting or BI role — it is about building the data backbone of the operating model.

Key Responsibilities

Data Strategy & Platform Vision

• Define and lead the data strategy for Commercial aligned to operating model transformation

• Establish a clear vision for:

  • Data architecture and platform design

  • Data accessibility and democratization

  • Data as a core business asset

• Ensure alignment with both technology strategy and AI roadmap

Data Platform Architecture & Build

• Design and deliver a modern, scalable data platform, including:

  • Data ingestion and integration layers

  • Data storage (lakehouse / warehouse architecture)

  • Data processing and transformation pipelines

  • Data access and serving layers

• Partner with the wider Commercial Tech team to ensure:

  • Seamless integration with core systems and platforms

  • API-first, integration-led architecture

• Support AI requirements by ensuring:

  • Data is structured, accessible, and usable for AI models

  • Data latency and quality meet use case needs

Data Integration & Unification

• Eliminate siloed data

• Define and implement:

  • Consistent data models

  • Identity and customer data frameworks

  • Cross-platform data linkage and interoperability

• Create a single source of truth across Commercial

Enabling AI & Advanced Analytics

• Work in lockstep with the AI Transformation to:

  • Ensure data is ready for AI use cases (quality, structure, availability)

  • Define how data feeds AI workflows and models

• Enable:

  • Personalisation and segmentation

  • Predictive analytics and decision support

  • Automation driven by data signals

• Ensure AI is built on trusted, governed data—not fragmented inputs

Data Operations, Quality & Governance

• Establish robust data operations, including:

  • Data ingestion, transformation, and monitoring

  • Data quality management and validation

  • Data governance frameworks and standards

• Define ownership and accountability for data across the business

• Ensure compliance, security, and responsible data usage

Insight Enablement (Not Reporting Ownership)

• Enable teams to generate insights by:

  • Providing clean, accessible datasets

  • Supporting analytics tooling and use cases

• Work with Commercial & Marketing teams to:

  • Define key metrics and data requirements

  • Enable self-service and scalable reporting

• Focus on platform enablement, not becoming a reporting bottleneck

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary data partner for:

  • Commercial and Marketing leadership

  • Technology and AI transformation teams

• Translate business needs into data platform requirements

• Clearly communicate data capabilities and constraints to non-technical stakeholders

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience leading data platform strategy and delivery in complex environments

• Strong background in:

  • Modern data architecture (cloud-based platforms, lakehouse/warehouse)

  • Data engineering and integration patterns

  • Large-scale data transformation programmes

• Experience enabling data platforms for AI, automation, or advanced analytics

• Strong understanding of how data underpins business processes and systems

Desirable

• Experience in sport, media, or high-performance environments

Capabilities & Behaviours

• Strong ability to connect data, technology, and AI into a unified solution

• Platform-first mindset (not reporting-first)

• Commercially focused—driven by business value and performance

• Comfortable working in ambiguity and shaping foundational capability

• Strong stakeholder influence across technical and non-technical teams

• Collaborative across transformation functions

Role Impact

• Defines the data backbone of the Commercial operating model

• Enables:

  • AI at scale

  • Real-time, data-driven decision making

  • Seamless system integration

• Eliminates fragmentation across platforms, teams, and data sources

• Ensures McLaren has a trusted, scalable, future-ready data foundation