Group Data Lead

In the future, almost everything we consume will simply materialise on our doorsteps – what we call “e-commerce” today will simply be “commerce” tomorrow. But if we continue on today’s trajectory, the growth of e-commerce risks damaging the environment, alienating our communities, and straining the bottom-line for small businesses.

Relay is an e-commerce-native logistics network. We are built from the ground up for environmental, social, and economic sustainability. By building from the ground up we are able to entirely rethink both the middle and last mile enabling us to reduce the number of miles driven to deliver each parcel, lower carbon emissions, and lower costs, all while channelling funds to community members.

At the same time, we’re fixing the last broken aspect of e-commerce for consumers: delivery. As shoppers, we should have complete control over when and how we receive our purchases, and we should be able to return unwanted items as easily as we ordered them. That’s why whenever you buy from a merchant powered by Relay, you’ll be able to reschedule your delivery at any time. And if you don’t like what you ordered, at the tap of a button we’ll send someone to pick it up.

To orchestrate this complex ballet, Relay relies on a wide range of technologies, from advanced routing and planning to sophisticated user experiences that guide our team members on the ground. 

As a highly operational business, we rely on data to guide how every parcel moves through our network — from when it enters the system to when it’s delivered at the doorstep.

Our data team is growing -  fast. From 3 people in 2024, to 12 today, we aim to be 25+ by the middle of next year. As the team scales, we need exceptional people managers and team leaders to demonstrate the technical bar, and to coach and develop our team to achieve it. 

Data is our competitive advantage; this role will also have the scope to define and develop broad-reaching and multi-year data projects that ensure we both maintain and monetise our data assets. 

In the immediate term, this role will maintain some IC focus as well, with about 30% of the time being hands-on. Over time, this is likely to transition to a pure management or pure strategy role within our growing data function. 

• You’ve built and led high-performing data teams, setting a strong technical bar while fostering growth through coaching, feedback, and thoughtful team design.

• You bring hands-on experience across multiple data disciplines — including analytics, engineering, and data science — and understand how they interact to drive business value.

• You’ve successfully scoped and delivered complex, high-impact data initiatives that have transformed how organizations capture, structure, and use data at scale.

• You excel at partnering with C-level and senior stakeholders, using data to clarify strategic direction, guide investment decisions, and unlock new sources of value.

• You bring a strong commercial mindset and understand the operating model of the business — you proactively identify opportunities where data can drive efficiency, improve outcomes, or support monetisation efforts.

• You’re excited by the potential for external data products or services, and can assess where data may have value beyond the core business.

• You thrive in environments where both speed and technical rigor are essential; you balance near-term delivery with the creation of long-term foundations.

• You’re energized by the opportunity to help shape a growing, ambitious team — influencing its culture, standards, and impact from the outset.

What we’re looking for:

• Deep experience in one or more data disciplines — analytics, data science, or data engineering — and a strong understanding of how they contribute to end-to-end business impact.

• Proven ability to lead and scale data teams, including setting vision, defining ways of working, and developing team capabilities.

• 5+ years in data leadership roles, with direct experience managing teams and partnering across functions at a senior level.

• A strong grasp of business strategy and operations, and the ability to translate data opportunities into commercial outcomes — including experience (or interest) in external data products and monetisation models.

• Excellent communication and people skills, with experience in performance management, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.