Head of Data Strategy

Digitization is never done. Every step opens many new doors. The more digital the company, the broader the horizon gets. That is exactly why KPN is such an interesting place to work for data professionals. As the right hand to the Chief Data Officer, the Head of Data Strategy has a huge impact on the company-wide Data Excelleration Program (pun intended). 

About KPN

The Netherlands finds itself in the midst of a digital revolution. Social connections, work, Health Care, the Education System, everyday things such as doing the groceries – the online aspects of all of these things are increasingly important. This development is made possible in part by KPN, a giant in the Dutch world of telecom. 

 “Every day, we work on the network of the future, a network of people and technology that makes progress possible.”- Joost Farwerck, CEO.

Their future-proof network design has proven itself when the corona measures led to a large shift and huge peaks in the demand for data. But it’s not just about the short term. The long term is just as important to this Dutch frontrunner with its rich history. KPN stands for reliable and fast connections and finds itself in the midst of this new reality. 

Data Office: Strategy, Architecture & Change
The Data Office is a department of 250 professionals that transform KPN’s data into usable information and valuable streams of data to improve (critical) company processes. This department is crucial when it comes to reaching the company’s digital goals. 

Strategy, Architecture & Change (SA&C) is a team of 15 FTE within the Data Office, that is in the lead when it comes to KPN’s data transformation. They do this by determining what the data strategy is to become within the next three to five years, winning support, and setting up the corresponding architecture and programs for change that lead to an acceleration in their digital transformation. 

KPN believes in diversity in the workplace and the power of diverse teams. The Data Office is a prime example of this. The 250 experts of the Data Office come from different parts of the world and there is an equal representation of men and women in leadership positions. 

The Vacancy: Head of Data Strategy

The Head of Data Strategy keeps an overview of the different disciplines of data and is responsible for the company-broad Data Excelleration Program. As the right hand to the Chief Data Officer, they develop the vision and strategy to make KPN more data-driven within the next three to five years. They also head the team that comes up with the accompanying data architecture and guides it to the end goal step by step. They are also responsible for the cultural programs to get the organization wholly on board. 

“Last year I switched from PwC to KPN. It really speaks to me how everyone is eager to digitize here. In order to leverage that enthusiasm, I’d like to team up with a strong right hand.” – Iris de Jongh, Chief Data Officer

A strategic role with company-wide impact
A uniform data-driven way of working is essential to gather the most valuable, clean data. Their mission is for the entire organization to become more mature in terms of data. 

The Head of Data Strategy excels at making connections. They ensure the data strategy fits in with the company-wide goals at KPN and ensure there’s enough support for the strategy. This calls for a different set of skills for each group. They head a team of 15 experts and steer a broad network of data professionals. Therefore, the importance of direct and indirect leadership skills are evident. In order to make sure the strategy lands in the rest of the business, it is important to have experience with stakeholder management and influencing decisions on Board and MT level.

Interested? 

KPN is working with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy.
Please contact Jessica Lim through jessica.lim@topofminds.com to make your interest known.