Data Manager Jobs in the Data Management Field

Data manager jobs in today’s digital landscape

Data professional in an office setting, reviewing data practices required by many organizations in addition to being responsible for maintaining data integrity.

Data management oversees an organisation’s systems, ensuring information is secure, organised, and accessible. It involves developing policies, managing storage, and resolving data issues, forming a reliable foundation for data-driven strategies.

Today, the demand for data management roles is on the rise. According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025, roles like data analysts and scientists are among the fastest-growing, with a projected demand increase of up to 35%. This growth reflects the broad impact of data management, which goes far beyond governance. Data management is an adaptable, high-impact field with opportunities across various industries.

From data engineering to advanced analytics, data managers contribute essential skills that drive business understanding and innovation. Mastering data management opens doors to diverse data-focused roles, making it a valuable and versatile career path.

Data management job responsibilities

A data manager’s job is dynamic and essential, bridging various aspects of an organisation’s data lifecycle. Beyond organisation and security, they ensure information remains valuable for guiding strategy and boosting efficiency.

Data professional ready to review required analytics on a computer, responsible for ensuring data quality and security. She’s engaged in data activities building knowledge through a detailed review.

Core responsibilities

Data collection and storage: set up processes to collect and store data efficiently, ensuring it’s organised and ready for use when needed.
Data governance: create policies and procedures to maintain data integrity and ensure compliance with standards like GDPR.
Data analysis: work with teams to interpret and review data, drawing understandings required to inform decision-making.
Data security: protect sensitive information and ensure it's accessed only by authorised users.
Data integration: Combine data from multiple sources to create a unified view, ensuring all business users can access information.

Data professional with a view of email communications, coordinating team activities and ensuring effective collaboration within the team.

Specialist responsibilities

In technical data management jobs, additional expertise may be required to handle complex tasks. Here are a few examples:

Programming and automation: develop scripts and automated processes to streamline data handling, especially in high-volume environments.
Data visualisation: create dashboards and reports to view complex data in an accessible, visual format for different departments.
Advanced quality assurance: implement systems to review and improve data continuously, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
Compliance auditing: conduct regular audits to ensure practices align with internal and external compliance standards.
Data engineering: design the infrastructure, pipelines, and systems that ensure data flows smoothly across an organisation.

The scope of data management jobs

As data management jobs become central to business strategies, their responsibilities span various industries, each using data to solve unique challenges and drive growth.

Data professional working to review quality metrics, ensuring responsible data management practices within a renewable energy organization, collaborating closely with the team.

Retail and e-commerce: track shopping trends, update inventory, and personalise customer experiences to meet fast-changing demands.
Finance and banking: track transactions, control risks, and ensure compliance with strict regulations, supporting everything from fraud prevention to investment planning.
Healthcare and biotech: organise clinical information, protect patient records, and guide research, helping advance medical treatments and improve healthcare.
Entertainment and media: help companies understand audiences, shape content, and drive engagement across platforms.
Product development: help teams analyse customer feedback and market trends, driving innovation that meets customer needs.
Energy and utilities: monitor usage, predict demand, and improve resource allocation, supporting quality, efficiency and sustainability.

Types of data jobs in the data management field

Data management covers multiple roles, each with different responsibilities that keep an organisation’s information accurate, secure, and up to date. This broad field involves positions ranging from setting policies to analysing data for insights.

As a data manager, you'll be responsible for maintaining data integrity and ensuring that teams across the organisation can access and use information effectively. Everything you do supports team efforts, helping people across departments make informed decisions and stay aligned with company goals.

Here’s a closer view of some of the core areas within data management.

Data manager
Set the foundation for effective data use, ensuring information is organised, accessible, and secure. You'll be responsible for aligning data practices with business goals, working closely with teams to make informed decisions and uphold data quality and security. You'll build a data-driven culture that fosters growth by establishing clear standards and guidelines.

Data governance
Focus on creating and enforcing policies that maintain regulatory compliance. You'll be responsible for data quality and security, especially in sectors with strict regulations like healthcare and finance. Your work ensures that all data handling processes meet industry standards, building trust and reliability in the organisation’s data assets.

Data analyst
Use datasets to identify patterns and trends that help shape business strategies. Your responsibilities will include creating reports, visualisations, and summaries that simplify complex information, making it easier for teams to make decisions. Often collaborating across departments, you'll bridge the gap between raw data and actionable information.

Data engineer
Design and maintain the infrastructure that enables smooth data flow across your organisation. You’ll develop data pipelines, manage databases, and collaborate with analysts and scientists to ensure data is clean, accessible, and ready for insights. Your work supports the entire data lifecycle, making accurate, timely information available for business needs.

Data scientist
Leverage statistical methods and machine learning to uncover trends and predict outcomes that can drive strategic decisions. Your role goes beyond immediate questions – helping business users stay ahead by identifying patterns in large datasets. You’ll turn complex data into strategic decisions, often collaborating with teams across the company.

Data product manager
Be the heart of creating things that make data-driven decisions count. You develop products that solve genuine problems, from enhancing sustainability efforts to smoothing everyday life. This role combines purpose with practicality, letting you shape products that don’t just work – they help make a difference in people’s lives.

Database administrator
Oversee database systems to keep data secure, organised, and accessible. Your responsibilities include optimising performance, managing access permissions, and safeguarding data against threats. In organisations that rely heavily on structured data storage, you’ll play a crucial role in ensuring that information is reliable and safe.

Data Architect
Take the reigns in shaping the data infrastructure for the whole organisational strategy. You’ll design and build the architecture for data management systems, ensuring they're scalable and meet business requirements. By setting up frameworks that help data accessibility and security, you enable other data professionals to carry out their work effectively.

How to get a job in data management

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Wondering how to start your career in data management? Our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Data Management covers everything you need to know, from roles and responsibilities to essential skills and degree pathways. Whether exploring the basics or looking for more guidance, this is your roadmap to success in the field.

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How to excel in data management jobs

A mix of technical and soft skills will help you thrive in data roles. Developing these core areas will prepare you to effectively tackle, manage, and respond to data.

Two data management team members reviewing required data and ensuring up-to-date information for accurate analysis.

Technical skills

Programming skills: mastering languages like SQL, Python, and R is essential for querying databases, automating data tasks, and streamlining workflows.
Analytical techniques: proficiency in statistical methods and data visualization tools (like Tableau) helps you interpret data, uncover patterns, and provide actionable insights.
Database architecture: understanding how data is structured and stored ensures that systems run efficiently and data remains accessible and secure.

Data professional in a collaborative team setting, reviewing quality metrics to support goals in the organization.

Soft skills

Communication: data managers must translate complex information into clear terms, helping teams across departments make informed decisions.
Leadership: leading data and guiding junior team members is crucial to driving data initiatives aligned with business goals as you progress in different career roles.
Critical problem-solving: identifying and addressing data inconsistencies, security issues, and operational challenges is key to ensuring smooth data operations.

Expected salaries for data management jobs*

Data analyst: £36,372
Database administrator: £44,122
Data governance coordinator: £47,830
Data engineer: £57,147
Senior data manager: £61,839
Senior data scientist: £72,502
Head of data: £79,121

Salaries can vary by seniority across data management jobs depending on responsibilities, location and previous experience.

*Salary information sourced from uk.indeed.com and accurate as of October 2025.

The future of data management jobs: challenges and opportunities

The demand for skilled data management professionals is only increasing. A UK government report states fewer than 10,000 data specialists graduate yearly. At the same time, the industry requires over 178,000 professionals, highlighting strong job opportunities if you consider this path.

But, your success in this field will rely on adaptability, proactive approaches, and best practices. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 notes that technological advancements – such as big data, cloud technology, and machine learning – are reshaping the landscape. Staying current with these technologies will help you support business objectives, regardless of company size.

Data professional walking through office hall, start to review team process and quality metrics required for effective project outcomes.

Adapting to technological advancements

It’s also important to focus on the human side of data management. As Forbes notes, the goal isn’t just more dashboards or advanced AI – it’s about delivering the right insights to the right people at the right time to make decisions that enhance growth and efficiency.

It's an evolving field. Remaining flexible and committed to learning will set you apart. The future of data management will depend on how well you can adapt to new roles, processes and technologies – turning information into action that benefits business users across diverse sectors.

Start your data science career with Walbrook

With Walbrook's flexible online degrees, you can explore a broad range of topics that help you build the skills for a career in data management – whether you're starting out or building on existing technical knowledge.

While we don't offer a dedicated data management degree, our MSc Computer Science with Data Science gives you the technical foundations and practical skills relevant to data management jobs. You'll learn data processing techniques, apply machine learning to solve business problems, and use analytics to drive decision-making – all directly applicable to managing and interpreting data in professional contexts.

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