In a world where information drives decisions, data managers are essential. They help organisations handle, protect, and make the most of their data. This article breaks down the responsibilities, skills, and the average data manager salary in the UK, showing why they're key in today’s competitive business landscape.
What is a data manager?
Data managers play a vital role in an information-driven world. In simple terms, they oversee how data is stored, protected, and shared within an organisation, ensuring it meets quality and compliance standards.
As a data manager, you’ll design and implement procedures that uphold quality and set the standards for all data efforts. Your job is to work closely with departments to transform data into meaningful insights that drive innovation and help an organisation stay agile in a competitive landscape. You'll be responsible for smarter decision-making by supporting a data-driven culture that drives long-term success, and you'll have access to diverse career opportunities.
Data manager job description
A data manager's role involves a range of responsibilities that combine technical and organisational skills. This job involves managing the full data lifecycle, from collection and storage to maintaining secure access and quality standards across the organisation. You'll coordinate data projects, ensuring information flows smoothly to support departments in achieving business goals.
Governance is also a critical aspect of the job. As a data manager, you’ll develop policies that regulate the use, storage, and security of sensitive information. You’ll collaborate with internal teams, such as IT, marketing, and finance, to tailor solutions that meet each department’s needs. At senior levels, you might lead a team responsible for quality checks, regulatory compliance, and accessibility, developing the data infrastructure from conception to completion. Every task you take will help create a reliable, compliant, and effective data ecosystem.
Key responsibilities of a data manager
Data managers support a well-structured, secure, and accessible data environment. Applying techniques to manage quality, compliance, and accessibility ensures that data remains valuable for decision-making and organisational growth. Here’s what a typical day-to-day might involve:
Monitoring data quality: regularly audit accuracy to prevent errors and maintain trust in decision-making.
Developing governance policies: define data storage and security application standards, ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations.
Collaborating with teams: work across different departments to address specific needs and implement tailored solutions.
Designing and implementing data architecture: establish systems to manage sensitive information and enforce regulations.
Leading data projects: oversee data-related ideas that align with company objectives, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
Promoting a data-driven culture: encourage teams to use insights in their work, empowering everyone to contribute to organisational growth.
Providing user guidance and training: offer support and training on tools and practices, ensuring team members can confidently access and utilise data for their projects.
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Data manager salary expectations in the UK
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts a rapid increase in data and tech roles each year through 2025-2030, with these roles ranked among the UK’s fastest-growing fields. However, companies face a talent shortage. According to the UK government’s Quantifying the Data Skills Gap report, nearly half of businesses need candidates with programming, analysis, machine learning, and communication expertise to drive their data initiatives. As a result, those with relevant tech skills have a range of exciting job opportunities in the UK and Northern Ireland beyond the 'data manager' job title.
Below is an outline of the pay you can expect in your career, comparing insights from Robert Half’s 2025 UK Salary Guide and uk.indeed.com, accurate as of October 2025, not including ad-ons or other benefits. Please note that average salary pay varies by experience level, job title, and location.
Entry-level data managers
If you’re just starting out in data management, there are plenty of exciting entry-level roles to explore. These positions give you hands-on experience, help you build essential skills, and provide a strong foundation. Plus, you can enjoy a competitive starting salary as you step into this high-demand field.
Junior data manager: £31,400
Coordinate storage and governance tasks, supporting senior staff in maintaining quality.Junior business intelligence analyst: £31,750
Collect and prepare insights for dashboards and reports, focusing on trends that support promotions and business needs.Data analyst: £34,838
Focus on interpreting unstructured data and preparing client insights that can support organisational strategies.Database administrator: £44,122
Handle database entry, updates, and coding tasks, ensuring information is organised and accessible for reporting needs.
Mid-senior-level data managers
At this level, you’ll play a key part in shaping an organisation’s strategy. You'll support important decisions and align processes with overall goals. As your responsibilities grow, so will your paycheck. You’ll work closely with clients and team members, making a real impact on the company’s direction.
Senior data analyst: £48,250
Lead advanced data analysis efforts, providing actionable insights influencing company-wide strategies and supporting business growth.
Senior data manager: £56,323
Coordinate data and governance efforts and manage data-related projects and compliance initiatives across the organisation.
Data engineer: £63,500
Manage data infrastructure, building and maintaining pipelines, allowing efficient processing and access across teams.
Senior data governance manager: £67,936
Lead policy development for data compliance and quality, ensuring all departments can access secure and reliable data.
Senior data scientist: £76,250
Manage teams implementing data science techniques to forecast trends, improve operational efficiencies, and drive company growth.
Specialist executive-level data managers
At this level, you’ll be involved in an organisation’s strategy, supporting critical decisions and aligning practices with broader goals. As your responsibilities increase, so will your average total compensation, allowing you to influence company direction while collaborating closely with clients and other employees.
Head of data: £72,787
Lead the overall data strategy, overseeing operations and aligning them with the organisation’s long-term objectives, often managing a large team of data professionals.
Chief data architect: £116,500–£145,500
Design and structure data systems to ensure seamless integration and accessibility, guiding the organisation’s framework to support growth and innovation.
Chief information technology officer: £95,500–£150,750
Develop and implement protection guidelines, ensuring data safety and regulatory compliance for your employer.
Average salary for data managers in London
Data manager salaries in the UK can vary significantly by region. In London, the high demand for data jobs often drives pay above the national average, reflecting the competitive job market in the capital.
Other regions across England, such as the North West and Midlands, offer strong opportunities, though the average salary may differ based on the cost of living and local demand. Exploring roles by region can help you identify where your skills are most valued. Setting up job alerts for data manager jobs on popular career sites is a good way to stay updated on salary trends and new opportunities in your preferred location.
Below, we’ve outlined some mid-level salaries adjusted with a London weighting for you to view*:
Data analyst: £44,387
Data manager: £47,654
Data scientist: £60,613
Data architect: £73,938
Data governance manager: £77,813
*London average salary information from uk.indeed.com and correct as of October 2025.
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