Director of Data

Role Details

Salary:
Competitive (Plus Bonus and incentives)

Location:

Head Office – One City Place, Chester (Hybrid)

Reporting to:
Group CTO

Forge Holiday Group is a leading UK holiday lettings business, connecting millions of customers with great holiday experiences. With award-winning brands like Sykes Holiday Cottages and Forest Holidays, we’re 1,700+ people strong and powered by four values:
One Business One Team, Keep it Simple, Grow & Learn, Sustainable Impact.

Data is already central to how we operate – and we’re now investing to take it further.

We’re building a modern, AI-ready data platform to create a single, trusted view of our business – powering insight, decision-making, and over 300 AI agents already in use.

This is a builder’s role – not maintenance.

As Director of Data, you will define and deliver our end-to-end data strategy, platform, and capability.

• Architect and scale a modern data platform (data vault, knowledge graph, insight layer)
• Enable AI, analytics, and product innovation through trusted data
• Build and lead high-performing data teams
• Build the Future of Data at Scale – Define the strategy, infrastructure, and operating model that will power data across multiple brands and markets
• Drive a true data-first culture across the organisation
• Drive Real Commercial Impact – Every initiative will connect directly to revenue growth, customer experience, and owner success
• Join a Strong Technology Leadership Team – Work alongside senior leaders driving product, platform, and AI transformation across the group

We’re moving from fragmented data to a single version of the truth – trusted, accessible, and compounding in value over time.

Strong foundations are already in place – now we need the right leader to accelerate and deliver.

One of our core values is Grow and Learn.

We’ve applied that directly to this search – listening, refining, and evolving the role based on what we’ve learned.

We welcome both new applicants and those who have previously applied.

• Experience delivering large-scale data platform transformations
• Deep expertise in modern data architecture (data vault, lakehouse, semantic layers)
• Cloud data platform experience (Microsoft Fabric highly advantageous)
• Experience supporting AI/ML or agent-based systems
• Proven leadership and stakeholder management capability

• Experience in travel, e-commerce, or marketplace businesses
• Knowledge of knowledge graphs and data democratisation
• Strong commercial acumen

• A transformational, CEO-sponsored programme
• A business already leveraging AI at scale
• The opportunity to build a platform and team from strong foundations
• A culture that lives its values – including Grow and Learn

• Annual STIP Company-wide Bonus Scheme offering up to an additional 30% of your salary through our performance-based bonus programme
• 33 days’ holiday (including bank holidays), plus up to 5 extra with long service
• Option to purchase extra holiday days if you wish
• A day off for your birthday
• 2 volunteering days per year
• Enhanced parental leave (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at full pay)
• Pension scheme with employer contributions
• Discounted and last-minute stays at Forest Holidays and Sykes Cottages for you, your friends & family
• Special offers and discounts designed to enhance your overall wellbeing
• Health cash plan & life assurance
• Training & development opportunities
• 24/7 mental health support
• On-site gym and parking at Chester HQ (near train station)
• Employee savings scheme
• Long service awards and company events

We’re all about diversity, inclusion, and bringing your authentic self to work. Need adjustments for the recruitment process? Just ask.