Senior Data & Digital Solutions Consultant

Job description

The Role We’re looking for a Senior Data Consultant to lead the design, delivery and management of new and existing data pipelines that support our work in shaping industry decision-making, strategy development, and investment across the energy transition. This is a mid-senior role within Talan’s consultancy team sitting alongside our Senior Consultants and reporting directly to the Director of Energy Advisory. You will work closely with our data and AI, cyber security and data protection teams, collaborating with in-house solution architects and developers as required to design and maintain our digital tools. The role will predominantly be energy sector focused, but there are opportunities to work across other markets and collaborate across Talan. The Strategy and Consulting team is a dynamic and diverse group of policy analysts, economists, engineers, consultants and project managers, passionate about tackling climate change and making an impact for our clients. This is a data-led consulting role for a technically strong individual who wants to apply their skills to the sector’s most pressing low-carbon challenges. In this role, you will serve as a technical expert, leading complex data and analytical work to support projects across the Strategy and Consulting team. You will be expected to work independently, exercising sound judgement and taking ownership of delivery in a role that requires a high level of autonomy and professional expertise. From day one you will be placed at the heart of the energy transition, working across a range of low-carbon technologies – including heat pumps, energy efficiency and retrofit, heat networks, hydrogen and low carbon fuels. You will develop your profile as a low-carbon data expert who collects engineers, processes and analyses data to help organisations understand the opportunities, challenges and limitations of the energy transition and their commercial models. Within the business unit you will work collaboratively with energy policy specialists, economists and business consultants to deliver consultancy and research projects. You will act as a data analysis subject matter expert within the team and will provide leadership over aspects of our service offering. Your work will be underpinned by your ability to build robust data pipelines, document processes and decisions, support numerical/statistical analysis, and ability to communicate the results clearly to key decision-makers . Previous analysis has been widely used across the industry, quoted by MPs and Ministers in Parliamentary debates, and featured across leading news outlets – shaping new policies that have driven efficiencies and increased low-carbon technology uptake. Currently, the energy industry is undergoing a generational transition to decarbonise, which brings unprecedented challenge and opportunity. Your work will inform and influence these strategies and the debate, alongside our clients and the wider industry. What you’ll gain Direct exposure to senior policymakers, industry leaders, and board-level decision-makers Ownership of analytical and data workstreams, with the autonomy to shape how we build and manage our data capability The opportunity to see your analysis influence real-world policy and investment decisions Structured development as both a data specialist and a trusted client advisor, with hands-on coaching, regular feedback and clear progression criteria towards principal and leadership roles Responsibilities The role blends hands-on technical delivery with project management and business development. As a guide, we anticipate the weighting across these will be approximately: Hands-on data pipeline management and delivery – 50% Project management – 30% Business development – 20% Data Pipeline Management and Delivery Designing, building, maintaining and optimising data pipelines and data models that provide robust insight on low-carbon technologies and policies aligning with non-functional and functional requirements set out by the client. Sourcing, cleaning, processing and manipulating public and project-specific datasets to create a reliable, reusable evidence base – producing data dashboards and impactful charts/tables to best communicate insights developed. Delivering quantitative analysis across multiple criteria (commercial, social, economic and environmental) to assess policy options, business models and low-carbon products. Ability to update and build on existing Talan models developed in python. Applying and championing quality assurance and best practice in data management, security, reproducibility and documentation across the team. Incident investigation and trouble shooting. Managing APIs and system integration, including coordinating with third parties to support reporting requirements. Impact assessing change to digital tools working alongside a digital project manager, solutions architect and/or developers (where appropriate). Proposing and implementing enhancements to deliver continuous improvement across our services and operational systems. Facilitating release testing prior to system or pipeline change deployment. Project Management and Delivery Managing the delivery of data and research projects, ensuring they are delivered accurately, on time and to quality expectations. Directing and coordinating delivery teams guiding analysts on methodology and quality assurance. Managing day-to-day client relationships and acting as a trusted point of contact throughout delivery where required, including triaging stakeholder requests and responding to data related requests. Planning and delivering projects workstreams, balancing analytical depth with commercial constraints, and applying sound reporting and forecasting principles. Communicating analysis methods and outcomes clearly and concisely to senior stakeholders with little background in numerical analysis. Business Development Supporting business development as it relates to our data and analytical service offering – identifying opportunities, shaping propositions and contributing to written proposals. Building and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen Talan’s position as a knowledge expert in energy data and analytics. Developing new data tools, methodologies and reusable assets that widen the team’s delivery and business development capabilities. Contributing to repeat business by delivering high-quality, credible analysis that clients trust and return to. Work with consultancy and digital teams to understand policy and operational sufficiently convert them into solutions via thorough requirements gathering, functional and non-functional specifications, process mapping and user story interpretation. We would also expect you to support development of technical and Python skills within the broader Economics team, disseminating knowledge and upskilling members of the team. Competitive salary plus an excellent benefits package. Location: Birmingham or London office, with hybrid working; time in either office is expected. Requirements This role is suited to an individual with 4 or more years’ experience in a data-focused analytical role within consultancy, government, a think tank, industry or a comparable setting. The successful candidate will be a numbers person – objective and fact-based – whilst being able to effectively communicate their analysis to senior industry figures. Essential A genuine interest in and commitment to the energy transition and tackling climate change. Willingness and enthusiasm to work both independently on data projects and tasks when required, but also as part of a dynamic and multi-disciplinary team of energy policy consultants, economists and engineers. Advanced Python skills for data collection, script maintenance, debugging and error handling processing, analysis pipeline development and API integration. Strong MS Excel skills for economic and quantitative analysis and modelling. Practical experience using AI tools and techniques to improve analysis, automate delivery. JSON processing and manipulation. High degree of numeracy and confidence with data collection, processing and manipulation, and the ability to structure and think logically about complex problems Clear and concise written, verbal and numerical communication, with the ability to explain complex topics simply and build relationships with stakeholders at all levels Strong time management, with the ability to handle competing priorities and independently manage project delivery to client expectations A degree at graduate or postgraduate level in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics or a related numerate discipline – or equivalent professional experience as a substitute Advantageous SQL and experience working with relational databases including direct interaction with SQL databases, views, queries and troubleshooting. Power BI or other data visualisation and dashboarding tools . Interest in the use of AI and development of new tools , agents and business processes to create new service offerings for our clients. Comfort playing a subject matter expert leadership role within the business unit. Experience using Azure functions and Microsoft Power Platform including Power Automate and Power Apps with ability to troubleshoot flows and manage integrations. Experience in the energy, utilities or environmental sector, or with public policy Understanding of economics or econometrics principles Exposure to project management or client-facing consulting work, and an openness to supporting business development Understand end-to-end architectures, design integrations, and migration planning. Comfortable reviewing and proposing future-state options to improve services. Upon employment, employees should also have a sound awareness of the Company's Information, Quality, Environmental and Energy Management Systems. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion commitments Our commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. As a socially responsible leader, Talan continually invests in sustainable growth, addressing both social and environmental challenges. We achieve this while preserving our core values and ensuring operational excellence for our clients. This commitment to excellence extends across all aspects of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. For the past three years, through our 360° approach to social and environmental responsibility, we have been driving significant change and strengthening these principles within our corporate DNA. The solid foundations we've been building since 2021 are enabling our organisation to transform in a sustainable and positive manner. Disability Inclusion We recognise that the diversity of legislative and cultural frameworks for supporting individuals with disabilities requires the implementation of specific policies and a unique approach in each country where the Group operates. Talan is committed to strengthening its involvement in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities by implementing dedicated support systems and raising awareness among our teams on these issues. WHAT WE OFFER 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays Reward and recognition schemes Flexible working Private Bupa healthcare (subsidised) Life Assurance (up to 4 times annual salary) Matched pension contributions Season Ticket Loan Cycle to work scheme Buy and Sell annual leave Reimbursement of eye test and up to £50 towards glasses or contacts Corporate gym rates Employee Assistance Programme Summer and Christmas parties, along with monthly Social@77 Talan UK and Ireland (part of the Talan Group) is an expert provider of professional services. Our vision and mission is to take positive action in a complex world for the future good of people and the environment and to enlighten and enable our clients’ transformation in an increasingly complex world. We are purpose-driven, working across multiple sectors, tackling social and environmental challenges, improving and simplify the way markets work, harnessing the power of digital transformation and ensuring data is protected and used ethically. Talan provides a range of consultancy and outsourcing capabilities including programme management, market design and governance. We also have extensive and award-winning capabilities across cyber security, data privacy and digital transformation. We are Great Place to Work accredited. The nature of what we do means we are very much a people business. The contribution every member of the team makes to our diverse range of experience, skills and personalities is valued. We invest heavily in learning and development to enable our people to develop skills and gain experience which will enhance career prospects for life. Many who started their careers with us have rapidly progressed to more senior positions. No two days are the same, but we believe in a flexible approach to working which we know our employees value.