Data Standards Lead

4 month contract, outside IR35

UK-wide

Remote

About the role

Olive Jar Digital is looking for an experienced Data Standards Lead to support one of our central government clients. The role sits within a programme focused on digital licensing, where you will lead the development, alignment, and governance of data standards to ensure interoperability across services, departments, and systems.

You will work closely with policy, service design, data architecture, and technical teams to define and articulate clear, usable data standards that support streamlined approval and licensing processes. You will also take responsibility for shaping standards that can be submitted to GDS Open Standards for wider government adoption.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of data standards for licensing-related data, including approvals, applications, renewals, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure data interoperability across services, systems, and external partner organisations.
• Analyse current licensing processes and datasets to identify gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities for standardisation.
• Produce clear, accessible documentation, including data models, definitions, meta-data standards, and supporting artefacts.
• Develop the data standards challenge required for submission to GDS Open Standards, including drafting, justification, and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams - service designers, developers, policy specialists, data architects - to ensure standards meet operational and user needs.
• Engage and present to governance bodies, including GDS, data boards, and departmental working groups.
• Provide expert guidance on best-practice data management, quality, and lifecycle considerations.
• Support teams across the programme to adopt and implement the new standards.

Experience & Skills Required

• Strong background in data standards development, data governance, or data architecture within complex organisations.
• Experience working in or with UK Government or public-sector digital teams.
• Demonstrable expertise in data interoperability, especially in process-based or licensing-based services.
• Experience drafting standards suitable for submission to GDS Standards
• Ability to analyse data models, map processes, and translate requirements into clear, structured standards.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to explain complex topics to non-technical audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and evidence of influencing senior decision-makers.