Delivery Lead - Data, Research & Insights

Who we are

We are an organisation that exists to drive progress. That's the “red thread” that connects everyone at The Economist Group (TEG). Our businesses share a devotion to innovation, independence and rigour in their fields of expertise. We empower people to understand and tackle the critical challenges and changes facing the world. Our analytical rigour, global expertise and evidence-based insights enable individuals and organisations to make sense of these shifts and chart a course through them.

We deliver analysis and insights in many formats to subscribers and clients in 170 countries through our four businesses, The Economist, Economist Impact, Economist Intelligence and Economist Education, which uphold our global reputation for excellence and integrity. 

Introduction to The Economist

The Economist Group is the leading source of analysis on international business and world affairs. We deliver world-class, thought-provoking content through a range of formats, from web and app, to newspapers and magazines, conferences, film and audio. What ties us together is the objectivity of our opinion, the originality of our insight and our advocacy of economic and political freedom around the world.

With a growing global subscriber base and a reputation for insightful analysis and opinion on every aspect of world events, The Economist is one of the most widely recognised and well-read current affairs publications and the foundation of our digital consumer product portfolio.

Introduction to the role

We are seeking a Delivery Lead to join The Economist Group’s Technology team. This exciting role will help plan, manage and deliver the roadmaps for two squads within our Data, Research and Insights function. These squads are responsible for (1) audience data, and (2) data collection.

You will work closely with business analysts, insight analysts, data researchers, data scientists, data engineers, QA and stakeholders in this team to ensure end-to-end delivery and continuous improvement of the Agile ecosystem. It is important you have experience working within a scaled agile environment (not necessarily SAFe, we use our own combination of frameworks!). 

We’re looking for someone who can impact delivery metrics in relation to predictability, visibility and collaboration, ensure end-to-end delivery, coach a continuous improvement mindset for all teams, and contribute back to the Community of Practice.

The Economist is a passionate group of digital professionals who “click” with our content. We are a multi-disciplinary team in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, who value honest opinion and open debate. We’re in the business of building modern, state-of-the-art products, and delivering a first-rate customer experience. 

In this role you will be expected to:

• Lead and manage two squads. Perform the role of Agile Coach and Scrum Master for them. The squads:
• Audience Data squad (standard scrum squad of data engineers, BAs), using technologies like Blue Conic (CDP) 
• Data Collection squad (kanban model, works like a platform team), using technologies like Amplitude, Tealium.
• Deliver complex “end-to-end” initiatives that touch upon multiple Data and non-Data teams.
• Review end-to-end delivery and agile ways of working to ensure the squads are working optimally across the data disciplines and engineering.
• Manage detailed, predictable monthly roadmap plans (Jira Plans aka Advanced Roadmaps), quarterly roadmaps (e.g. Jira Product Discovery), and team capacity plans (Google <> Jira integrated worksheets).
• Ensure the overall integrity, predictability and visibility of the roadmap.
• Identify, eliminate and proactively manage dependencies between teams.
• Proactively monitor progress, so that you then take responsibility to take corrective action (e.g. to monitor fragmentation to resolve poorly managed dependencies).
• Liaise and coordinate third party suppliers and dependencies to deadlines.
• Report delivery progress at regular intervals through status reporting, and comms to exec stakeholders.

• Contribute and get buy-in to the Delivery function’s strategic goals of Visibility, Predictability and Collaboration.
• Willingness to grow, as we scale the organisation.
• Although this remit benefits from experience working with Data teams, the role itself is not domain specific. Product pillars (in any mature organisation) never remain static, and so as the organisation evolves you may move from domain to domain depending on demand.

Essential skills and knowledge 

• Significant experience within B2C or B2B product development.

Delivery experience working within Data teams. e.g. data collection and CDPs

• Experience coordinating and managing dependencies across multiple (including external) teams.
• Simultaneous management of multiple software development teams.
• Strong understanding of a variety of Agile approaches e.g. Scrum, Kanban, scaled Agile. Willing to not be prescriptive, and instead adapt ways of working.
• Use agile metrics (cycle time, throughput, Monte Carlo) to optimise team planning, estimation and ways of working.
• Advanced user of Google Suite (including Jira integrations), Miro for workshop facilitation, Jira and Confluence.
• Excellent coaching and mentoring skills - leading in Communities of Practices.
• Significant experience of successfully managing and delivering complex projects.
• Experience managing multiple software teams. 
• Experience coordinating and managing dependencies across multiple (including external) teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and able to challenge and influence decisions.
• Established leadership, time management, facilitation, and organisational skills.
• Ability to understand and articulate technical ideas clearly.
• Pragmatic and flexible, with a willingness to take on different roles and responsibilities in order to successfully deliver business initiatives.

Desirable skills and knowledge

• Understanding of product management methodology and practices. 
• Experience working in media or publishing.

Although this remit requires Data domain experience, the role itself is not domain specific. Pillars (in any mature organisation) don’t remain static, and so as the organisation evolves you may move from domain to domain depending on demand.

The Economist Group values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We welcome applicants regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, gender identity, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, age or marital status.

#LI-Hybrid OR #LI-Remote

What we offer

Benefits
We offer excellent benefits including an incentive programme, generous annual and parental leave policies, volunteering days and well-being support throughout the year, as well as free access to all Economist content. Country specific benefits are also offered.

Our Values
Our values are a collective set of beliefs and behaviours that strengthen The Economist Group's purpose and demonstrate where we want to be as an organisation. They reflect on our mission to pursue progress for individuals, organisations and the world.

Independence
We are not bound to any party or interest and encourage exploration and free-thinking. We champion freedom, both within our organisation and around the world.

Integrity
We are bold in our efforts to uncover the truth and stand up for what we believe in. We inspire trust through our rigour, fact-checking and transparency.

Excellence
We aspire to the highest standards in all we do. We are ambitious and inquisitive in our pursuit of continuous progress and innovation.

Inclusivity
We value diversity in thought and background and encourage healthy debate with a breadth of perspectives. We treat our colleagues and customers fairly and respectfully.

Openness
We foster a collaborative and empathetic culture conducive to the interests, wit and initiative of our colleagues. New ideas are our lifeblood.

The Economist Group values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues and potential colleagues regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, gender identity, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status or any other status.