Commercial & Liability Specialist - Smart Data Programme 6-month contract | £700 per day | Inside IR35 | Flexible working
Smart Data has the potential to transform how markets work for consumers and businesses. At the heart of this transformation sit commercial models, incentives and liability frameworks that make data-sharing trustworthy, sustainable and scalable.
We're seeking an experienced Commercial & Liability Specialist to join the Smart Data Programme on a 6-month contract. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping how Smart Data schemes are designed, governed and sustained across multiple sectors.
The opportunityWorking at the centre of government alongside regulators, industry and policy leaders, you'll influence:

• Commercial and funding models that underpin long-term Smart Data ecosystems
• Liability and risk frameworks that build trust and encourage participation
• Cross-scheme governance principles that will shape future regulation and secondary legislation under the Data (Use and Access) Act
• Your work will directly inform the Smart Data Guidebook, sector-specific Smart Data schemes and pilots.

What you'll do:

• Develop and assess commercial models for Smart Data schemes, including pricing, cost allocation and funding approaches
• Advise on financial incentives and cost structures that drive adoption and sustainability
• Shape liability and risk frameworks, including contractual arrangements, redress and consumer protections
• Provide expert input to the Governance workstream, embedding commercial sustainability into oversight and assurance models
• Lead development of the Guidebook chapter on Sustainability & Commercial Models
• Work with regulators, analysts and industry to test ideas and inform pilots

Experience required:

• Experience designing, assessing or working on the design of commercial and financial approaches in digital, data-intensive or regulated sectors.
• Experience developing or advising on liability frameworks, contractual risk allocation or governance models.
• Understanding of platform ecosystems, data-sharing models or interoperability frameworks.
• Ability to work credibly with senior regulators, industry stakeholders and government policy teams.

Desirable

• Experience contributing to trust frameworks, assurance regimes or digital market governance.
• Experience engaging with HM Treasury, regulators or competition authorities.
• Experience in sectors likely to implement Smart Data schemes (e.g. financial services, energy, telecoms, property, transport, digital markets).
• Knowledge of public sector commercial, legal or procurement practice.
• Familiarity with behavioural economics principles and adoption dynamics.
• Exposure to financial incentive design, pricing strategy, cost allocation modelling or market design economics.

Why apply?This is a high-impact role offering the chance to shape national data infrastructure, influence emerging regulation and design sustainable Smart Data markets that work for consumers and businesses alike.

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk