Series B Hiring Role Matrix

Half the “Head of Data” searches I see are two different jobs wearing one title.

The matrix I draw for founders sizing their next data hire has two axes: what stage you’re at, and whether the gap is building or direction.

Seed to A, gap is building: hire a senior data engineer who thinks in systems. No team to manage exists yet; a manager here has nothing to manage and leaves.

Seed to A, gap is direction: that’s often not a hire at all. A fractional architect a couple of days a week sets the foundation while the engineers you have keep building. (This is the slot I fill, so weigh my bias accordingly.)

A to B, both gaps: an architect-lead hybrid who still builds 60% of the time and can grow into the leadership role as the team forms around them. Rare profile, worth the search.

Post-B with a 4+ person team: now “Head of Data” means it. Hire for direction, hiring and stakeholder work, and stop expecting them to build daily.

The recurring failure is diagonal: a manager hired to build, or a builder promoted to manage, each judged against the other job’s scorecard.

Which quadrant is your open data role actually in, and does the job post agree?