Head of Data Engineering in Surrey

This job is with Allianz Commercial, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Allianz UK is seeking a Head of Data Engineering to play a pivotal role in shaping how data platforms and engineering capabilities enable decision‑making across the organisation.

You will lead and evolve Allianz's Data Engineering capability, driving large-scale transformation to modern, cloud-first platforms while delivering high-quality, business-critical data solutions. This is a strategic leadership role with significant influence across our UK business and data strategy.

Location: This role can be based in London, Guildford or Bournemouth, with an expectation to attend the office 50% of the time.

Salary Information
Pay is based on experience, skills and location and forms part of a competitive total rewards package.

About You

• You will define and lead the data engineering strategy, aligned to enterprise data, digital and AI ambitions.
• You will drive the migration from legacy platforms (e.g. SAS, Oracle) to modern cloud-based environments such as Databricks.
• You will build, inspire and lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams across multiple locations.
• You will embed agile ways of working, creating outcome-focused, high-performing squads.
• You will foster a culture of ownership, accountability, transparency and continuous improvement.
• You will partner with senior stakeholders to shape priorities and deliver business value through data.
• You will establish delivery frameworks including OKRs, metrics and data SLAs to drive performance and visibility.
• You will ensure engineering excellence through adoption of modern practices such as DataOps, CI/CD and automation.

Essential Skills

• Strong leadership experience within data engineering, including large-scale transformation programmes.
• Deep expertise in cloud data platforms, lakehouse architectures, and modern data engineering practices.
• Proven ability to lead and scale engineering teams across multiple locations and disciplines.
• Experience embedding agile methodologies and product-centric delivery models.
• Experience migrating from legacy technologies to modern cloud-native platforms.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence at senior/executive level.
• Knowledge of data governance, security, and regulatory requirements within a regulated environment.
• Excellent communication skills, able to translate technical concepts into business value.

Desirable Skills

• Experience within insurance or regulated financial services environments.
• Familiarity with Databricks and AI-augmented engineering tooling (e.g. Copilot, LLMs).
• Exposure to regulatory frameworks such as Solvency II or IFRS 17.
• Responsible Artificial Intelligence usage.

What We Will Offer You

Recognised and rewarded for a job well done, we have a range of flexible benefits for you to choose from - so you can pick a package that's perfect for you. We also offer flexible working options, global career opportunities across the wider Allianz Group, and fantastic career development and training. That's on top of enjoying all the benefits you'd expect from the world's number one insurance brand, including:

• Flexible buy/sell holiday options.
• Hybrid working.
• Annual performance related bonus.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Development days.
• A discount up to 50% on a range of insurance products including car, home and pet.
• Retail discounts.
• Volunteering days.

Our Ways of Working

Do you need flexibility with the hours you work? Let us know as part of your application and if it's right for our customers, our business and for you, then we'll do everything we can to make it happen. Here at Allianz, we are signatories of the ABIs flexible working charter. We believe in supporting hybrid work patterns, which balance the needs of our customers, with your personal circumstances and our business requirements. Our aim with this is to help innovation, creativity, and you to thrive - Your work life balance is important to us.

Integrity, Fairness, Inclusion & Trust

At Allianz, we believe in fostering an inclusive workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our commitment to equal opportunities, gender equity, and balanced gender representation, is demonstrated by our numerous accreditations: EDGE certified for gender inclusion, Women in Finance Charter members, Disability Confident employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion, Business in the Community's Race at Work Charter signatories, and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard employer.

We embrace neurodiversity and welcome applications from neurodivergent and disabled candidates, offering tailored adjustments to ensure your success. We encourage our employees to advocate for their needs, whether it's assistive technology, ergonomic equipment, mentoring, coaching, or flexible work arrangements.

Accessible Application for All

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we support candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions through the Offer an Interview Scheme, for those meeting the essential skills for the role. Contact our Resourcing team to opt into this scheme or for assistance with your application, including larger text, hard copies, or spoken applications.

For any inquiries or to submit your application, please contact: Matthew Mckevitt. Closing date 26/6/2026. We reserve the right to close the advert early if we reach enough applications.

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