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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data engineering initiatives and build high-performing teams at Heathrow.
- Company: Join the iconic Heathrow Airport, a hub of innovation and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, generous leave, and private health insurance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data engineering in a dynamic, global environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in data engineering with expertise in Azure and Databricks.
- Other info: Hybrid working model and strong commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Overview hackajob is collaborating with Heathrow to connect them with exceptional tech professionals for this role. In this pivotal senior leadership role, you’ll shape and deliver the engineering vision behind our data products, pipelines, and platforms. You’ll build a high‑performing team, drive DataOps maturity, and ensure our data ecosystem is reliable, scalable, secure, and ready for advanced analytics and AI. You’ll collaborate closely with leaders across Data Products, Data Governance, AI & Data Science, IT Architecture, and IT Platforms to create real business value - from airport operations to passenger experience.
Responsibilities
- Enterprise‑scale data engineering
- Automation, optimisation, and operational excellence across data pipelines
- Data architecture, integration, and governance enforcement
- High‑performing engineering teams and continuous improvement culture
- Supplier, vendor, and financial management for data engineering services
Essential Skills
- Proven leadership in complex, regulated enterprise environments
- Deep expertise in Microsoft Azure, Databricks, and modern cloud‑native data engineering
- Strong DataOps/MLOps delivery experience
- Excellent stakeholder management up to Exec level
- Data architecture expertise & experience managing multimillion‑pound budgets
About Us
There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities. Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore. It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. Join us on that journey and we’ll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there’s no place like Heathrow.
Our rewards
We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.
Working Location
Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.
Sustainable Travel to work
Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.
Equal Opportunities
As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger - not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.
Head of Data Engineering employer: hackajob
Contact Detail:
hackajob Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data engineering field, especially those who might have insights into Heathrow or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s culture and values. Understand how they align with your own experiences and leadership style. This will help you showcase how you can contribute to their ambitious plans.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note expressing your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you on their radar and shows your genuine interest in joining their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about wanting to be part of the Heathrow journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Data Engineering role. Highlight your leadership experience and expertise in data engineering, especially with Microsoft Azure and Databricks. We want to see how your skills align with our vision!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about data engineering and how you can contribute to our team at Heathrow. Be sure to mention any relevant projects or achievements that showcase your capabilities.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: In this role, you'll be collaborating with various leaders across departments. Make sure to highlight your experience in stakeholder management, especially at the executive level. We love seeing examples of how you've successfully navigated complex environments!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our amazing team at Heathrow!
How to prepare for a job interview at hackajob
✨Know Your Data Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of data engineering principles, especially around Microsoft Azure and Databricks. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented DataOps in previous roles and how it can drive efficiency in a complex environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Data Engineering, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of continuous improvement. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Understand the Business Impact
Heathrow is all about creating real business value. Be prepared to discuss how your work in data engineering has positively impacted operations or customer experience in past roles. This will show that you understand the bigger picture and can align technical goals with business objectives.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Stakeholder management is key for this role. Think about how you've successfully collaborated with different teams and executives in the past. Be ready to share strategies for effective communication and how you’ve managed expectations across various levels of an organisation.
