Data Acquisition Lead in London
Data Acquisition Lead

Data Acquisition Lead in London

London Full-Time 42000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to manage data ingestion and integration into our Azure platform.
  • Company: Join Thames Water, a leader in utility services with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary up to £70,000, generous annual leave, and career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring high-quality data for analytics across the organisation.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in data engineering, leadership skills, and strong Azure expertise.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on collaboration and professional development.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.

Thames Water is looking for a Data Acquisition Lead to manage the team responsible for ingesting and integrating data from core business systems into our Azure-based Enterprise Data Platform. You’ll lead a team of Data Engineers and Data Business Analysts, own the end‑to‑end acquisition process, and ensure high‑quality, reliable data pipelines that power analytics across the organisation.

What you’ll be doing as a Data Acquisition Lead:

  • Lead and mentor a team of Data Engineers and Data BAs.
  • Own data ingestion pipelines from source systems into the Azure data lake.
  • Design and implement ETL/ELT processes using Azure Data Factory, Databricks, and PySpark.
  • Work with Data Architects and Data Scientists to prioritise and deliver required datasets.
  • Solve complex data integration challenges, including APIs and unstructured data.
  • Maintain data standards, documentation, and data quality across all pipelines.
  • Support analytics and BI teams with trusted, well‑engineered data flows.

Essential Skills & Experience:

  • Extensive experience as a Data Engineer with leadership capability.
  • Strong Azure full‑stack experience, including:
  • Azure Data Factory (expert)
  • Azure Databricks administration (clusters, security, Delta Lake)
  • ADLS Gen2 (permissions, structure, lifecycle)
  • Azure DevOps (CI/CD for data pipelines)
  • Strong PySpark skills: writing scalable transformations, optimising Spark jobs, working with Delta Lake.
  • Excellent SQL and Python.
  • Experience with data warehousing and data modelling.
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
  • Understanding of data use within utilities (desirable).
  • What’s in it for you?

    • Competitive salary of up to £70,000 per annum depending on experience.
    • Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service.

    Data Acquisition Lead in London employer: idibu

    Thames Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets collaboration. As a Data Acquisition Lead, you will not only lead a talented team but also have access to extensive professional development opportunities and a competitive salary package, all while contributing to vital projects that enhance data-driven decision-making in the utilities sector. With a strong focus on employee well-being and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, Thames Water stands out as a rewarding place to build your career.
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    Contact Detail:

    idibu Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Data Acquisition Lead in London

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data engineering field and let them know you're on the hunt for a Data Acquisition Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous projects, especially those involving Azure Data Factory, Databricks, and PySpark. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common data integration challenges. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled similar issues in the past, especially with APIs and unstructured data. Confidence is key!

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles that match your skills. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at Thames Water.

    We think you need these skills to ace Data Acquisition Lead in London

    Data Engineering
    Leadership Skills
    Azure Data Factory
    Azure Databricks
    PySpark
    ETL/ELT Processes
    Data Integration
    APIs
    Data Quality Management
    SQL
    Python
    Data Warehousing
    Data Modelling
    Stakeholder Engagement
    Communication Skills

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Data Acquisition Lead role. Highlight your experience with Azure, ETL processes, and team leadership. We want to see how your skills align with what Thames Water is looking for!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about data acquisition and how you can lead a team effectively. Be sure to mention specific projects or achievements that showcase your expertise.

    Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t hold back on your technical prowess! Make sure to detail your experience with Azure Data Factory, Databricks, and PySpark. We love seeing concrete examples of how you've tackled data challenges in the past.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!

    How to prepare for a job interview at idibu

    ✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

    Make sure you’re well-versed in Azure Data Factory, Databricks, and PySpark. Brush up on your ETL/ELT processes and be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past projects. The more specific examples you can provide, the better!

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    As a Data Acquisition Lead, you'll be managing a team. Prepare to talk about your leadership style and experiences. Think of instances where you've mentored others or led a project successfully, and be ready to share those stories.

    ✨Understand the Bigger Picture

    Familiarise yourself with how data flows within utilities and how it impacts business decisions. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to analytics and BI teams by ensuring high-quality data pipelines that support their needs.

    ✨Engage with Stakeholders

    Strong communication skills are key for this role. Think about how you've engaged with stakeholders in the past. Be ready to explain how you prioritised their needs and delivered results, as this will show your ability to bridge technical and business requirements.

    Data Acquisition Lead in London
    idibu
    Location: London

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