At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic data team, guiding technical design and delivery while shaping engineering culture.
- Company: Fast-moving organisation in central Manchester with a collaborative and ambitious culture.
- Benefits: Up to £65,000 salary, 10% bonus, comprehensive benefits, and structured leadership development.
- Why this job: Step into a leadership role while maintaining technical influence and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience leading technical teams and strong understanding of data engineering concepts.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 £ per year.
Manchester (Hybrid: 3 days office / 2 days remote)
Salary: up to £65,000 + benefits + 10% bonus
The Opportunity
We’re partnering with a fast-moving, modern organisation in central Manchester who are looking for a Data Team Lead with a structured pathway into formal management. This role is perfect for someone who has experience leading or managing technical teams, whether in data engineering, analytics, or software development, and wants to step into a leadership position. You’ll start by guiding the team on technical design and delivery, then progressively take on people management responsibilities with dedicated leadership support and training. This is a rare chance to shape engineering culture, standards, and team direction without leaving technical influence behind.
We want someone who has managed or led technical teams (formally or informally) and is ready to step into a broader leadership role. You may not have been hands-on in every part of data engineering, but you understand the technology landscape, can guide engineers, and make strategic decisions for delivery and team growth.
What’s in it for you?
- Up to £65,000 salary
- 10% individual performance bonus
- Comprehensive benefits package with a focus on wellbeing and career development
- Structured leadership development and clear progression into management
- Collaborative, ambitious, and people-focused culture with regular social and recognition events
What you’ll be doing
Phase 1: Senior Technical Leadership
- Lead solution design and delivery across data platforms, applications, and automation capabilities
- Provide technical guidance and set engineering standards, architecture patterns, and best practices
- Support Azure-based platforms, pipelines, and services while translating business requirements into technical solutions
- Collaborate with product, analytics, and architecture teams to shape technical strategy
Phase 2: Management & Team Leadership (Progression)
- Line manage and develop a team of data engineers and software developers
- Own delivery planning, prioritisation, resourcing, and performance management
- Mentor, coach, and develop engineering talent
- Partner with stakeholders to define the team’s roadmap and strategy
Platform & DevOps Oversight
- Oversee CI/CD pipelines, DevOps processes, and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) practices
- Ensure deployments and delivery meet security, compliance, and architectural standards
Data Platform & Engineering
- Provide oversight of Azure Functions, Logic Apps, Data Factory/Fabric pipelines, and storage services
- Promote modern data engineering practices and support the team in adopting Microsoft Fabric
- Ensure high-quality data pipelines for analytics, operational platforms, and automation
AI & Future-State Enablement
- Support early AI/ML integration into business processes
- Ensure engineering platforms are ready for AI workloads and scalable deployment
Low-Code & Automation
- Oversee Power Platform solutions and provide guidance on governance and integration with engineering platforms
Who we’re looking for
Essential experience:
- Experience leading or managing technical teams (data engineers, analytics, or software developers)
- Strong understanding of data engineering concepts (pipelines, ETL/ELT, data modelling)
- Azure cloud experience (Azure DevOps, Data Factory, Azure SQL, Functions, Logic Apps)
- Experience translating business requirements into technical solutions
- Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Strong mentoring, coaching, and team development skills
Nice to have:
- Hands-on experience in Python, .NET, TypeScript, or API-first design
- Familiarity with Microsoft Fabric
- Exposure to AI/LLM concepts (RAG, embeddings, vector databases)
- Experience integrating Power Platform solutions in enterprise environments
Data Team Lead in Manchester employer: Insight Talent Partners
Contact Detail:
Insight Talent Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Team Lead in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data field and let them know you're on the lookout for a Data Team Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you've led teams in the past and how you can bring that experience to the table. Practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for data engineering and team development during interviews. Share examples of how you've mentored others or improved processes. This will help you stand out as a candidate who not only understands the tech but also values team growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We want to see your application and get to know you better. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your CV lands directly in the right hands.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Team Lead in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Data Team Lead role. Highlight your experience in leading technical teams and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of data engineering concepts and Azure cloud experience.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves stepping into a leadership position, be sure to highlight any previous management or mentoring experiences. We love seeing how you've developed talent and guided teams towards success!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Insight Talent Partners
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your data engineering concepts, especially around Azure cloud services. Be ready to discuss how you've led technical teams and the specific technologies you've worked with. This will show that you not only understand the tech but can also guide others effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've managed or mentored teams in the past. Think about your approach to team development and how you’ve fostered a collaborative environment. This is your chance to demonstrate your readiness for a leadership role!
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, so being able to bridge that gap is crucial. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your communication skills.
✨Align with Company Culture
Research the company’s values and culture. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially around collaboration and ambition. Showing that you fit into their people-focused culture can set you apart from other candidates.