At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of a cutting-edge data platform and manage a dynamic team.
- Company: Join a leading global telco with a focus on data monetisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous bonuses, healthcare, and flexible holiday options.
- Other info: Opportunity to innovate with one of the UK's largest datasets.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data engineering and drive real business impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in data engineering and full-stack data experience.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 128000 £ per year.
This isn't a data engineering job where you maintain someone else's mess. You're building the platform. Our client sits on one of the most valuable datasets in the UK. Millions of customers. Rich behavioural signals. A complex, multi-source data ecosystem that most companies could only dream of. The problem? That value doesn't unlock itself. Right now, they're building the infrastructure to turn raw data into high-value customer signals and commercial data products, and they need the right person to lead it.
As Head of Data Engineering, you'll own the architectural strategy, lead a team of four Product Data Engineers, and sit at the intersection of technical delivery and business outcomes. You'll report into the Director of Data Monetisation and work with stakeholders from engineers up to C-suite.
What You'll Own
- Define the architecture - Own the technical strategy for a data product platform that's extensible, reusable, and built to last - not patched together as requirements evolve.
- Lead the team - Manage the agile process, run standups, own the backlog and roadmap, and mentor four Product Data Engineers to grow technically and professionally.
- Drive quality and governance - Set high standards across accuracy, platform SLAs, privacy, and data lineage - and make sure they hold throughout the entire data lifecycle.
- Push innovation - Evaluate and prototype new technologies and tooling. You'll have room to shape how the team works, not just what it builds.
- Deliver commercial value - Stay close to data consumers and paying customers to keep product development tied to outcomes that actually matter to the business.
What They're Looking For
- Proven technical leadership: You've led a team of engineers remotely, challenged architectural decisions, and driven the right practices for the team.
- Full-stack data experience at scale: Ingestion, ML/AI modelling, analytics. You've designed complex end-to-end solutions, not just one layer of the stack.
- Google Cloud hands-on experience: BigQuery, Analytics Hub (BQ Sharing), Cloud Functions and DBT Cloud specifically. Comparable cloud experience considered for strong candidates.
- Commercial mindset: You can demonstrate data product adoption and articulate the time and cost value of what you've built.
- External data product experience: You've built SaaS or data products for external partners, including data contracts, integrations, and privacy constraints.
- Agile fluency: Jira and Confluence are part of your daily life. You handle ambiguity well and thrive in fast-moving environments.
- Python and SQL coaching ability: You can develop engineers, not just write clean code yourself.
Bonus Experience
- Nice to have, but not required: Experience building new products from scratch rather than inheriting legacy systems.
- Sensitive datasets in regulated industries, especially telco Data cleanrooms - Google, Snowflake or equivalent.
Why This Opportunity Is Worth Your Time
- Real architectural scope: Own the direction of a strategic data platform at one of the UK's largest telcos - not just execute someone else's vision.
- Interesting data at scale: UK-scale telco data. Complex signals. The kind of dataset that takes years to build.
- Commercial backing: Data monetisation is a growth priority. This team has real business support behind it.
- Strong benefits: 40% bonus long-term incentive plan after 3 years service, Bupa healthcare from day one, income protection, life assurance, birthday day off, and the option to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday.
Most data engineering roles ask you to maintain what's already there. This one asks you to build what comes next. If that's the kind of problem you want to spend your time on, apply now to find out more!
Head of Data Engineering employer: Job Search Place Limited
As the Head of Data Engineering at a leading global blue chip company in London, you will be part of a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and professional growth. With a competitive salary package, extensive benefits including private healthcare and a generous bonus structure, this role offers the unique opportunity to shape the future of data monetisation while working with one of the UK's most valuable datasets. Join a collaborative team where your leadership will directly impact business outcomes and drive meaningful change.
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 people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal project that highlights your data engineering expertise. This is your chance to demonstrate what you can do beyond the CV – make it shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to data architecture and team leadership. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your experience and vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Data Engineering role. Highlight your technical leadership and full-stack data experience, as well as any relevant cloud technologies you've worked with.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven innovation and delivered commercial value in previous positions, and don't forget to mention your experience with agile methodologies!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role requires hands-on experience with Google Cloud and data product development, make sure to include any relevant projects or achievements that demonstrate your expertise in these areas. We want to see what you can bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out on the chance to lead a team and shape the future of data engineering!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Make sure you understand the datasets you'll be working with. Familiarise yourself with the types of data, their sources, and how they can be monetised. This will help you articulate your vision for the architecture and demonstrate your commercial mindset during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your experience leading teams, especially in remote settings. Highlight specific examples where you've mentored engineers or driven architectural decisions. This will show that you can manage the agile process and lead a team effectively.
✨Demonstrate Technical Proficiency
Brush up on your full-stack data experience, particularly with Google Cloud tools like BigQuery and DBT Cloud. Be ready to discuss how you've designed complex end-to-end solutions and how you can push innovation within the team.
✨Connect with Business Outcomes
Think about how your previous projects have delivered commercial value. Be prepared to discuss how you've tied product development to business outcomes and how you can maintain that focus in this role. This will resonate well with stakeholders from engineers to C-suite.
