Senior Technical Services Owner – Data Engineering in Oxford

Senior Technical Services Owner – Data Engineering in Oxford

Oxford Full-Time 75000 - 80000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Oxford University Press

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead our Data Engineering team and deliver innovative data solutions across multiple projects.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company that values collaboration and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and generous holiday allowance.
  • Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in data engineering while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Strong background in Data Engineering with Microsoft tools and excellent communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 € per year.

We are seeking an experienced Technical Service Owner to be the primary technical delivery lead for our Data Engineering team within our Group Technology Division. Reporting to the Head of Integration & Data Engineering, this role will lead our data engineering function, working alongside project managers, enterprise/solution architecture and project teams to ensure efficient delivery and operational control, ensuring that the Data Engineering team offers the right technical service and that strategic objectives are appropriately balanced with project needs.

This is a hands-on technical delivery role which would suit a senior data engineer looking to progress to a wider team leadership role - you will lead a team of Data Engineers and offshore resources. You will define and implement, with the Head of Integration & Data Engineering and other stakeholders, best practices and technical controls with a focus on delivery efficiency and operational support. You'll ensure a high level of quality is maintained in the output of the team in all their work and continually assess the technical service that we offer to ensure its relevance, capability and efficiency.

You will require a strong technical background in Data Engineering using the Microsoft toolsets (SQL Server / TSQL, Fabric, SSMS, Data Factory or similar), Python, Azure and good communication skills to guide the team and the delivery of accurate, secure, well-governed data products and solutions. This role is a balance between technical leadership, business understanding and pragmatism.

Key responsibilities in this role will include:

  • Accountable for Data Engineering technical delivery across multiple projects and programmes across all the business divisions (Academic, Education, English Language Teaching).
  • Plan and drive the development of data engineering solutions, ensuring that solutions balance functional and non-functional requirements.
  • Work with and support Data Privacy and Security Teams, ensuring that our service is fully aware and compliant to GDPR and privacy legislation.
  • Build and maintain data pipelines and the data catalogues for ingesting data reliably and securely, ensuring good operational visibility and reliability.
  • Supporting the creation of Data Products within a Data Mesh architecture across multiple business domains.
  • Develop and maintain the Data Engineering technical services (currently based on Data Hub (SQL Server), Fabric, Alteryx Server, Azure Machine Learning, etc) to ensure their continued relevance to the business demand.
  • Collaborate with the Azure Cloud CoE function in the provision and shaping of the platforms & systems to enable cost efficiency and FinOps, and a secure, scalable environment.
  • Support the Integration & Data Engineering Delivery Manager in ensuring project timelines are met and technical solutions are appropriate to the projects and our data principles.
  • Coach the Data Engineering team and lead adoption in best practices and ensure their upskilling in emerging technologies.

We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have/be:

  • Experience in shaping data engineering strategies, roadmaps, policies, standards, procedures & methods.
  • Strong analysis and synthesis abilities, with extensive experience of working with data from complex sources and guiding teams to apply a range of techniques for data profiling.
  • An extensive delivery-oriented background with experience of full software development lifecycle and large transformation programmes, the application of appropriate standards & methods, and the provision of method specific technical advice and guidance to project stakeholders.
  • Detailed knowledge and understanding of data engineering approaches, techniques, tools and frameworks.
  • A customer focus – delivering quality functionality in a timely, efficient way that supports the business is our number one goal.
  • A robust, proactive & pragmatic delivery ethos with excellent stakeholder management, collaboration & communication skills.
  • A delivery-oriented background with experience of full software development lifecycle and managing competing priorities.
  • “Own the problem” approach – ensuring that problems are addressed promptly, taking responsibility for removing roadblocks, and efficiently resolving decisions with the right people.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex problems and influence senior non-technical and technical architects, project managers and other colleagues.
  • Familiarity with standard data engineering approaches, techniques, tools and frameworks.
  • Excellent Technical background with Data Engineering, fully familiar with Microsoft Cloud data technologies including Fabric & SQL Server.
  • Use of data pipelining / ETL tools e.g. Alteryx, Python Notebooks, Azure Data Factory etc.
  • Good understanding of Microsoft Purview and Power BI as companion areas of Data Engineering technology.
  • Understanding of cloud resources and networking.
  • Familiarity with the publishing industry.
  • Experience of technology domains beyond data including ERP (SAP), CRM or cloud services.

We care about work/life balance here at OUP. With this in mind we offer 25 days’ holiday that rises with service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (3-days) and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect to working patterns, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies.

We help make your money go further by contributing to your pension up to 12%, offering loans and savings schemes through our partnership with Salary Finance, in addition to travel to work schemes and access to a wide range of local discounts. This role comes with the added benefit of private medical insurance and a management bonus.

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.

£75,000 - £80,000 dependent on skills and experience.

Senior Technical Services Owner – Data Engineering in Oxford employer: Oxford University Press

At OUP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises work/life balance and employee well-being. With a commitment to professional growth, our Senior Technical Services Owner role provides opportunities for leadership development within a dynamic team, alongside competitive benefits such as generous holiday allowances, pension contributions, and private medical insurance. Located in Oxford, our hybrid working policy fosters flexibility while ensuring collaboration and innovation in data engineering.

Oxford University Press

Contact Detail:

Oxford University Press Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Services Owner – Data Engineering in Oxford

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 lookout for new opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.

Tip Number 2

Get your hands dirty with some practical projects. Showcase your skills by working on personal or open-source projects that highlight your expertise in SQL Server, Python, and Azure. This will not only boost your portfolio but also give you something tangible to discuss in interviews.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to explain complex data engineering concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Services Owner – Data Engineering in Oxford

Data Engineering
Microsoft SQL Server
TSQL
Azure Data Factory
Python
Data Privacy and Security Compliance
GDPR Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Technical Services Owner role. Highlight your experience with data engineering, Microsoft toolsets, and any leadership roles you've held. 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 data engineering and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific projects or experiences that relate to the job description.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role is hands-on, don’t shy away from showcasing your technical skills in SQL Server, Python, and Azure. We love seeing examples of how you've used these tools in past projects, so include relevant details!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford University Press

Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your technical skills, especially with Microsoft toolsets like SQL Server, TSQL, and Azure. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects and how they can be applied to the role you're interviewing for.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Senior Technical Services Owner, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've coached teams in best practices and how you've handled challenges in project delivery. This will show that you're not just technically savvy but also a great leader.

Understand the Business Needs

Familiarise yourself with the company's objectives and how the Data Engineering function fits into the bigger picture. Be prepared to discuss how you can balance technical delivery with business needs, ensuring that the solutions you propose are both efficient and aligned with strategic goals.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice explaining complex data engineering concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Think about how you can convey your ideas clearly during the interview.