At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and operation of our enterprise data environment and ensure reliable data pipelines.
- Company: A leading housing group managing over 30,000 homes in the region.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on data architecture while enjoying a supportive work culture.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in data architecture and cloud platforms, especially Azure.
The predicted salary is between 80962 - 80962 £ per year.
Salary: £80,962 + £4,936 salary supplement + excellent benefits
Location: Wooburn Green, High Wycombe or Letchworth Garden City
Hybrid: Minimum 2 days per week in the office, 3 days from home
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week
We are a leading housing group managing over 30,000 homes in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, committed to delivering high‑quality homes and community benefits.
About the Role
We are recruiting a Head of Data Architecture & Engineering to lead the design, development and operation of our enterprise data environment. This pivotal role supports trusted reporting, analytics and future advanced data capabilities.
About You
You are a technically credible and pragmatic leader with deep experience in enterprise data architecture, data engineering and cloud data platforms (Azure preferred). You build robust, secure, scalable platforms, lead high‑performing engineering teams and collaborate across technology, digital, infrastructure and business groups.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and evolve the enterprise data architecture
- Lead the design and operation of the enterprise data platform (warehouse / lake / lakehouse)
- Ensure reliable, automated data pipelines from core business systems
- Define and enforce data engineering standards and patterns
- Ensure data platforms are secure, resilient and cost‑effective
- Provide technical leadership for data integration across the organisation
- Work closely with application, infrastructure and security teams
- Lead and develop high‑performing engineering teams
Must Haves / Essential
- Significant experience as a Data Architect or equivalent enterprise‑level architecture role
- Experience leading data engineering and/or data platform teams
- Strong experience designing and operating cloud data platforms (Azure preferred)
- Experience developing platforms such as Fabric, Snowflake or Databricks
- Knowledge of enterprise architecture patterns and data integration approaches
- Strong communication, stakeholder management and technical leadership skills
- Confidence making architectural decisions and balancing long‑term strategy with practical delivery
Nice To Haves / Preferred
- Experience supporting large‑scale system integration or organisational change
- Experience working across complex, multi‑system environments
- Knowledge of modern data lake/lakehouse architectures
- Understanding of data security, resilience and platform governance
- Experience coaching and developing senior technical talent
- Experience in housing, public sector or regulated environments
Benefits
- Annual salary: £80,962 + £4,936 salary supplement per annum
- 25 days holiday, increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options
- Generous pension scheme – up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
- Family‑friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Health cash plan – claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids’ cover)
- Life cover and income protection
- Flexible working – hybrid options, modern offices, free parking & EV charging
- Mental Health First Aiders available to support
- Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues subject to conditions)
- Funded training, qualifications & apprenticeships
- 3 paid volunteering days in the local communities
- Peer‑recognition rewards platform
- Paid professional subscription (one per year)
Working Hours & Additional Pay
- 37 hours per week
- 09:00 – 17:30 Monday‑Thursday
- 09:00 – 17:00 Friday
- 1 hour for lunch
Our Commitment
We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disadvantaged socio‑economic backgrounds, people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented groups.
Accessibility and Adjustments
We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and are happy to accommodate suitable arrangements. Due to the nature of some roles involving vulnerable members of society, a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure may be required upon a conditional offer.
Closing Date: 05.07.2026
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