At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to design and build innovative data solutions.
- Company: Join South West Water, transforming data for a sustainable future.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working, and healthcare perks.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by turning complex data into actionable insights.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading data teams and delivering cloud-based data platforms.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
At South West Water, we’re transforming how we use data to deliver essential services, improve customer outcomes, and support a sustainable future. We’re looking for a Data Engineering Manager to lead our data engineering capability, combining technical expertise, leadership, and strategic thinking to unlock the full value of our data.
The Role
- Lead and develop a high-performing team of Data Engineers, driving the design, build, and operation of reliable, scalable data platforms and products.
- Shape how we deliver modern, cloud‑based data engineering while ensuring the stability and evolution of legacy systems.
- Help turn complex data into actionable insights that support business decisions and long‑term strategy.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead & Develop Talent – Build, coach, and mentor a motivated data engineering team, fostering growth and high performance.
- Drive Delivery – Plan and prioritise work aligned with business objectives and platform roadmap.
- Design & Build Modern Data Solutions – Deliver high‑quality pipelines, data models, and products using tools such as Databricks and Microsoft Fabric.
- Manage Legacy Systems – Oversee maintenance and modernisation of SQL Server and SSIS environments.
- Champion Best Practice – Embed strong engineering standards including CI/CD, testing, security, and documentation.
- Improve Data Reliability – Continuously enhance data quality, stability, and performance.
- Collaborate Widely – Work across architecture, analytics, governance, and business teams to deliver impactful solutions.
- Ensure Operational Excellence – Balance innovation with platform reliability, cost efficiency, and performance.
- Influence Strategy – Contribute to future platform decisions, tooling, and ways of working.
- Measure Success – Define and track KPIs to drive continuous improvement.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience leading and developing data engineering or technical teams.
- Strong background in delivering production‑ready data platforms and pipelines.
- Experience with cloud data platforms (ideally Azure Databricks).
- Knowledge of legacy environments (SQL Server, SSIS) and migration approaches.
- Track record of delivering complex, outcome‑focused data initiatives.
- Strong stakeholder engagement across technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Experience with DevOps / CI‑CD practices for data platforms.
- Understanding of governance, security, and data quality in enterprise environments.
Qualifications Required:
- Degree in Computer Science, IT, or equivalent experience.
- Hands‑on expertise in modern data engineering (ELT, lakehouse, medallion architecture, orchestration).
Desirable:
- Microsoft Fabric or Azure Databricks certification.
- ITIL Foundation or Managing Professional.
- Agile / Scrum certification.
Benefits
- Competitive Salary – Based on experience and skills.
- Annual Bonus Scheme – Recognising company performance.
- Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future.
- Flexible Working Options – We value work‑life balance and offer flexible hours and hybrid working where possible.
- Healthcare Benefits – Access to employee assistance programs.
- Employee Discounts – On various products and services.
- Annual Leave – Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement.
Data Engineering Manager in Exeter employer: Pennon Group Plc
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and employee development. Our collaborative work culture fosters a supportive environment where you can lead a talented team in transforming data into actionable insights, all while enjoying competitive benefits such as flexible working options, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth. Join us in our mission to deliver essential services and create a sustainable future, making a meaningful impact in the community.
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