Head of Technology - Data - 24m FTC in London

We’re a 150+ year old business that operates on an incredible scale. A multi‑channel, multi‑brand business serving millions of customers a day, with the UK’s largest loyalty scheme and an ever‑evolving set of digital platforms. All this equals over 1.2 billion transactions each year, presenting a volume, depth and complexity of data that few can match. With data from our 10 million+ Nectar users, Black Friday days that make Argos the 3rd biggest website in the UK, and supply‑chain integration that gets the right products to the right locations on time, every time.

From the insights gained we build scalable, high‑performance products using cutting‑edge technology that give our customers an amazing shopping experience – like our award‑winning Smartshop app. In an inclusive, agile environment you’ll have the space to be curious, experiment, and solve real‑world challenges. And you’ll get to see your creations in the hands of millions of people across the UK.

Joining Sainsbury’s Tech as the Head of Technology in Data means being at the forefront of technology innovation in one of the UK’s leading multi‑channel, multi‑brand retailers. You will be responsible for the delivery and maintenance of data flow which is critical to our organisation’s ability to make data‑driven decisions through analytics, reporting and algorithmic solutions.

As a key leader you will have the opportunity to shape and define our technology strategy, working closely with strategic partners and internal stakeholders to drive impactful outcomes. In this role you will provide inspirational leadership to a talented team, fostering a culture of agility, innovation, and high technical standards. With a focus on continuous improvement and delivery assurance you will have the chance to make a real impact on our organisation, while collaborating with senior stakeholders across the business.

What you’ll do

As the Head of Technology at Sainsbury’s Tech you will play a critical role in defining the technology strategy in collaboration with strategic partners. Reporting to the Senior Head of Engineering you will be accountable for ensuring technical, service and delivery standards are met across a diverse portfolio, inspiring and engaging teams at all levels within the organisation through your thought leadership and innovative mindset. You will maintain financial control of a significant budget, provide technical assurance and oversee the delivery of partner outcomes. Additionally you will champion service management, vendor management and contribute to broader initiatives while collaborating with internal stakeholders, platinum partners and senior leaders. Your ability to make strategic decisions, drive data and engineering acumen, and ensure high‑quality service provision will be crucial in shaping and delivering the technology strategy for Sainsbury’s Tech.

Who you are

• Highly knowledgeable and influential leader in defining technology strategy and ensuring delivery of technical, service and delivery standards across a large and diverse portfolio.
• Extensive experience working with large‑scale third‑party technology suppliers, solid understanding of data engineering and warehousing patterns, cloud‑native design techniques, service management and delivery management.
• Strong data technology domain experience, ability to identify and deliver continuous improvement, drive innovation, foster a culture of high technical standards and achieve exceptional results.
• Balanced leader who collaborates and communicates with stakeholders at all levels, both internally and with strategic technology partners, while inspiring direct team and fostering an environment that enables colleagues to excel.
• Expertise, strategic thinking and ability to make critical financial decisions contribute to the overall success of the organisation.

What I need to know

• Significant and in‑depth experience working with large‑scale third‑party technology suppliers and managing complex partner relationships.
• Track record of building and managing good supplier relationships.
• Experience in improving and maintaining quality of output from third‑party teams.
• Broad industry knowledge of data technologies, service management and delivery management at enterprise scale.
• Good grounding in technology and data software delivery including system design, data pipeline development or delivery management.
• Extensive experience in technology leadership roles managing large budgets and complex portfolios.
• Proven track record demonstrating strong commercial acumen and delivering financial value.
• Substantial experience managing offshore and nearshore delivery teams at scale (30+ colleagues).
• Proven experience identifying and delivering continuous improvement through innovation, commercial optimisation or service enhancement.
• Strong track record building and maintaining executive‑level relationships with strategic technology partners.
• Experience operating at senior stakeholder level including engagement with executive leadership.
• Demonstrable success leading cultural change, agile transformation and operational improvement initiatives.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to apply these at scale to colleagues in matrix structures both inside and outside the organisation.
• Ability to coach others to make customer‑oriented decisions and share stories of exceptional customer service.
• Knowledge of data engineering, AI/ML platforms and emerging technology trends.
• Experience with cloud platforms and technologies (e.g. AWS, Azure, Snowflake) and cloud transformation initiatives.
• Understanding of retail technology landscape and e‑commerce platforms.
• Experience with global technology partnerships and multi‑vendor governance.
• Background in technology transformation or large‑scale change programs.

Benefits

We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, welcoming you wherever you work. Flexible working is offered where possible. Benefits include colleague discount, pension scheme, life cover, performance‑related bonus up to 65% of salary, annual holiday allowance with option to purchase additional week, private healthcare, season ticket loan, cycle‑to‑work scheme, health cash plans, salary advance, discounts from hundreds of other retailers, company car cash allowance or vehicle if you travel 10,000 business miles. Employee assistance programme available. Maternity or adoption leave up to 26 weeks’ pay, paternity leave up to 4 weeks’ pay.