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- Tasks: Lead a team to manage data ingestion and integration into our Azure-based platform.
- Company: Thames Water, the UK's largest water and wastewater company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on data-driven decisions for millions of customers.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in data engineering and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to making a difference for communities and the planet.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.
Thames Water is looking for a Data Acquisition Lead to manage the team responsible for ingesting and integrating data from core business systems into our Azure-based Enterprise Data Platform. You’ll lead a team of Data Engineers and Data Business Analysts, own the end‑to‑end acquisition process, and ensure high‑quality, reliable data pipelines that power analytics across the organisation.
What you’ll be doing as a Data Acquisition Lead:
- Lead and mentor a team of Data Engineers and Data BAs.
- Own data ingestion pipelines from source systems into the Azure data lake.
- Design and implement ETL/ELT processes using Azure Data Factory, Databricks, and PySpark.
- Work with Data Architects and Data Scientists to prioritise and deliver required datasets.
- Solve complex data integration challenges, including APIs and unstructured data.
- Maintain data standards, documentation, and data quality across all pipelines.
- Support analytics and BI teams with trusted, well‑engineered data flows.
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Extensive experience as a Data Engineer with leadership capability.
- Strong Azure full‑stack experience, including:
- Azure Data Factory (expert)
- Azure Databricks administration (clusters, security, Delta Lake)
- ADLS Gen2 (permissions, structure, lifecycle)
- Azure DevOps (CI/CD for data pipelines)
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary up to £70,000 per annum depending on experience.
- Annual Leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
- Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Access to benefits supporting health, wellbeing and finances: annual health MOTs, physiotherapy and counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come. Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Data Acquisition Lead in Reading employer: Thames Water
Contact Detail:
Thames Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Acquisition Lead in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Thames Water. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or examples of your work with Azure Data Factory or PySpark, bring them along to interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise and stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Brush up on common data integration challenges and think about how you’d tackle them. Being ready to discuss real-world scenarios will show you’re the right fit for the Data Acquisition Lead role.
✨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 the Thames Water family.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Acquisition Lead in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your Azure expertise, leadership experience, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you fit into our Data Acquisition Lead role!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about data acquisition and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention your experience with ETL/ELT processes and data integration challenges.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Be specific about your technical abilities, especially with Azure Data Factory, Databricks, and PySpark. We love seeing examples of how you've solved complex data problems or optimised data pipelines in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to submit all your documents in one go. Plus, we’re here to support you throughout the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Azure Data Factory, Databricks, and PySpark. Brush up on your ETL/ELT processes and be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past projects. The more specific examples you can provide, the better!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Data Acquisition Lead, you'll be managing a team. Prepare to talk about your leadership style and experiences. Think of instances where you’ve mentored others or led a project successfully, and be ready to share how you handle challenges within a team.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with how data is used within utilities, especially in water management. This will help you connect your technical skills to the business needs of Thames Water. Showing that you understand their mission can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to face questions about complex data integration challenges. Think through some scenarios where you’ve solved difficult problems, particularly involving APIs or unstructured data. Be ready to explain your thought process and the steps you took to reach a solution.
