At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop robust data management and engineering capabilities.
- Company: Join the Health Foundation, dedicated to building a healthier UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace focused on diversity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health services while leading innovative data projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in data engineering and management, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 81869 - 81869 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £81,869
Contract Type: Permanent, full time or part time
Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week. All staff are required to work in person for a minimum of two days per week, in line with our hybrid working policy. The post-holder may be required to undertake some work outside normal working hours.
About the Health Foundation
Health is our most precious asset. Good health enables us to live happy, fulfilling lives, fuels our prosperity and helps build a stronger society. Yet good health remains out of reach for too many people in the UK, and health and care services are struggling to provide access to timely, high-quality care. The Health Foundation is an independent charitable organisation with a mission to build a healthier UK. We work to achieve this by generating high‑quality research and analysis; developing practical solutions to the biggest problems in health and health services; engaging, convening and building coalitions to build understanding, inform debate and drive action; and developing the long‑term capability needed to transform health and care.
Our Values
We expect everyone who works with us to be committed to our values and to share our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation. Our values are impact, evidence, integrity, and collaboration.
About the Role
This role is head of our Data Engineering and Data Management team, working closely with the Deputy Directors and Director of Analysis. You will work alongside senior analytical experts in the Analysis directorate, and other colleagues across the Foundation to design and implement robust data management and data engineering capabilities that support current and future analytical projects. You will be responsible for leading a team of five data engineers and data managers. Your team will provide access to analysis‑ready data, ensure compliance with data protection, information governance and security requirements across all of our systems. You will act as the owner of our data analytics platform, and as the customer for any external data engineering suppliers.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensuring compliance with data protection, information governance and security requirements across all systems.
- Acting as owner of our data analytics platform, and as the customer for external data engineering suppliers.
- Leading the development and maintenance of secure, well‑documented databases, data pipelines and platforms, ensuring accessibility, reproducibility and governance.
- Working closely with colleagues across the directorate to understand their data needs and ensuring our data infrastructure enables efficient, collaborative analysis.
- Managing and supporting a team of data engineers and managers, promoting a culture of continual improvement, innovation, reliability and technical excellence.
How to Apply
Our priority is to find the right individual for each opportunity. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace that values diversity. If you would like to apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement that answers the following application questions:
- Why would you be well suited to this role? What skills, knowledge and experience would you bring to it? (max. 300 words)
- Data engineers prioritise speed and agility, while data management demands strict governance and compliance. Using examples of where you’ve done this in the past, outline your strategy for embedding data governance directly into modern engineering workflows. (max. 300 words)
- Using examples, please describe how you would manage the competing demands of a range of stakeholders to translate the strategic aims of the Health Foundation into a deliverable work programme for the data engineering and data management team. For example, how would you prioritise the onboarding of different data assets? (max. 300 words)
- Please share an example of your technical leadership, outlining how you have mentored team members to build solutions, enabling them to create solutions themselves and providing them with the understanding to apply this knowledge broadly going forward. (max. 300 words)
Our Commitment to Equality, Inclusion and Diversity
We are committed to an inclusive hiring process, where every candidate has the chance to showcase their unique skills and experience in an accessible and supported environment, to ensure that we can make the best appointment for each opportunity on merit. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those from underrepresented groups in this field to apply to us. We have identified three key areas to improving diversity. Our aim is to achieve a more balanced representation across our organisation, with a particular focus on increasing the number of women in leadership, enhancing the representation of people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds and welcoming more people with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we strongly encourage applications from these groups.
Apply to join our team and let’s work towards building a more diverse and inclusive workplace together.
Closing date: 15th June 2026, 23:59
Head of Data Engineering employer: THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Health Foundation is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where every team member can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team in a role that directly impacts health services across the UK, all while enjoying a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Join us in our mission to build a healthier society and be part of a collaborative culture that values integrity, evidence, and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at the Health Foundation. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to data engineering and management. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers – it helps you showcase your experience effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for health and data! When you get the chance to speak with interviewers, share why you care about improving health services and how your skills can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Data Engineering role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with our mission at the Health Foundation. We want to see how you can contribute to building a healthier UK!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement:Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Answer the application questions clearly and concisely, using examples from your past experiences. We’re looking for specific instances where you've demonstrated your skills in data governance and stakeholder management.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:When discussing your technical leadership, be sure to highlight how you've mentored others. We value collaboration and innovation, so share examples that show how you've empowered your team to excel and solve problems independently.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a candidate for the Head of Data Engineering, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of data management and engineering principles. Brush up on your knowledge of data governance, compliance, and security requirements. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a team, so be prepared to share specific examples of how you've led teams in the past. Highlight your mentoring experiences and how you've fostered a culture of innovation and technical excellence within your team.
✨Understand Stakeholder Needs
The ability to manage competing demands from various stakeholders is key. Think about how you would prioritise different data assets and be ready to discuss strategies you've used to translate strategic aims into actionable work programmes in previous positions.
✨Align with Their Values
The Health Foundation values impact, evidence, integrity, and collaboration. Make sure to weave these values into your responses during the interview. Share examples that demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as how you've contributed to a collaborative work environment.
