At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to build a cutting-edge data platform and drive innovation.
- Company: Join a leading global blue-chip company with a focus on data monetisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous bonuses, healthcare, and flexible holiday options.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and to work with valuable datasets.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data engineering and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in data engineering, full-stack experience, and cloud expertise.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 128000 £ per year.
This isn't a data engineering job where you maintain someone else's mess. You're building the platform.
Our client sits on one of the most valuable datasets in the UK. Millions of customers. Rich behavioural signals. A complex, multi-source data ecosystem that most companies could only dream of.
The problem? That value doesn't unlock itself. Right now, they're building the infrastructure to turn raw data into high-value customer signals and commercial data products, and they need the right person to lead it.
As Head of Data Engineering, you'll own the architectural strategy, lead a team of four Product Data Engineers, and sit at the intersection of technical delivery and business outcomes. You'll report into the Director of Data Monetisation and work with stakeholders from engineers up to C-suite.
What You'll Own- Define the architecture - Own the technical strategy for a data product platform that's extensible, reusable, and built to last — not patched together as requirements evolve.
- Lead the team - Manage the agile process, run standups, own the backlog and roadmap, and mentor four Product Data Engineers to grow technically and professionally.
- Drive quality and governance - Set high standards across accuracy, platform SLAs, privacy, and data lineage — and make sure they hold throughout the entire data lifecycle.
- Push innovation - Evaluate and prototype new technologies and tooling. You'll have room to shape how the team works, not just what it builds.
- Deliver commercial value - Stay close to data consumers and paying customers to keep product development tied to outcomes that actually matter to the business.
- Proven technical leadership: You've led a team of engineers remotely, challenged architectural decisions, and driven the right practices for the team.
- Full-stack data experience at scale: Ingestion, ML/AI modelling, analytics. You've designed complex end-to-end solutions, not just one layer of the stack.
- Google Cloud hands-on experience: BigQuery, Analytics Hub (BQ Sharing), Cloud Functions and DBT Cloud specifically. Comparable cloud experience considered for strong candidates.
- Commercial mindset: You can demonstrate data product adoption and articulate the time and cost value of what you've built.
- External data product experience: You've built SaaS or data products for external partners, including data contracts, integrations, and privacy constraints.
- Agile fluency: Jira and Confluence are part of your daily life. You handle ambiguity well and thrive in fast-moving environments.
- Python and SQL coaching ability: You can develop engineers, not just write clean code yourself.
- Nice to have, but not required: Experience building new products from scratch rather than inheriting legacy systems.
- Sensitive datasets in regulated industries, especially telco.
- Data cleanrooms - Google, Snowflake or equivalent.
- Real architectural scope: Own the direction of a strategic data platform at one of the UK's largest telcos — not just execute someone else's vision.
- Interesting data at scale: UK-scale telco data. Complex signals. The kind of dataset that takes years to build.
- Commercial backing: Data monetisation is a growth priority. This team has real business support behind it.
- Strong benefits: 40% bonus long-term incentive plan after 3 years service, Bupa healthcare from day one, income protection, life assurance, birthday day off, and the option to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday.
Most data engineering roles ask you to maintain what's already there. This one asks you to build what comes next. If that's the kind of problem you want to spend your time on, apply now to find out more!
Head of Data Engineering employer: Trades Workforce Solutions
As the Head of Data Engineering at a leading global blue chip company in London, you will be part of a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and professional growth. With a competitive salary package, extensive benefits including private health care and a generous bonus structure, this role offers the unique opportunity to shape the future of data monetisation while working with one of the UK's most valuable datasets. Join a collaborative team where your leadership will directly impact business outcomes and drive meaningful change.
Contact Details:
Trades Workforce Solutions Recruitment Team
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 connections in the data engineering field, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and even referrals that could get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your past projects, especially those involving data architecture and product development. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your vision! When you land an interview, be prepared to talk about how you would approach building a data platform from scratch. Share your ideas on innovation and how you’d drive commercial value through data.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews and connect with potential employers. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on new opportunities tailored just for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Data Engineering role. Highlight your technical leadership, full-stack data experience, and any relevant cloud technologies you've worked with.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've driven innovation and delivered commercial value in previous roles, especially in data product development.
Showcase Your Team Leadership:Since you'll be leading a team, it's crucial to demonstrate your experience in managing and mentoring engineers. Talk about your approach to agile processes and how you've helped teams grow technically and professionally.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you can easily keep track of your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trades Workforce Solutions
✨Know Your Data Architecture
Make sure you understand the principles of data architecture and how they apply to building scalable platforms. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in defining technical strategies and how you've tackled architectural challenges.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams, especially in an agile environment. Talk about how you've managed backlogs, mentored engineers, and driven quality standards in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be prepared to discuss how your work has directly contributed to business outcomes. Share specific instances where you've linked data product development to commercial value, showcasing your understanding of the business side of data engineering.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Technologies
Brush up on Google Cloud tools like BigQuery and DBT Cloud, as well as any comparable technologies. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in your previous projects and how they can be leveraged in this new role.
