Head of Data Engineering

Head of Data Engineering

Full-Time 72000 - 168000 £ / year (est.) Home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to build and optimise a cutting-edge data platform.
  • Company: Twinkl is transforming education through innovative data solutions for teachers worldwide.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, competitive salary, and a culture of learning.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing engineering teams and expertise in modern data tools required.
  • Other info: Join a culture that values curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 168000 £ per year.

The following content displays a map of the jobs location – Remote

Location:Fully flexible – remote, hybrid or office-based

Annual Salary:Up to £120k

Contract: Permanent

Twinkl is on an exciting journey to redefine how we serve our global teaching community through data. We\’re building a world-class data engineering function to power the next generation of our data platform, with modern tools and practices at our core.

As Head of Data Engineering, you’ll manage our existing engineers and build the team further so that it can develop our data platform of the future. You\’ll design and implement robust data systems that power our analytics and operational needs, working across our entire data platform, from batch processing to real-time event streams, ensuring our solutions are scalable, maintainable, and deliver real value to our users.

You\’ll have the opportunity to design and implement a data platform that drives the further growth of our already thriving business. The leadership team at Twinkl is highly ambitious and will challenge you to deliver the structured and monitored data that they need to take the business even further. You’ll also develop as a manager, by working with our existing team of strong engineers and developing the team culture with them.

You will:

Manage and continue to build a high performing team of Engineers

Develop an operating model for the team that balances building for the future with immediate business need

Build a modern data platform that underpins the organisation’s use of data

Design and optimize data models to enable a data-driven business from self-serve analytics to machine learning

Own the architecture of our data platform

Implement automated scoring to assure data quality and reliability

Work closely with senior leadership across the business to solve their data problems

Maintain legacy data platforms to ensure the business continues to run while delivering the future platform

Ensure data is catalogued and documented

Turn complex data problems into maintainable solutions

You should have:

Experience managing high performing engineering teams and setting them up for success

Ability to interface with the business and take their requirements to turn into project plans

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Strong experience with modern data engineering tools and practices

Understanding of event-driven architectures

Broad knowledge with cloud platforms and services – you’ll be primarily using AWS and Dagster

Expert knowledge of data modelling and warehouse design

Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code concepts

Experience implementing data quality checks that matter

Understanding of data lineage and metadata management

Most importantly, you should:

Be curious about how things work and always looking to learn more

Care about building reliable systems that make other people\’s jobs easier

Understand that sometimes \”boring\” technology is the right choice

Get satisfaction from cleaning up messy data problems

Want to work somewhere where you can have real impact, not just maintain the status quo

Our Data Team Culture:

We embrace modern data engineering practices and tools

We champion learning and development

We believe in empowering engineers to drive technical decisions

We focus on impact and outcomes over process

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Head of Data Engineering employer: Twinkl Limited

Twinkl is an exceptional employer that prioritises flexibility and employee growth, offering a fully remote, hybrid, or office-based work environment. With a strong focus on modern data engineering practices, Twinkl fosters a culture of learning and empowerment, allowing you to make a real impact while developing your skills alongside a high-performing team. Join us to be part of a dynamic leadership team that values innovation and collaboration in redefining how we serve our global teaching community through data.
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Contact Detail:

Twinkl Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Data Engineering

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest data engineering tools and practices, especially those mentioned in the job description like AWS and Dagster. This will not only help you understand the technical requirements but also demonstrate your commitment to staying current in the field.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the data engineering community, particularly those who have experience in leadership roles. Engaging in discussions about team management and modern data platforms can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in managing high-performing teams and how you've successfully balanced immediate business needs with long-term goals. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your leadership style and problem-solving skills.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your curiosity and passion for data by discussing recent projects or challenges you've tackled. Highlighting your proactive approach to learning and improving systems will resonate well with the values of the company.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Engineering

Team Management
Data Platform Architecture
Data Modelling
Cloud Services (AWS)
Event-Driven Architectures
Data Quality Assurance
Data Lineage and Metadata Management
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Project Planning
Infrastructure as Code
Data Engineering Tools and Practices
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Curiosity and Continuous Learning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in data engineering, team management, and the specific tools mentioned in the job description, such as AWS and Dagster. Use keywords from the job listing to ensure your application stands out.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for data engineering and how your experience aligns with Twinkl's mission. Mention specific projects where you've successfully managed teams or implemented data solutions that delivered real value.

Showcase Leadership Skills: Emphasise your experience in managing high-performing teams. Provide examples of how you've developed team culture and driven technical decisions, as these are crucial for the Head of Data Engineering role.

Highlight Problem-Solving Abilities: Demonstrate your ability to tackle complex data problems by sharing specific instances where you've turned challenges into maintainable solutions. This will show Twinkl that you can deliver impactful results.

How to prepare for a job interview at Twinkl Limited

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Head of Data Engineering, you'll be managing a team. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in leading high-performing teams, how you foster collaboration, and the strategies you use to motivate engineers. Highlight specific examples where your leadership made a tangible impact.

✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise

Familiarise yourself with modern data engineering tools and practices, especially those mentioned in the job description like AWS and Dagster. Be ready to discuss your experience with data modelling, architecture, and implementing data quality checks. This will show that you have the technical chops to lead the team effectively.

✨Understand the Business Needs

Twinkl is looking for someone who can interface with the business and translate their requirements into actionable project plans. Prepare to discuss how you've previously aligned technical solutions with business objectives and how you plan to do this at Twinkl.

✨Emphasise Your Curiosity and Problem-Solving Skills

The role requires a mindset focused on learning and solving complex data problems. Share examples of how you've tackled challenging data issues in the past, your approach to continuous learning, and how you ensure that the systems you build are reliable and user-friendly.

Head of Data Engineering
Twinkl Limited
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  • Head of Data Engineering

    Full-Time
    72000 - 168000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-08-11

  • T

    Twinkl Limited

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