Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of UCL's enterprise data platform and drive AI innovation.
- Company: UCL, a top-ranked global university committed to tackling major challenges.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, pension scheme, gym access, and employee support services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in data strategy and empower a diverse community.
- Qualifications: Expertise in cloud data platforms, SQL, Python, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
UCL is a world-leading teaching and research university, often ranked in the top ten in the world with an annual turnover of well over £1 billion. Part of UCL's vision is to take on the hardest global challenges. The Information Services Division (ISD) is the primary provider of IT services to UCL. We support and enhance learning, teaching, research and administrative processes by providing information- and technology-related services to over 50,000 staff and students of UCL and associated institutions.
The Senior Technical Lead is a key role at UCL which ensures the continual build of sustainable internal capability, which delivers high quality enterprise-scale data services. This role also directly enables UCL's Data Strategy, democratisation of data, AI innovation, and compliance with regulatory requirements including HESA, UKVI, TEF, OfS and financial reporting.
You will be required to provide advanced technical leadership for architecting, building and scaling UCL's enterprise data platform. This includes modern data engineering, cloud data lakehouse development, distributed compute, data modelling, metadata/lineage services, self-service analytics enablement, and AI-driven data automation.
To be considered for this exciting and challenging role, the candidate will be required to have strong mix of the following technical skills and experience:
- Extensive expertise in modern cloud data platforms (Azure preferred).
- Strong experience designing and building enterprise-grade Data Lakes / Lakehouses, ETL/ELT, streaming, and distributed compute.
- Expertise in SQL, Python, data modelling, metadata management, data cataloguing and lineage.
- Strong understanding of governance, security, compliance and data quality frameworks.
- Ability to lead technical delivery in Agile and hybrid environments.
- Strong communication skills to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to lead and mentor technical teams, set engineering standards and influence direction.
- Experience with ITIL processes and release/change management.
- Experience building or scaling data platforms that support enterprise reporting, regulatory submissions and advanced analytics/AI.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people, and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Senior Technical Lead - Data Platforms in City of London employer: UCL
Contact Detail:
UCL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Lead - Data Platforms in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at UCL or similar institutions. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Make sure you can confidently discuss your experience with cloud data platforms and data engineering. We want you to shine when it comes to showcasing your expertise!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to tailor your approach! Research UCL’s Data Strategy and think about how your skills align with their goals. This shows that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
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. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Lead - Data Platforms in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Technical Lead role. Highlight your experience with cloud data platforms, data lakes, and any relevant technical skills. We want to see how your background aligns with UCL's needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to UCL's Data Strategy. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading technical teams, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've mentored others or influenced project direction. We want to know how you can inspire and guide our team!
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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and submit your materials!
How to prepare for a job interview at UCL
✨Know Your Data Platforms
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of modern cloud data platforms, especially Azure. Be ready to discuss your experience with building enterprise-grade Data Lakes and Lakehouses, as well as your approach to ETL/ELT processes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Technical Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor technical teams. Prepare examples of how you've influenced engineering standards and guided teams in Agile environments.
✨Communicate Complex Concepts Simply
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. This will be crucial in your role, so think of scenarios where you've successfully done this before.
✨Understand Compliance and Governance
Familiarise yourself with the regulatory requirements relevant to UCL, such as HESA and OfS. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance and maintained data quality in your previous roles.
