At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data processing with AI agents, transforming messy documents into trusted datasets.
- Company: Innovative start-up revolutionising financial data processing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, profit share, equity, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Join a small, agile team with immense growth potential and VISA sponsorship available.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-ownership role with direct client interaction.
- Qualifications: 2-5 years of hands-on data experience and strong Python/SQL skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
This early stage start-up is processing hundreds of thousands of unstructured financial documents into clean, structured datasets for some of the world's largest financial institutions - producing the output of 50, with a team of 5. Forecasting £1.5m revenue within their first 12 months, they have immense potential - not based on hype or inflated valuations, but rather achieving mega productivity through intelligent application of AI agents. Their mid-term goal is ~£50m revenue with a sub-30 person team.
What's in it for you?
- Profit share. Cash in your account on a regular basis - not a promise of a huge payout IF the company succeeds and sells.
About the role
At most data companies, a dataset is the output of a large analyst team. Here, it's the output of a fleet of AI agents - directed by one person who stakes their reputation on it being right. You're not downstream. You're not cleaning data someone else built. You start from the source - raw documents, filings, internet data - and you build the dataset. You're the reason institutional clients - banks, hedge funds, investment firms - trust the data. AI agents do the extraction. You direct them, interrogate the output, catch what they miss and encode your judgement into validation systems that make the whole pipeline better over time. You'll also work directly with clients, explaining methodology to sophisticated buyers who need to understand what they're relying on. This isn't QA. It's the highest-ownership, most client-visible position in the company. Your name will be on the data. And for that, you'll have a very senior seat at the table.
Must have requirements:
- Roughly 2-5 years working directly with data at a company where data is the core product - not as an analyst consuming clean datasets, but building them from messy, unstructured sources.
- Demonstrable obsession with data quality - you know what great data looks like because you've spent time making it from scratch.
- You go to the row level. A missing data point or unexplained anomaly bothers you until it's resolved - not flagged and forgotten.
- Genuinely AI-native: you've been using agentic tooling long enough to have opinions on it - Claude Code, Cursor, OpenAI Agents SDK or equivalent, used on a daily basis.
- Python and SQL fluent - you've built and debugged pipelines, not just queried tables.
- Comfortable in the terminal, in codebases and in real-world messy data environments.
Bonus points for:
- Experience at a financial data provider (Bloomberg, Refinitiv, Preqin, FactSet etc.) or in quant/ESG research.
- You've built agents yourself - not just used them.
- Experience with LLMs in production / agentic workflow design.
- Web scraping and document parsing at scale.
- Experience in a small team (2-30 people) where you owned the whole function.
VISA sponsorship is available if needed (but you need to be already living in the UK).
Data Lead employer: Wave Group
As a Data Lead at our innovative start-up in Old Street, you'll be at the forefront of transforming unstructured financial data into valuable insights for top-tier financial institutions. We offer a dynamic work culture that prioritises hands-on contributions and fosters personal growth, with profit-sharing and equity options that reward your direct impact on the company's success. Join a small, agile team where your expertise will not only shape our data processes but also enhance your career in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and even referrals that could land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your data projects. This is your chance to demonstrate your obsession with data quality and your hands-on experience with AI tools. Make it easy for potential employers to see what you can do!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to data quality and AI tools. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail, especially how you've tackled messy data. We want you to shine and show them why you're the perfect fit for the Data Lead role!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Don’t hesitate – get your application in and let’s make some data magic happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Data Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Data Passion:When you're writing your application, let your love for data shine through! Share specific examples of how you've built datasets from scratch and your obsession with data quality. We want to see that you’re not just a number cruncher but someone who truly cares about the integrity of the data.
Be Hands-On:Since this role is fully hands-on, make sure to highlight your practical experience. Talk about the tools you've used, like Python and SQL, and any AI agents you've worked with. We’re looking for someone who’s been in the trenches, so don’t hold back on those details!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to tailor your application to our specific needs. Mention your experience with unstructured data and how you’ve tackled messy datasets. This shows us that you understand what we do and how you can contribute to our mission right from the get-go.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wave Group
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Make sure you can talk confidently about your experience with data. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've built datasets from scratch, and highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This role is all about ownership, so show them you're passionate about data quality!
✨Show Off Your AI Knowledge
Since this position involves working closely with AI agents, brush up on the tools you've used, like Claude Code or OpenAI Agents SDK. Be prepared to share your opinions on these tools and how they can improve data processing. They want someone who’s genuinely AI-native, so let that enthusiasm shine through!
✨Prepare for Client Interactions
You'll be explaining complex methodologies to clients, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely. Think of examples where you've had to communicate technical details to non-technical stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between data and client needs.
✨Get Comfortable with Real-World Messiness
This role requires a hands-on approach to messy data environments. Be ready to discuss your experiences dealing with unstructured data and how you’ve tackled anomalies. Share specific instances where your attention to detail made a difference in the final output, as this will resonate well with their focus on high-quality data.
