Head of Data Engineering / Hybrid Working Leeds

Oliver James Associates Ltd.; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Head of Data Engineering / Hybrid working Leeds

About the Role:

We are seeking a visionary and experienced Head of Data Engineering to join a growing team. This is a brand-new role designed for someone who is passionate about driving data strategy, building data infrastructure, and ensuring seamless integration of new data sets. You'll have the unique opportunity to take ownership of the Azure Synapse environment, which has already been deployed for the past couple of years, and work on scaling and optimizing it for the future.

As the Head of Data Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in integrating data definitions, metadata, and ensuring a seamless data flow from systems into Azure Synapse. You will be responsible for the architectural design, implementation, and expansion of the data ecosystem, working alongside business units to integrate data into business processes and ensuring that data governance, risk management frameworks, and controls are followed rigorously.

This is a leadership role, where you will initially work independently, taking the reins as the Data Engineering Lead, with the intention to build and scale out a high-performing data engineering team over time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead & Build: Lead the integration of new data sets into the Azure Synapse environment while ensuring scalability and performance. Initially operate as the sole leader of data engineering efforts, with plans to expand the team.
• Data Architecture: Design and optimize data architecture, ensuring it supports business needs while maintaining a robust and sustainable data platform.
• Integration & Automation: Work on integrating data definitions, metadata, and key business data into the data architecture, building out self-service data capabilities for internal teams.
• Governance & Controls: Implement and maintain data governance, risk management frameworks, and data controls to ensure data quality and compliance with industry standards.
• Collaboration: Partner with key stakeholders across IT, business units, and other departments to ensure data integration and self-serve solutions are aligned with business objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive the evolution of the Azure Synapse environment, optimizing data pipelines, performance, and overall system architecture.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Extensive experience in data engineering with a strong focus on Azure Synapse or similar cloud data platforms.
• Expertise in data architecture and understanding of complex data integration and ETL/ELT processes.
• Proven experience integrating new data sets into an established data platform and optimizing data storage and processing.
• In-depth knowledge of metadata management, self-serve data models, and data governance principles.
• Strong understanding of risk management frameworks, data controls, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
• Familiarity with Microsoft technologies (Azure, Power BI, SQL Server, etc.) and cloud data management practices.
• Previous experience leading data engineering projects or teams is highly desirable, with a strategic mindset for team growth and development.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with both technical teams and non-technical stakeholders.

Why Join?

• Opportunity to shape and grow the data engineering function from the ground up.
• Work with cutting-edge technologies in a cloud-first environment (Azure Synapse).
• Lead the charge in building a self-service data culture that empowers the business to make data-driven decisions.
• Competitive salary and benefits package with flexible work arrangements.
• Be part of an exciting journey in transforming data strategy and architecture for the future.

Interested?

If you are passionate about data engineering, Azure, and building scalable, cutting-edge data ecosystems, we would love to hear from you! Apply today or email [e-mail] .