Head of Technical Data Services

Job Description

Head of Technical Data ServicesJOB PROFILEPurpose of the Job: This is the chance to become involved at the start of a new data programme within the UK, using your expertise to help deliver the companys ambitious data strategy. As part of the programme leadership team, you will play an instrumental role in the enablement of world-class data analytics and data science through a new cloud-based data-lake and virtual warehouse. The Head of Technical Data Services will work closely with the CDO (Chief Data Officer), Strategic Architect, Data Office and Data and BI specialists to bring data vision to life. You will be responsible for the management of a UK wide team and multiple systems providing various data services across the whole of UK to both internal and external customers. As well as managing existing data services you will be working with consultants and specialists to design, deploy and maintain a new, modern AWS data environment, utilising the latest technology and innovations. This is an exciting role for an experienced technical expert/manager who is looking for career progression working with latest technologies and modern data practises. This role reports into the newly appointed Chief Data Officer.Key Accountabilities:*You will primarily be responsible for the design, build, test and deployment of a new data services solution.*You will play a pivotal role in developing the new AWS data lake to significantly enhance business insight and value. *You will lead a newly formed data team comprising of members who are currently dispersed throughout the IT organisation. *An important part of the role will be to build a cohesive, effective team to deliver on the technical work needed to fulfil the data strategy. This is a really exciting opportunity to demonstrate your impact in making a positive difference with full support from the organisation to hone your senior leadership skills.*You will be responsible for ensuring that all delivery follows SDLC principles. *You will ensure that all data services are running to the required availability and latency metrics*You will be responsible for putting in-place the relevant IT Support models for all data-services *You will ultimately be involved in the key escalation route for major service-affecting incidents *Working with the programme leadership team you will be required to balance capacity between:Outcome, Results and Key Performance Indicators:*Successful movement of existing data professional teams into your team*Continued delivery and support of services by those teams during transition*Key milestones met for the data programme*Successful ongoing support and maintenance of the data systems and the eco-system*A happy community of data customers throughout the business and externally who trust you and the team to deliver fit-for-purpose productsDimensions of Job:*This role will work closely with AWS Gold Partner data consultants ensuring best practise is implemented, the role offers a great opportunity for the right candidate to develop their modern data management skills.*This role requires a hands on attitude to help guide and coach the team on new technologies and best practise*Knowledge of Apache Spark, SQL and/or Python is required*This role will manage teams that are based throughout the UK*This role can be home or office based, supports flexible working. Some UK travel will be required as team members are based in Leeds, Midlands and London.*Thought leadership to support the Data Driven Strategy*This role will have several direct reports*As part of the programme leadership team, the role will provide the technical skills, knowledge and expertise to deliver on time and to budget*A great opportunity for a talented senior data engineer/manager seeking career advancementKey Relationships:*Chief Data Officer*Data Governance Manager*IT Director/s*Product Owner/s*Strategic Architect*Agile IT teams consisting of Business Analyst, Engineers, Testers, Scrummasters, ArchitectsKnowledge and Skills:*Excellent leadership skills essential, able to effectively manage the newly formed team to ensure engagement and productivity *Experience in a similar industry facilities management services, construction or energy sector is preferred *Widespread knowledge of data technologies including AWS services, Redshift, Glue, Cloudformation, IAM, Sage Maker, Athena, SAP technologies include Data Services and Microsoft Power BI preferred *Data curation and modelling understood *Good working knowledge of Apache Spark, Python and/or SQL is essentialExperience: *Experience of working in a data team for a medium or large organisation *Experience of Agile delivery methodology and how to best make use of teams to successfully deliver key data services to stakeholders preferredQualifications: *Comfortable working within an Agile AWS environment utilising SAP data technology with any associated qualifications an advantage *Ideally educated to Degree level or equivalentCertes Computing (and all of its subsidiary companies) is committed to promoting equality and diversity in its business operations.