> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2245711-head-of-data-engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2245711-head-of-data-engineering). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Head of Data Engineering - **Company:** Glocomms - **Location:** London, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Airflow, Amazon Web Services, Apache HTTP Server, Big Data, Software Quality, Information Engineering, Data Infrastructure, Decision Support Systems, Monitoring of Systems, Python (Programming Language), PostgreSQL, Reference Data, Software Engineering, Workflow Management Systems, Apache Spark, Data Strategy, Data Management, Data Pipelines, Service Stack - **Published:** August 26, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.collegerecruiter.com/job/2815062713-head-of-data-engineering ## About the Role * 5-10+ years of Data Engineering experience * Minimum 2 years of team leadership or management experience * Proven track record of building, mentoring, and developing engineering teams * Experience creating and executing technical roadmaps aligned to business goals Technical Expertise * Strong background designing, building, and operating production-grade data platforms * Expertise in data pipeline development, orchestration, monitoring, and operational support * Experience with orchestration tools such as Apache Airflow or equivalent technologies * Strong software engineering foundations with a focus on maintainability, scalability, and reliability, * Experience working with complex, large-scale datasets * Exposure to financial services, capital markets, investment management, or similarly data-intensive environments is highly desirable * Understanding of market data, reference data, time-series datasets, or comparable analytical domains, * Python * Apache Spark * Apache Iceberg * PostgreSQL * AWS or equivalent cloud platforms * Data orchestration and workflow automation technologies * Monitoring and observability platforms * Modern data platform architectures, * Strong communication and stakeholder management capabilities * Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills * Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery * Pragmatic approach to engineering trade-off decisions * Passion for driving continuous improvement and innovation * Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and teamwork ## Description An innovative financial services organisation is seeking a Head of Data Engineering to lead and scale its data function. This is a hybrid leadership and hands-on technical role, offering the opportunity to shape data strategy, drive engineering excellence, and support business-critical data initiatives. The position combines approximately 50% people leadership and 50% hands-on engineering, requiring a leader who can define and execute a strategic roadmap while remaining technically involved in architecture, solution design, and key engineering initiatives. Reporting Structure * Reports directly to a senior executive leadership team member * High-profile position with significant influence across the organisation * Responsible for hiring, performance management, coaching, and team development Team Structure * Lead a team of 3 Data Engineering professionals * Planned team growth during the next 12 months * Responsible for fostering a high-performance, collaborative engineering culture Key Responsibilities Data Strategy & Leadership * Define and evolve the organisation's data strategy and roadmap in alignment with business objectives * Balance short-term business priorities with long-term scalable architecture decisions * Drive adoption of data best practices, governance standards, and engineering principles * Act as the key stakeholder for data-related decision making across the organisation Team Management * Lead, mentor, and develop a growing Data Engineering team * Manage hiring processes, onboarding, coaching, and career development * Conduct performance reviews and establish effective team operating rhythms * Create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement Hands-On Data Engineering * Design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines and data platforms * Develop datasets, infrastructure, and internal tooling supporting analytics, research, and product initiatives * Contribute directly to engineering projects where required * Make architectural decisions and provide technical leadership across the data estate Data Quality & Reliability * Define and own data quality, availability, coverage, and reliability KPIs * Implement monitoring, alerting, and observability frameworksImprove resilience, validation processes, and incident management procedures * Ensure data platforms are scalable, secure, and operationally robust Cross-Functional Collaboration * Partner closely with engineering, product, analytics, and business stakeholders * Translate business requirements into scalable data solutions * Enable data-driven decision making through robust and accessible datasets * Align technical priorities with organisational goals Engineering Excellence * Establish standards for testing, code quality, documentation, and deployment practices * Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives * Promote modern software engineering principles across the data team * Ensure sustainable scaling of both technology and team capabilities Desired Skills and Experience Leadership Experience * 5-10+ years of Data Engineering experience * Minimum 2 years of team leadership or management experience * Proven track record of building, mentoring, and developing engineering teams * Experience creating and executing technical roadmaps aligned to business goals Technical Expertise * Strong background designing, building, and operating production-grade data platforms * Expertise in data pipeline development, orchestration, monitoring, and operational support * Experience with orchestration tools such as Apache Airflow or equivalent technologies * Strong software engineering foundations with a focus on maintainability, scalability, and reliability Data & Domain Knowledge * Experience working with complex, large-scale datasets * Exposure to financial services, capital markets, investment management, or similarly data-intensive environments is highly desirable * Understanding of market data, reference data, time-series datasets, or comparable analytical domains Technology Stack Experience with several of the following: * Python * Apache Spark * Apache Iceberg * PostgreSQL * AWS or equivalent cloud platforms * Data orchestration and workflow automation technologies * Monitoring and observability platforms * Modern data platform architectures Professional Skills * Strong communication and stakeholder management capabilities * Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills * Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery * Pragmatic approach to engineering trade-off decisions * Passion for driving continuous improvement and innovation * Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and teamwork ## Related Videos - [From Messy Queries to Scalable Systems - How Data Engineering actually works](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100203-from-messy-queries-to-scalable-systems-how-data-engineering-actually-works) - [Alibaba Big Data and Machine Learning Technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/37-alibaba-big-data-and-machine-learning-technology) - [Optimizing Discovery: PostgreSQL's Role in Transforming GetYourGuide's Search](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1647-optimizing-discovery-postgresql-s-role-in-transforming-getyourguide-s-search) - [Enjoying SQL data pipelines with dbt](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/823-enjoying-sql-data-pipelines-with-dbt) - [PySpark - Combining Machine Learning & Big Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/44-pyspark-combining-machine-learning-big-data) - [AI Model Management Life Circles: ML Ops For Generative AI Models From Research to Deployment](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1152-ai-model-management-life-circles-ml-ops-for-generative-ai-models-from-research-to-deployment) ## Related Articles - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [Best Companies to work for in London: Top 25 Companies in 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/187-best-companies-to-work-for-in-london-top-25-companies-in-2023) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production)