Head of Data Engineering - £130k + 40% Bonus / LTIP + £7.5k Car Allowance

Location: Wolverhampton, Kent (Hybrid)

Our longstanding financial services client is embarking on their first‑ever digital transformation journey and is seeking a Head of Data Engineering to build and lead a best‑in‑class function. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of data for a highly regulated organisation, driving the migration from legacy systems to Azure Data Services.

Package

• Basic salary: £120,000 - £130,000 (circa)
• 40% bonus / LTIP
• £7.5k car allowance

Additional benefits

The Role: You will lead a multi‑national team of around 40, SQL and Azure data professionals, setting the vision, strategy, and standards for data engineering. You'll oversee the design and delivery of robust, high‑quality data solutions, ensure governance and compliance in a regulated environment, and drive innovation across the function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high‑performing Data Engineering team.
• Design, build, and optimise secure, scalable data pipelines and storage solutions.
• Oversee the migration from on‑premise SQL Server estates to Azure Data Services, including the decommissioning of data centres and warehouses.
• Embed governance, documentation, and lifecycle best practices.
• Collaborate with technology, architecture, and business teams to align data strategy with business goals.
• Foster innovation by exploring new tools, technologies, and approaches.

Core Requirements

• Proven leadership of a Data Engineering function (circa 40 staff) across SQL and Azure environments - must have.
• Extensive experience delivering complex data engineering projects, including ETL pipeline design and development - must have.
• Track record of data migrations from SQL Server estates into Azure cloud - must have.
• Experience working within regulated environments (finance or banking preferred) - must have.
• Knowledge of data‑related regulations (BCBS239 / IRB) - preferred.

Three stage interview process