Director of Data Engineering

Director of Data Engineering

Department: Technology

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Belfast

Description

The Director of Data Engineering is responsible for the development and execution of a group-wide Data Engineering strategy in collaboration with key stakeholders across our banking, retail, and data insights business units.  This Director-level position will play a critical role in shaping the company's strategic vision, leveraging people and technology to build and maintain the Reward Product portfolio. 

Key Responsibilities

Strategy Development and Execution 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Data Engineering strategy that aligns with the company's overall business objectives.  
• Optimise the operating model to drive greater productivity across the company’s delivery and engineering capabilities.  
• Drive a continuous improvement and innovation agenda, minimising tech debt and ensuring Reward is keeping up with latest SDLC industry advancements.
• Work hand in hand with the Technical Director and Architecture team to establish and deliver Rewards’ Tech strategy and Tech Roadmap.

Delivery and Operational Management 

• Responsible for the e2e Data Engineering Function.  This includes product and project delivery, tech roadmap, maintenance, business as usual and all aspects of engineering capability.
• Oversee Rewards Data Delivery Lifecycle, implementing a ‘best in class’ delivery life cycle.   
• Establish and enforce engineering policies, procedures, and standards embedding Rewards Engineering ‘golden rules’, ensuring we are:
   
  • Balancing high quality with velocity in delivery 
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  • Meeting Client SLAs and commitments
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  • Managing and optimising engineering infrastructure costs e.g. Prod and Non-Prod Env costs and tools.
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• Manage capacity across the Data Engineering Department, ensuring the teams are set up for success with the right balance between quality and speed.
• Oversee the successful onboarding of new UK and International products and features.
• Maintain auditable process & access documentation for internal and external stakeholders. 
• Conduct on-going compliance and risk management for Data Engineering Function.  Ensure risk & compliance programs relating to engineering are in place, dealing with industry, regulatory, business recovery and cyber risks.

Team Leadership and Talent Development 

• Lead the Data Engineering teams working across multiple locations globally. 
• Attract, retain, and develop top talent in the field of Engineering. Build a strong team of technical engineering leaders, with a data mindset.
• Foster a culture of knowledge sharing, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication 

• Engage with key stakeholders across the business to understand their product and business needs and priorities.  
• Help educate the business on engineering processes and practices, translate technical tasks and discussions for business stakeholders.
• Act as the company's Data Engineering ambassador, promoting the value of Data throughout the business.  

Belfast Technology and Operations Hub

• Act as a company ambassador for the Belfast site, promoting the value of the Reward Delivery, Tech & Ops Hub to the local tech talent market. 

Technology Innovation:

• Evaluate, implement, and optimize technology solutions that enhance the delivery of reward programs, ensuring efficiency, scalability, and a positive user experience.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to drive continuous improvement and innovation in reward program delivery.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

The successful candidate will have the following key skills and experiences: 

• Proven track record of developing and implementing Tech and Engineering strategies.   
• At least 10 years of experience in a leadership role, managing Data Engineering teams. 
• Broad knowledge of Agile methodologies and modern SDLC practices 
• Broad knowledge of running Engineering teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills  
• Experience with managing budgets and resources  

Attributes 

• Delivery mind-set able to provide methodologies and solutions to partner business stakeholders 
• Results-oriented with a track record of delivering on goals and objectives  
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and manage a high-performing team  
• Capable of working independently with full ownership and the confidence to develop and manage processes end to end  
• An effective and articulate communicator, able to persuasively present concepts clearly and concisely to key stakeholders, adjusting style to audience 
• Demonstrate ability and temperament to work with sensitive information

Benefits

• Annual Leave: 25 days + bank holidays
• Ability to buy and sell holiday days as well as the ability to bank days (tenure dependent) 
• Flexible working options: we are operating a hybrid working model with 3 days a week from the office
• Pension: Hargreaves Lansdown – 6% matched contribution 
• Employee share scheme
• Generous family friendly cover
• Private healthcare - Bupa 
• Income protection
• Critical illness cover
• Life insurance cover
• Dental cover
• Optical cover
• Yulife app for access to employee wellbeing and discounts 
• Perks at Work, cashback/discount shopping site
• Employee referral scheme 
• Salary sacrifice program which includes cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme and season ticket loans
• Volunteering program
• Company events i.e. Christmas party, all-company event and other social/hosted events during the year (we have an active social committee!)
• Team socials