Senior Data Engineer

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse. 

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.  Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work. 

Position Name: Senior Data Engineer
Position Location: Dubai & Abu Dhabi, UAE

THE ROLE
We are seeking an experienced Senior Data Engineer (ideally with experience in consumer retail banking and marketing) to lead the development of a new data integration for a key agency client. In this role, you will work closely with the Data Architect and lead the implementation/development phase and working with the data scientist/analyst to incorporate analytics and modelling. You will handle data from various sources including operational systems, marketing platforms, website data layers (Sitecore and GA4), mobile applications, and potentially third parties. The data will be aggregated into Google BigQuery as an interim step with the final data warehouse hosted in Microsoft Azure.

You will work closely with both agency and client stakeholders (we are an extension squad for the client), including business analysts, data scientists, and engineers, to ensure that the data infrastructure supports the client’s business objectives and enables the delivery of exceptional customer experiences that drive business value.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• With the Data Architect, design the the data models, pipelines, and integrations to support various business functions, including customer relationship management (CRM), marketing automation, reporting and customer insight.
• Design, construct, install, test and maintain highly scalable data management systems.
• Develop and manage robust ETL pipelines to extract, transform, and load data from diverse sources into Google BigQuery and Microsoft Azure.
• Ensure systems meet business requirements and industry practices for data quality, data governance, and data security.
• Collaborate with data architects, modelers and IT team members on project goals and objectives.
• With Data Strategy and Analytics, identify opportunities for data acquisition and new uses for existing data.
• Develop data set processes for data modeling, mining and production.
• Integrate new data management technologies and software engineering tools into existing structures.
• Create custom software components and analytics applications as required.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging technologies in data architecture, particularly in the areas of cloud computing, big data, and data warehousing.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging technologies in data architecture, particularly in the areas of cloud computing, big data, and data warehousing.
• Build and maintain integrations with AdTech and MarTech platforms to enable targeted marketing campaigns and personalized customer experiences.
• Contribute to the development of a data-driven culture within the organization by promoting data literacy and advocating for data-informed decision-making.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCES
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Proven work experience as a Data Engineer, Software Developer, or similar role in data management.
• Ideally, experience in the financial services industry, particularly consumer retail banking.
• Extensive knowledge in different programming or scripting languages like Java, Linux, PHP, Ruby, Python and/or R.
• Strong experience with SQL database design and data architecture.
• Experience with cloud services (Google BigQuery, Microsoft Azure) and understanding of their data capabilities and structures.
• Knowledge of ETL techniques and frameworks.
• Experience with Sitecore, GA4, and other marketing platforms is a plus.
• Excellent organizational and analytical abilities.
• Outstanding problem solver.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction. 

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. 

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