Data & Development Lead

Business Area: Data & Innovation
Reporting To: Director of Data & Innovation
Reporting Line: 3
Job Level: 5
Location: Bicester
Working Pattern: Full-time, 3 days per week in the office

A highly capable and inspirational Data & Systems Lead is sought to provide critical technical leadership that blends hands-on delivery with strategic oversight. This role guides a small team of technical specialists in delivering high-quality data engineering, automation, and systems development solutions.

The position is responsible for shaping and executing the internal data and systems landscape, offering technical direction, and ensuring alignment with broader data and innovation strategies. This is a hands-on management role that involves mentoring, leadership, and a passion for building scalable, modern data and technology solutions within a professional services environment.

• Provide technical leadership to a team of three specialists across data engineering, automation, and systems development.
• Define and maintain a scalable and fit-for-purpose internal data and systems architecture aligned with business needs.
• Lead the design and delivery of complex engineering solutions, setting technical direction and promoting best practices.
• Execute complex data engineering, development, and technical change initiatives.
• Collaborate with the team to ensure cohesive and maintainable system design and integration.
• Guide team members in aligning their work with approved and prioritised initiatives, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.
• Act as a motivational and developmental force, fostering growth in skills, confidence, and performance.
• Work closely with IT operations, business stakeholders, and the wider data and innovation function to deliver impactful solutions.

• Extensive experience in data engineering and system development, particularly with Databricks, Microsoft technologies (Azure, Power Platform, M365), and integrations.
• Familiarity with a range of SaaS applications such as Workday and (url removed) is desirable.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor technical teams, ideally within a small, agile environment.
• Comfortable with both hands-on technical execution and strategic planning.
• Strong understanding of data integration, automation, and system design.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

This role requires a strong alignment with the following values and behaviours:

Trust

• Translates overall strategy into meaningful direction for the team.
• Adapts style and tactics to suit different audiences and situations.

Excellence

• Considers the business implications of problems and decisions.
• Actively removes barriers to performance excellence.

Pride

• Encourages and supports individuals to reach their full potential through mentoring and coaching.
• Uses performance measures to identify and address shortfalls in quality and service.

Team Spirit

• Promotes open resolution of conflicts within the team.
• Ensures disagreements are surfaced and constructively addressed.

Progressive

• Builds a rich understanding of the external business environment using diverse sources.
• Demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness in identifying and leveraging trends.