Role: Lead Data Engineer
Location: Milton Keynes (Hybrid – 2 Days On-site Weekly)
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000
Benefits: Bonus, Company Cars, Flexible Benefit Package
Network IT is recruiting for a
Lead Data Engineer
to join a leading automotive brand's UK IT function. In this senior role, you'll
lead a high-performing data management team
, consisting of Business Analysts, a Data Engineer and Systems Manager. You will also
drive technical delivery
across enterprise data platforms, and ensure compliance, scalability, and performance within a global standards-based ecosystem.
Reporting to the Head of IT, you'll
take ownership of operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and vendor performance
across a broad data estate including Azure Data Factory and Data Lake technologies. The role will combine hands-on technical understanding with strategic planning, people leadership, and commercial management.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and manage a data-focused IT team, driving delivery excellence across operational support, change and innovation.
* Act as the key liaison between IT and business stakeholders, aligning data solutions with strategic business goals.
* Own delivery and integration of enterprise data pipelines and platforms, ensuring stability and scalability.
* Maintain rock-solid operational standards, aligned with ITIL, ISO27001, and internal security policies.
* Shape and influence data architecture, process standards, and reusable frameworks including AI and RPA capabilities.
* Oversee vendor management and service contracts, ensuring SLA performance and ongoing value delivery.
* Drive adoption of planning culture, managing delivery timelines, resource utilisation, and budgets (circa £2m+).
* Promote compliance, data governance, and continuous improvement across all data management activities.
* Provide leadership and coaching to direct reports and indirect teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
Required Experience:
* 7+ years in IT consulting or technical leadership roles, ideally within complex enterprise environments.
* Strong experience in IT service management, strategy planning, and business process alignment.
* Hands-on knowledge of
Azure Data Factory, Data Lake
, and data pipeline architecture.
* Proven experience managing data security, access, and regulatory compliance.
* Familiarity with automation tools (AI, RPA) and Agile project delivery (e.g. Scrum, Kanban).
* Demonstrated ability to lead teams and third-party vendors, with accountability for SLA and budget management.
* Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and negotiation skills.
* First degree in an IT-related discipline.