Lead Data Engineer

Lead Data Engineer

Reporting to: Head of Data/AI

Location: London, Manchester, hybrid

DEPT/DATA

DEPT/AI has a single mission: to make the best work in the industry using Data & AI to enhance everything we do. This role sits within our Data & AI practice, which has deep expertise in leveraging AI. The team includes data strategists, consultants, data scientists and analysts that work alongside DEPT teams around the world across different services – from commerce, to full-funnel media, content engineering to internal operations.

You will be solving some of the hardest and most challenging problems facing some of the best loved brands in the world – and doing this alongside an experienced team.

This role is part of our EMEA Data craft team, an integrated craft across Europe driving data engineering, data science, and AI initiatives. We combine our expertise in data architecture, analytics, and AI to deliver exceptional data-driven solutions that build lasting relationships with our clients like Footlocker, Nikon, Rituals, and Philips

The Lead Data Engineer is responsible for building and leading our data engineering capabilities across EMEA and setting technical standards. This senior technical leadership role will drive the strategic vision for our data engineering practice, deliver complex client solutions, and grow the data engineering team to support our expanding client base. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable, efficient data architectures that power our AI and data analytics solutions.

This role requires a technically excellent, strategic thinker with proven experience in leading data engineering teams and implementing enterprise-scale data solutions.

As part of the EMEA Data craft team, you will be responsible for shaping and executing our data engineering strategy, delivering technical excellence on complex client projects, and building a high-performing team of data engineers.

To be successful in this role, you must combine deep technical expertise with strong business acumen and leadership skills. You'll work closely with clients to understand their business challenges and translate these into robust data engineering solutions. You'll guide technical decision-making, establish best practices, and ensure our data engineering capabilities remain at the cutting edge of industry standards.

An entrepreneurial spirit with a bias for action, excellent communication skills, and the ability to bridge the gap between technical solutions and business stakeholders is essential to succeed in this role.

• Lead the strategic development of our data engineering proposition and capabilities
• Set technical standards and best practices for data engineering across EMEA
• Guide and mentor data engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation
• Design and implement scalable, reliable data architectures and pipelines for enterprise clients
• Serve as the technical authority on client engagements, providing expert guidance
• Build and grow a high-performing data engineering team
• Work closely with the broader Data & AI practice to deliver integrated solutions
• Support business development efforts through technical expertise in client pitches
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies and methodologies in the data engineering space

• Extensive experience in data engineering with a proven track record of leading complex data initiatives
• Strong technical leadership experience, with the ability to guide and develop engineering teams
• Deep expertise in designing and implementing data architectures, data pipelines, and ETL processes
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, Azure) and their data-specific services
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, and data orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow, DBT)
• Experience with modern data warehouse technologies (Big Query, Snowflake, Redshift, etc.)
• Strong understanding of data modeling, data governance, and data quality principles
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for business stakeholders
• Strategic thinking with the ability to develop and execute…