Data Platform and Engineering Lead

Kirklees Council; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive local council in Huddersfield is seeking a Data Platform and Engineering Lead to head a team focused on delivering robust data services. You will design and implement a new data platform while setting best practices for data engineering across the council. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in data engineering, team leadership, and cloud technologies, and is committed to driving innovative solutions to enhance data services for the community.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Remote working options

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in data engineering and management roles.
• Proven track record of leading data engineering teams and projects.
• Experience with both on-premises and cloud data solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the data engineering team to deliver robust data services.
• Design and implement data architectures for a new platform.
• Manage the integration of data from multiple sources.

Skills

Data engineering

Cloud technologies

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Data quality improvement

Job description

As our new Data Platform and Engineering Lead, you’ll head a multi‑functional team delivering robust data services and products to support Kirklees Council’s data, business intelligence, analytics, and insight needs. You’ll lead the creation of a new council‑wide data platform, using modern architecture and engineering practices, and set the standards for data engineering across the council. This is a unique opportunity to shape how Kirklees manages and uses data to deliver better services for our communities.

Main duties of the job

• Build and develop the council’s data engineering capability and practice, providing technical and people leadership.
• Design and implement target data architectures for the new data platform.
• Lead the design, development, and implementation of complex data flows, integrating data from multiple sources.
• Set and implement best‑practice standards for data engineering, tools, and methods.
• Drive data quality improvements and innovative data solutions across the council.
• Manage and mentor a team of data engineers, developers, and analysts.

About us

Kirklees Council is a modern, progressive employer at the heart of West Yorkshire, serving a diverse population of 440,000. We’re committed to innovation, inclusion, and flexible working. Join us and help deliver services that make a real difference to our communities.

Person Specification – Experience

• Highlight any career achievements, qualifications, and training relevant to the role. These will be used for shortlisting alongside your responses to the shortlisting questions.
• Experience with on‑premises and cloud data engineering tools and technologies, and the main considerations when migrating data engineering environments from on‑premises to cloud.
• Experience with implementing data engineering quality standards and controls.
• Experience with deciding how data should be modelled and developing data models.
• Experience with using artificial intelligence (AI) to support data engineering practices.
• Experience supporting, motivating, and developing data professionals to build strong teams and enhance capability.
• Experience working with stakeholders to understand and capture their data needs and translating those needs to inform the design, development, and delivery of data engineering solutions, services, and products.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly the CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Full‑time, Flexible working, Home or remote working