Database and Systems Lead

Sadler Recruitment; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Autonomy over tooling and delivery

Senior role with lasting impact

Job summary

Sadler Recruitment seeks a hands-on Database Systems Lead to own the modernisation of the core data infrastructure in a hybrid Cardiff setting. You will design a cloud migration, build data pipelines, and shape the front-end reporting experience while guiding staff through the transition.

This role combines technical delivery with organisational change, requiring leadership, engagement with stakeholders, and a focus on data governance and security across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Significant contribution to data, database, or systems transformation programmes.
• Strong SQL experience and data governance knowledge.
• Experience with data integrity, integration, and legacy code.
• Translating business requirements into practical technical solutions.
• Project management across a multi-phase programme.
• Experience designing and delivering reporting dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Lead workshops and stakeholder engagement to define requirements and priorities.
• Build the migration from on-premise data to a modern data cloud platform, including ETL pipelines and performance tuning.
• Design and deliver self-service reporting dashboards replacing legacy tools.
• Establish data governance, access control, and compliance standards across the organisation.
• Manage third-party vendors and infrastructure procurement.
• Lead and develop existing staff through the programme, embedding new ways of working.

Skills

SQL

Data warehousing

ETL pipelines

Data governance

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Team leadership

Reporting design

Tools

Cloud platforms

Job description

Location: Central Cardiff - Hybrid (2 days onsite)

Working Hours & Flexibility: 35 hour working week with flexible working option

Holiday Allowance: 25 days rising to 30 days

About the Role

We're looking for a hands-on technical leader to own the modernisation of our clients core data infrastructure. Designing and delivering a cloud migration that will become the foundation for how the organisation makes decisions for years to come.

This is an opportunity to build and design a data warehouse and reporting environment that solves real problems for real users.

You'll start by getting close to the people who feel the pain of the current systems every day, running workshops across the organisation to understand what's expected by the users.

The Database Systems Lead will lead the technical delivery, building the platform and pipelines, and shaping the front-end reporting experience while also managing existing staff through the transition. It's equal parts technical delivery and organisational change, and it rewards someone who wants to be accountable for both.

Responsibilities

• Lead workshops and stakeholder engagement to define requirements and priorities.
• Build the migration from on-premise data to a modern data cloud platform, including ETL pipelines and performance tuning.
• Design and deliver self-service reporting dashboards that replace legacy front-end tools.
• Establish data governance, access control, and compliance standards across the organisation
• Manage third-party vendors and infrastructure procurement.
• Lead and develop existing staff through the programme, embedding new ways of working.

Experience Required

• Significant contribution to a data, database, or systems transformation programme
• Strong SQL experience
• Experience with data integrity, integration, and legacy code
• Translating business requirements into practical technical solutions
• Project management across a multi-phase programme
• Reporting design and delivery
• Data protection and security, including regulatory compliance
• Supplier and vendor management
• Team leadership and collaboration with existing staff
• Communicating clearly with non-technical stakeholders

Nice to Have's

• Experience with self-service BI and reporting platforms
• Background in data governance and regulatory compliance (GDPR)
• Experience managing vendor relationships and procurement

What We Offer

• The chance to shape the data strategy for a well-established organisation
• Genuine autonomy over tooling and delivery approach
• A senior role with lasting, visible impact