Head of Data Engineering

Pharmacy2U Ltd.; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working schedule

Private healthcare insurance (Aviva)

Pension / provident schemes

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Pharmacy2U Ltd. is seeking a Head of Data Engineering to lead the data engineering function and oversee the migration to Microsoft Fabric. You will manage a team of data engineers and collaborate with technology, data, and business leaders to deliver scalable, secure data solutions.

In this hybrid role based in Leeds, you’ll drive data strategy, establish standards, and ensure delivery of measurable business value while participating in an on-call rota as required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading data engineering teams.
• Experience in data platform migration with lakehouse architectures.
• Strong SQL, Python/PySpark and data modelling skills.
• Experience with UK GDPR and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery and continuous improvement of Pharmacy2U’s Microsoft Fabric platform.
• Oversee data ingestion, transformation, pipelines, CI/CD, platform observability, and performance.
• Drive the successful migration to Microsoft Fabric and transition of legacy data platforms.
• Develop and maintain high-quality data products for analytics and operational use.
• Translate business priorities into a clear data engineering roadmap and manage risks.
• Establish best practices in data modelling, testing, DataOps, and monitoring.
• Build a sustainable operating model for long-term platform ownership.
• Provide leadership and development opportunities for the Data Engineering team.
• Collaborate with Data & Analytics, Architecture, Governance, and stakeholders to deliver aligned solutions.
• Manage third-party partners to ensure delivery and knowledge transfer.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and security requirements including UK GDPR.

Skills

SQL

Data modelling

Python/PySpark

Microsoft Fabric

Azure data

Synapse

Data Factory

Databricks

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Tools

CI/CD

Monitoring

Governance

Job description

Role:Head of Data Engineering

Location: We operate a hybrid schedule, meaning 2-3 days a week in the office based at Thorpe Park, Leeds.

Salary: DOE plus extensive benefits

Contract type: Permanent

Employment type: Full time

Working hours:We work on a core hours principle. Our core hours are 09:30 - 16:00; you can work around these to suit you!

Do you want to work for the nation’s largest online pharmacy ensuring excellence for all our patients? We’re a market leader in the pharmacy world, with 25 years’ experience, helping over 1.8 million patients in England manage their NHS prescriptions from request through to delivery. We are Great Place to Work certified as we consider colleague experience a top priority every day, and as a certified B Corp we also meet high standards of social and environmental responsibility. Our people are fundamental to our success and ensuring we achieve our vision to be a world leading, patient-centric digital healthcare provider. We are committed to continuing to develop a positive, open and honest working environment for all.

As Head of Data Engineering, you will lead and shape Pharmacy2U’s data engineering capability, ensuring data is seamlessly ingested, transformed, and managed within Microsoft Fabric to deliver trusted, business-ready insights. Working at the heart of a major transformation programme, you will provide strategic and technical leadership across data platforms, guiding engineering decisions, championing best practice, and ensuring the delivery of measurable commercial value.

Leading a team of Data Engineers and specialist delivery partners, you will collaborate closely with senior stakeholders across technology, data, marketing, and architecture to develop a scalable, future-focused data engineering function. Acting as the bridge between business priorities and technical delivery, you will drive the successful migration to Microsoft Fabric while establishing the vision, standards, and capabilities needed to support long-term growth and innovation.

Our tech teams keep us running 24/7 to make sure all our patients get world class service. To support that, this role may include participation in an out-of-hours rota as required by the business. We operate fair scheduling process as well as additional compensation for all on call periods.

Why you’ll love working with us

We believe great people deserve great support. That’s why we offer a benefits package designed to look after your health, finances, career and life outside work.

Financial security & rewards

• Competitive contributory pension
• Occupational sick pay
• Long-service awards and refer-a-friend bonuses
• Professional registration fees covered (GPhC, NMC, CIPD and more)
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (subject to eligibility)

Family-friendly

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Flexible hybrid working to help balance work and home life

Health & wellbeing

• Private healthcare insurance at discounted rates (Aviva)
• Employee Assistance Programme and in-house mental health support
• Access to discounted gym memberships via Blue Light Card and benefits schemes
• Regular health and wellbeing initiatives

Career growth

• Strong commitment to CPD, training and professional development

Time off & flexibility

• 25 days’ annual leave, increasing with service
• Buy and sell holiday scheme

Everyday perks & exclusive discounts

• Blue Light Card and employee discount platform
• Exclusive discounts at The Springs, Leeds
• 25% off health & beauty purchases
• 25% off Pharmacy2U Private Online Doctor services

Culture & community

• Regular social events throughout the year

What you’ll be doing?

• Lead the delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of Pharmacy2U’s Microsoft Fabric platform, ensuring it remains scalable, secure, cost-effective, and aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee data ingestion, transformation, lakehouse architecture, data pipelines, engineering standards, CI/CD processes, platform observability, and overall performance.
• Drive the successful completion of the Microsoft Fabric migration, including the transition of legacy data platforms, reporting solutions, and data pipelines.
• Develop and maintain high-quality data products that support analytics, operational systems, and external data consumers, with accountability for technical delivery, service levels, and production support.
• Translate business priorities into a clear and actionable data engineering roadmap, delivering value at pace while proactively managing risks, dependencies, and obstacles.
• Establish and promote best practices across data modelling, testing, automation, DataOps, platform monitoring, and service management.
• Build and evolve a sustainable operating model that supports long-term platform ownership, reliability, governance, and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development opportunities for the Data Engineering team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Collaborate closely with Data & Analytics, Architecture, Data Governance, and wider business stakeholders to deliver data solutions aligned with organisational goals and architectural standards.
• Manage and guide third-party delivery partners, ensuring the delivery of high-quality outcomes, adherence to agreed standards, and effective knowledge transfer to internal teams.
• Ensure data platform services operate in compliance with regulatory, governance, and security requirements, including UK GDPR, NHS DSPT, information security standards, and data governance policies.
• Support the implementation of Microsoft Purview and champion strong data management practices, including data cataloguing, lineage, classification, and quality management.

Who are we looking for?

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing Data Engineering teams.
• Experience delivering data platform migration or modernisation programmes, ideally using lakehouse or medallion architectures.
• Strong background operating data platforms in production environments, including CI/CD, monitoring, support, and engineering standards.
• Experience handling sensitive data in line with UK GDPR and governance requirements.
• Strong SQL, data modelling, and Python/PySpark skills.
• Expertise in Microsoft Fabric or a strong Azure data background, including Synapse, Data Factory, and Databricks.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to translate data engineering initiatives into measurable business value.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to influence, challenge constructively, and drive decisions.
• Experience managing third-party suppliers and delivery partners alongside internal teams.
• Strategic and forward-thinking, with a focus on delivering practical business outcomes.
• Collaborative and relationship-focused, with the ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
• Passionate about developing people and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Quality-driven, with a commitment to excellence, innovation, and operational effectiveness.

Applicants must prove they have the right to live in the UK.

All successful applicants will be required to undergo a DBS check.