Head of Data Engineering

Barclays UK; London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services company in London is looking for a Director, Head of Data Engineering to lead data architecture and governance strategies. The role involves managing a high-performing team, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and driving digital transformation projects. Strong leadership and strategic decision-making skills are essential for success in this key position.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in data engineering and management.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance (GDPR, PSD2).
• Ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute data architecture strategy.
• Lead the design and operation of the central lakehouse.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and financial regulations.

Skills

Data architecture strategy

Data governance

Digital transformation

Machine Learning/AI capabilities

Leadership

Collaboration

Job description

Barclays Payments is hiring a new Director, Head of Data Engineering.

The role holder will:

• Define and execute data architecture strategy aligned with business and regulatory needs.
• Lead the design and operation of the central lakehouse with real-time and batch capabilities.
• Establish and maintain enterprise-wide data governance, including lineage, quality, and controls.
• Provide scalable tooling for BI, reporting, and self-service analytics across the organization.
• Enable ML/AI capabilities through robust pipelines, MLOps practices, and model monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and financial regulations (e.g., GDPR, PSD2).
• Foster a high-performing data engineering team with strong culture, mentoring, and career paths.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration with risk, compliance, product, and analytics teams.

Purpose of the role

To manage people, processes, and technologies in the IT function to support the business goals.

Accountabilities

• Develop and implement technology strategies that enable business success, support growth, innovation, and risk management.
• Provide strategic leadership on technology matters, collaborating with infrastructure, service management, and architecture teams.
• Align with global data governance frameworks to ensure data quality, security, and privacy, leveraging data analytics and AI for insights.
• Implement technology practices compliant with security, regulatory, and policy requirements, actively managing risks.
• Lead digital transformation projects, modernizing legacy systems and developing digital solutions.
• Manage the technology team, including hiring, training, mentoring, and resource allocation.
• Oversee technology budgets, prioritize resources, optimize costs, and mitigate financial risks.

Director Expectations

• Provide expert advice to senior management, influencing strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate resourcing, budgeting, and policy creation for the sub-function.
• Ensure compliance with policies and regulations, monitoring external environment and regulators.
• Maintain industry knowledge and external market insights.
• Use analytical skills to solve complex problems and design solutions.
• Make strategic decisions within own area, influencing stakeholders externally and internally.
• Act as a principal contact for key clients and partners.
• Represent the function and business division as a spokesperson.

All senior leaders are expected to embody the LEAD behaviours: Listen, Energise, Align, Develop. All colleagues should demonstrate Barclays' values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship, along with the Barclays Mindset of Empower, Challenge, and Drive.