Head of Platform Data

JR United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth SaaS company is seeking a Head of Platform Data to lead the development of its real-time data architecture. This strategic role involves overseeing data processing, team leadership, and collaboration to enhance platform capabilities and drive business outcomes.

Benefits

Equity/share options

Hybrid working model

Private medical insurance

Enhanced parental leave

Gym discounts

Learning and development budget

Qualifications

• Expertise in real-time data processing and streaming technologies essential.
• Proven experience in data platforms and pipelines in cloud environments.
• Previous leadership in small, high-performing data teams.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the real-time data strategy across the platform.
• Build and manage an expert team to scale data frameworks.
• Collaborate with product and engineering teams for real-time analytics.

Skills

Real-time data processing

Streaming technologies

Data architecture

Stakeholder management

Tools

Kafka

Flink

Redis

Databricks on AWS

Azure Data Factory

Job description

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Location: London (Hybrid – 2 days/week in office, travel expenses covered)

You must be eligible to work in the UK.

A high-growth, VC-backed SaaS business is looking for a Head of Platform Data to lead the evolution of its real-time data architecture and embedded analytics capabilities. Operating at the intersection of fintech and enterprise SaaS, this role offers the opportunity to build from the ground up, enabling real-time, intelligent decision-making across a global platform used by tier-one clients.

This is a strategic leadership role focused on real-time data processing, platform observability, and embedded UX. You’ll work closely with VP-level engineering and product leadership to define and deliver a modern, scalable data platform that powers high-volume transactions across global markets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the real-time data strategy across the platform, enabling embedded insights that drive customer and product behaviour.
• Build and lead a small, expert team to deliver data frameworks and pipelines that scale with platform demand.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and BI teams to embed real-time analytics into the user experience.
• Deliver resilient, production-grade data infrastructure using modern streaming and cloud-native technologies.
• Define and monitor key metrics to ensure platform performance, user engagement, and operational efficiency.

What We're Looking For:

• Deep expertise in real-time data processing and streaming technologies (e.g. Kafka, Flink, Confluent, Redis).
• Experience with data platforms and pipelines in cloud environments (Databricks on AWS, Glue, Azure Data Factory).
• A track record of hands-on data architecture in fast-paced, product-led environments.
• Prior leadership of small, high-performing teams (1–10 people), ideally within a scale-up or fintech context.
• Experience within high-transaction verticals such as fintech, e-commerce, mobility, or SaaS.
• Strong commercial and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate data strategy into business outcomes.

What You’ll Get:

• Equity/share options in a fast-growing, investor-backed business
• Hybrid working model: two days per week in the London office (travel expenses covered)
• Private medical insurance, enhanced parental leave, volunteering days, gym discounts, and more
• Ongoing learning and development budget
• The chance to build a platform function from day one and make a significant impact

This is a unique opportunity to shape the real-time data strategy of a scaling B2B SaaS business, working on mission-critical infrastructure with a talented and ambitious team.

If you’re a hands-on leader with a passion for real-time systems and platform data, we’d love to hear from you.