Lead Data Engineer

Dept; London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital agency in London is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to drive the development of their data engineering capabilities. The role involves leading a team, designing data architectures, and collaborating with clients to deliver innovative data solutions. Strong leadership, technical expertise, and a master's degree in a related field are essential. This position offers a flexible hybrid work model and excellent benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working policy

Pension

Private healthcare

Mental health support

Learning and development opportunities

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of data engineering strategies.
• Set technical standards for data engineering practices.
• Mentor data engineering team members.
• Design and implement data architectures for clients.
• Provide expert guidance to clients.

Skills

Data engineering leadership

Technical standards setting

Data architecture design

Python proficiency

SQL expertise

Cloud platform experience

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Airflow

DBT

BigQuery

Snowflake

Redshift

Job description

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Lead Data Engineer is responsible for building and leading our data engineering capabilities across EMEA and setting technical standards. This senior technical leadership role will drive the strategic vision for our data engineering practice, deliver complex client solutions, and grow the data engineering team to support our expanding client base. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable, efficient data architectures that power our AI and data analytics solutions.

This role requires a technically excellent, strategic thinker with proven experience in leading data engineering teams and implementing enterprise-scale data solutions.

JOB PURPOSE

As part of the EMEA Data craft team, you will be responsible for shaping and executing our data engineering strategy, delivering technical excellence on complex client projects, and building a high-performing team of data engineers.

To be successful in this role, you must combine deep technical expertise with strong business acumen and leadership skills. You\'ll work closely with clients to understand their business challenges and translate these into robust data engineering solutions. You\'ll guide technical decision-making, establish best practices, and ensure our data engineering capabilities remain at the cutting edge of industry standards.

An entrepreneurial spirit with a bias for action, excellent communication skills, and the ability to bridge the gap between technical solutions and business stakeholders is essential to succeed in this role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the strategic development of our data engineering proposition and capabilities
• Set technical standards and best practices for data engineering across EMEA
• Guide and mentor data engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation
• Design and implement scalable, reliable data architectures and pipelines for enterprise clients
• Serve as the technical authority on client engagements, providing expert guidance
• Build and grow a high-performing data engineering team
• Work closely with the broader Data & AI practice to deliver integrated solutions
• Support business development efforts through technical expertise in client pitches
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies and methodologies in the data engineering space

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Extensive experience in data engineering with a proven track record of leading complex data initiatives
• Strong technical leadership experience, with the ability to guide and develop engineering teams
• Deep expertise in designing and implementing data architectures, data pipelines, and ETL processes
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, Azure) and their data-specific services
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, and data orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow, DBT)
• Experience with modern data warehouse technologies (BigQuery, Snowflake, Redshift, etc.)
• Strong understanding of data modeling, data governance, and data quality principles
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for business stakeholders
• Strategic thinking with the ability to develop and execute technical roadmaps
• Experience working in an agency or consulting environment is highly advantageous
• Proven ability to mentor and develop technical talent
• Master\'s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

WE OFFER:

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location).
• An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies
• Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme.
• Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.
• Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents.
• Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations.
• Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events.
• Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance.
• Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks at DEPT.
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT has been a Certified B Corp since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT you’ll get the opportunity to work with clients of all sizes and across all industries. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
• The opportunity for possibility. We want to enable you to do what you do best and help you develop your skills further with training, development and certifications.
• Global annual DEPT Cares Month in which employees come together and donate their skills to support local charities.

WHO ARE WE?

We are pioneers at heart. What does that mean? We are always looking forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 30+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, and your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our client\'s problems, no matter where you are in the world.

DEPT is committed to making a positive impact on the planet and since 2021 has been Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here .