Data Tech Lead

Data Tech Lead

Manchester | Hybrid (3 days in the office) | £80,000-£85,000 + up to 15% bonus

I'm working with an established, technology-led business in Manchester that is continuing to develop its data capability and is looking for a Data Tech Lead to lead the next stage of that journey. Reporting directly to the CDO, you'll lead a small team of Data Engineers while remaining technically hands-on yourself. They're looking for someone who has already managed and developed engineers, knows how to build a high-performing team and is still comfortable getting into the technical detail when needed.

You'll have genuine ownership and influence over the way the data engineering team operates.

Alongside leading and developing the Data Engineers, you'll help shape technical direction, improve engineering practices and work closely with senior stakeholders to deliver reliable, scalable data solutions.

The role would suit someone who enjoys the balance of people leadership, technical problem solving and strategic thinking - someone who can give their team the autonomy to do their best work while providing the technical direction and support they need.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead, coach and develop a small team of Data Engineers, supporting performance, wellbeing and career development.
• Build and maintain a high-performing engineering culture centred around ownership, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical direction across the data environment while remaining hands-on where required.
• Support architecture, solution design and technical decision-making.
• Work closely with the CDO and wider stakeholders to shape and deliver the data roadmap.
• Set and maintain high engineering standards across quality, reliability and maintainability.
• Encourage knowledge sharing, collaboration and continuous learning across the team.
• Identify opportunities to improve how the team designs, builds and delivers data solutions.
• Balance short-term delivery with longer-term engineering excellence and platform development.

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience managing or leading a Data Engineering team.
• A proven track record of coaching and developing engineers and creating a high-performing team environment.
• Strong SQL experience.
• Commercial experience working within AWS.
• Strong technical understanding of data engineering, architecture and modern data platforms.
• Comfortable operating as a player-coach rather than moving entirely away from the technology.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Someone who takes ownership, challenges existing ways of working and is passionate about continuous improvement.

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of a Data Engineering team within an established business where data plays an increasingly important role in how the organisation operates and grows.

If you're already leading Data Engineers and are looking for a role where people leadership and technical leadership carry equal weight, this could be a really interesting next step.

Package:

• £80,000-£85,000 basic salary
• Up to 15% annual bonus
• Hybrid working - 3 days per week in Manchester
• Excellent benefits package