Head of Data Engineering
QS Quacquarelli Symonds
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: London • United Kingdom
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Job Level
About the role
- Architect and evolve QS’s enterprise data platform (AWS + Snowflake).
- Drive the transition toward modern data architectures (data platform, streaming pipelines, real-time scoring where relevant).
- Own standards for ingestion, transformation, orchestration, metadata, observability, and lineage.
- Build robust ETL/ELT pipelines for QS datasets across performance, recruitment, skills and innovation, including real-time student demand data, global workforce data and higher education rankings data.
- Implement scalable frameworks for data acquisition from surveys, universities, partners, and public sources.
- Ensure pipelines are cost-efficient, monitored, recoverable, and version-controlled.
- Establish enterprise-wide data quality metrics, monitoring systems, and remediation workflows.
- Implement governance frameworks aligned with QS’s methodologies and product/service requirements.
- Partner with Data Science, Technology and Product to standardize definitions, master data, and reference data models.
- Lead, grow, and mentor a global team of data engineers.
- Set clear engineering standards, code practices, review processes, and architectural guidelines.
- Build a culture of technical excellence, reliability, and delivery accountability.
- Partner with the Director of Data Science, Technology and Product Leads to align on priorities, platform capabilities, and data readiness.
- Translate business and methodological requirements into scalable data engineering solutions.
- Work with compliance and security teams on data privacy, PII handling, and regulatory alignment (GDPR, global privacy standards).
- Own and drive the multi-year data engineering roadmap.
- Introduce automation, ML-assisted data validation, and higher-frequency data refresh cycles to improve QS’s data competitiveness.
- Future-proof QS’s data stack to support new growth models
Requirements
- Proven ability to lead teams and deliver results in complex data or information services businesses
- Wicked problem-solver who thrives in dynamic, evolving environments
- Strategic communicator with strong interpersonal and leadership skills, fostering collaboration and inclusivity
- Demonstrable business impact, balancing technical solutions with practical business needs
- Strong Proficiency in SQL and Python, with hands-on experience in cloud data platforms (such as Snowflake or equivalent)
- Strong experience with orchestration tools (e.g., Glue, Airflow, dbt) supporting reliable data workflows, streaming frameworks (such as Kafka, Snowpipe) for real-time data delivery and machine learning and artificial intelligence workflows, including feature stores and platforms like Sagemaker
- Excellent understanding of data modeling concepts, including graph-based design
- Familiarity with REST/GraphQL APIs and approaches to optimize data delivery and performance
- Master’s degree of higher in a relevant field
Benefits
- Competitive base salary
- Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays – increasing to 27 days after 5 years’
- Access to a Buy Holiday scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Generous pension through Royal London
- Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality
- Cycle to work scheme
- A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture
- Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
- A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
- Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
- Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event
- Support for volunteering and study leave
- Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
- Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
SQLPythonETLELTdata modelingstreaming frameworksmachine learningdata validationdata governancedata architecture
Soft skills
leadershipproblem-solvingstrategic communicationinterpersonal skillscollaborationinclusivitybusiness impactadaptabilitymentoringaccountability
Certifications
Master's degree