Data Platform Manager

Data Platform Manager
UK / Remote
Circa £70k per annum + 15% bonus & benefits

Are you ready to take ownership of a data platform and shape how data drives business decisions? This is a rare opportunity to step into a leadership role where you'll combine hands-on data engineering with strategic product management, all while building and mentoring a high-performing team.

You'll play a pivotal role in evolving a modern data platform (Microsoft Fabric / Azure Synapse), ensuring it delivers real business value, scalability, and innovation. If you're passionate about data, leadership, and building robust data solutions-this is one you don't want to miss.

What you'll be doing

• Own the end-to-end lifecycle of a core data platform, from design and build through to release, optimisation, and retirement
• Collaborate closely with product owners and data scientists to align platform capabilities with business needs
• Lead datalake migration initiatives, including consolidation of legacy data, medallion architecture design, schema evolution, and cutover planning
• Provide hands-on data engineering expertise, building and optimising PySpark pipelines
• Ensure data is secure, high-quality, accessible, and structured for maximum business value
• Drive best practice in data governance, cataloguing, lineage, and standards across the organisation
• Promote data re-use and reduce duplication across systems
• Oversee ETL processes, data integration, and BI architecture
• Manage and develop a small, high-performing data team, including mentoring, 1:1s, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Work closely with stakeholders across operations, analytics, and reporting teams
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and internal policies

What you'll bring

• Strong hands-on experience in data engineering, including PySpark and production data pipelines
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse, or similar platforms (e.g. Databricks, AWS)
• Proven ability to design and manage scalable data pipelines, models, and schemas
• Solid SQL and relational database expertise
• Experience with datalake migration concepts (medallion architecture, incremental loads, backfill, cutover)
• Strong understanding of data governance, quality, and lifecycle management
• Experience with BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau
• Knowledge of DevOps practices (Git, Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines)
• Strong Python skills and experience with APIs/data integration tools
• Understanding of data protection regulations
• Leadership experience with the ability to mentor and develop teams
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills

Desirable: Experience with project management methodologies, SDLC tools, and awareness of emerging data trends

If you've held any of these roles or used these technologies/skills, this role could be a great fit: Data Product Manager, Data Engineering Lead, Lead Data Engineer, Azure Data Engineer, Data Platform Manager, Analytics Engineering Manager, Cloud Data Engineer, BI & Data Lead, PySpark Engineer, Databricks Engineer, Head of Data Engineering.

Deerfoot Recruitment Solutions Ltd is a leading independent tech recruitment consultancy in the UK. For every CV sent to clients, we donate £1 to The Born Free Foundation. We are a Climate Action Workforce in partnership with Ecologi. If this role isn't right for you, explore our referral reward program with payouts at interview and placement milestones. Visit our website for details. Deerfoot Recruitment Solutions Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.