Head of Data Engineering - E5

We are looking for an experienced engineering leader to lead our Data Engineering function and shape the future of how data is managed, governed and delivered across the Society. You will be accountable for building and operating modern data workflows, data products and domain-aligned data capabilities that enable analytics, artificial intelligence, operational processes and regulatory outcomes.

Leading multiple engineering teams, you will set the technical direction for data engineering and establish standards for data architecture, engineering practices, automation and delivery. You will drive the adoption of modern Lakehouse engineering patterns, ensuring our data workflows are scalable, secure, reliable and cost-effective.

You will be responsible for engineering capabilities spanning structured and unstructured data, data lineage, metadata management, reference data, data quality controls and enterprise data products. Working closely with architecture, governance, analytics and artificial intelligence teams, you will ensure trusted and reusable data assets are delivered consistently across the organisation.

A key focus of the role will be modernising engineering practices through automation, continuous integration and deployment, infrastructure as code, testing and observability. You will champion engineering excellence, create a high-performing culture and develop the capability of engineers across the function.

This is an opportunity to lead one of the Society's most important engineering disciplines, providing the foundations for data, analytics and artificial intelligence at enterprise scale.

We are happy to consider flexible working approaches to help you perform at your best.

At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible. More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working. We value our time in the office to solve problems, to learn, and to feel connected.

For this job you'll spend at least two days per week, or if part time you'll spend 40% of your working time, based at our Swindon office. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works. You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here.

Nationwide is committed to the redeployment of our employees impacted by change, as such applications for redeployment candidates will be prioritised in this recruitment process.
 
If you’re a colleague on long-term absence (for example, on parental leave) or a temporary worker, please use your personal email address to submit an application.

What you’ll be doing

You'll lead teams of data engineers who build and operate the data workflows, pipelines and data products that power reporting, analytics, operations and artificial intelligence across the Society. You'll work with business and technology leaders to prioritise delivery, remove obstacles and ensure data is trusted, secure and easy to access. On a typical day you'll be shaping engineering strategy, reviewing technical designs, driving automation and coaching engineers to deliver high-quality outcomes. You'll help define standards for data architecture, data controls, lineage and governance while ensuring our data workflows and data products remain scalable, resilient and cost-effective. You'll also play a key role in advancing our use of modern technologies and engineering practices to improve speed, quality and reliability.
 

About you

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Significant experience leading large-scale Data Engineering teams and delivering enterprise data platforms and data products.
• Proven expertise in Databricks, including building and operating Lakehouse solutions in production environments.
• Strong hands-on experience of modern data transformation practices using dbt, with a track record of establishing engineering standards and ways of working.
• Demonstrable experience designing and delivering data solutions across both structured and unstructured data environments.
• Experience implementing enterprise data controls, data quality frameworks, metadata management and end-to-end data lineage.
• Proven ability to establish and drive engineering automation, including testing, monitoring, operational tooling and engineering productivity improvements.
• Strong experience implementing continuous integration and continuous deployment practices, Git-based development workflows and infrastructure-as-code approaches for data engineering solutions

Our customer first behaviours put customers and members at the heart of how we work together. They are the set of behaviours that every colleague needs to display, in every role:

• Feel what customers feel - We step into our customers’ shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind

• Say it straight - We are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we’re honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand

• Push for better - We don’t settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development

• Get it done - We prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes

You can strengthen your application by showing how our customer first behaviours resonate with you, and where you may have already demonstrated these.

The extras you’ll get

There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:

• 30 days holiday, pro rata

• Private medical insurance

• A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement

• Access to an annual performance-related bonus

• Training and development to help you progress your career

• A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme

• Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death

• Wellhub – access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness

• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year

Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society

We forge our own path at Nationwide.

As a mutual, we’re owned by our members - those customers who bank, save or have a mortgage with us. We challenge the financial sector status quo. We don’t see customers as the engine of our own profit. We share our profits with them and put their needs first. Always there when they need us. Supporting them and their lives.

If you’re inspired by fairer finances, passionate about making a meaningful impact, and truly care about our customers, you’re one of us.

At Nationwide, you are challenged to grow and rewarded for doing so. Valued. Recognised. Inspired to be your best. As a community, we want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve. As a standard-setter, we work for the good of customers, communities, and broader society.

We are purpose-driven. Uncompromisingly customer. Unstoppably Nationwide.

What to do next

If this role is for you, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You’ll need to attach your up-to-date CV and answer a few quick questions for us. 

We respond to everyone, so we will be in contact shortly after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application.

The hiring manager for this role is Nitin Kulkarni, and the main recruitment contact is Nathan Richens.

Please note that should you be successful in securing this role, the job title on our internal systems will be Engineer E5.