At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
Senior Data Engineer Permanent Manchester: £56,500 - £63,000 Guildford: £59,000 - £66,000 Hybrid Working
Shape the future of data analytics at AQA. Data has the power to answer some of the most important questions in education. At AQA, we're developing the platforms, tools and capabilities that help us use data most effectively across our organisation.
We're looking for a Senior Data Engineer to play a leading role in that journey. This is a newly created role where you'll have the opportunity to shape how our data platform evolves, influence strategic decisions and help unlock the potential of advanced analytics and AI.
You'll be helping define what great looks like and building the foundations for the future.
Why join AQA?
At AQA, we're more than an exam board. We're an educational charity committed to helping learners realise their potential and supporting better outcomes through research, insight and innovation. Our Data Analytics, Insight & Reporting (DAIR) team plays a critical role in helping the organisation make informed decisions through trusted data and meaningful insights.
As our Senior Data Engineer, you'll join a highly skilled and supportive team with a clear vision for the future. You'll have the freedom to influence major decisions, collaborate with experts across technology and data and help transform how data is used throughout the organisation.
What makes this role particularly exciting?
- You'll lead the data engineering direction within the DAIR team.
- You'll help migrate and develop our data platform, shaping its future capabilities.
- You'll influence how analytics, reporting and AI for analytics are enabled across AQA.
- You'll work closely with data architects, technology specialists and business stakeholders.
- You'll have the opportunity to mentor and develop others.
- You'll join at a stage where your ideas and expertise can genuinely shape the future direction of the data analytics function.
What’s in it for me?
- a 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working
- 25 days’ annual leave rising to 30, plus Christmas closure days
- up to 11.5 percent combined pension contribution
- BUPA healthcare support
- wellbeing programmes and volunteering opportunities
- an inclusive, values-led culture with employee networks including LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, empowering women, wellbeing, ethnic diversity and Interfaith
In this role, you'll be responsible for:
- Leading data engineering activities within the DAIR team.
- Designing and developing scalable, secure and high-performing cloud-based data analytics solutions.
- Building, maintaining and optimising data pipelines and integrations across multiple systems.
- Leading data modelling activities to support analytics and reporting.
- Using technologies such as SQL and Python to deliver robust data solutions.
- Working with technology colleagues to ensure alignment with architecture, governance and security standards.
- Helping create the foundations needed to support advanced analytics and AI.
- Establishing and promoting data engineering best practice, standards and documentation.
- Managing and developing an Analytics Engineer within the team.
- Collaborating with stakeholders across the organisation to solve complex data challenges.
We'd love to hear from you if you have:
- Experience in a senior or lead data engineering role.
- A strong background in designing and implementing cloud-based data platforms using technologies such as Azure, Databricks, Snowflake or similar.
- Strong coding skills, such as SQL or Python.
- Experience designing data models and database structures.
- A track record of integrating data across multiple systems and platforms.
- Knowledge of data governance, security and access controls.
- The ability to influence, engage and build strong relationships with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for continuous improvement.
- Experience with Alteryx and AI-enabled analytics would be advantageous but isn't essential.
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong leadership and influencing skills
- Ability to engage and negotiate with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify pragmatic solutions
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly
- A strategic mindset with the ability to balance long-term direction and immediate delivery
- Self-starter with an inquisitive and proactive approach
- Strong continuous improvement mindset
- Highly collaborative with the ability to build strong working relationships
- Organised and detail-oriented with a focus on quality and delivery
To be successful in this role, you will need:
- Demonstrable experience in a senior or lead data engineering role and/or a degree in an analytical, technical or mathematical discipline
- Experience designing and implementing cloud-based data platforms using Azure, Databricks or similar
- Understanding of data architecture principles (desirable, working closely with formal Data Architecture roles)
- Significant experience in data modelling and database design
- Strong coding skills such as SQL or Python
- Experience of data integration across multiple systems and platforms
- Understanding of data governance, security and access control principles
- Experience working with tools such as Alteryx (desirable)
- Awareness or experience of large-scale data platforms supporting AI or advanced analytics (desirable)
Full Job Description Summary
This role will act as the lead for data engineering within the Data Analytics, Insight & Reporting (DAIR) team, with accountability for shaping, delivering and evolving the organisation’s data platform from an analytics and insight perspective. The postholder will help to translate AQA’s data strategy into practical, scalable data platform capabilities that enable high-quality analytics, reporting and the use of AI. They will work collaboratively with technology colleagues to ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture, governance and security standards. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the role will drive best practice in data engineering across DAIR and influence how the data platform supports organisational data analysis priorities.
Landscape
AQA is a leading exam board and educational charity. As well as delivering high quality assessment, we believe it is vital we use our research, insight and expertise to support strategic decision making and business improvement. The DAIR team plays a key role in enabling this by providing trusted data, insight and reporting across the organisation. This role will be critical for shaping AQA’s ability to deliver its data strategy.
Activities
- Lead DAIR’s input into the design and development of the data platform, ensuring it supports analytics, insight and reporting, and work collaboratively with technology colleagues to align approach.
- Help design scalable, secure and high-performing data solutions that meet business needs.
- Design, build and maintain robust data pipelines and integrations across systems.
- Lead data modelling to support analytics and reporting.
- Use coding skills such as SQL or Python to deliver efficient, scalable solutions.
- Help enable AI and advanced analytics through effective data engineering.
- Work with colleagues to implement and maintain defined data access controls and standards.
- Support compliance with organisational and regulatory governance requirements.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to define data engineering solutions and resolve complex issues.
- Ensure solutions are well documented and maintainable.
- Promote best practice in documentation, coding standards and data engineering processes.
- Represent DAIR in relevant meetings and data governance forums.
- Line manage an analytics engineer development post.
- Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve and staying up-to-date with emerging technologies and best practice.
- Provide flexible support across the team and undertake other tasks commensurate with the role.
Reasonable Adjustments
If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at [email protected] or on 07813 724161. We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate. Please note that Faye will not be able to assist you with enquiries regarding Temporary vacancies or non-recruitment enquiries. If you have query regarding Temporary vacancies, please contact: [email protected]
Smart Working
We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and supported to thrive.
Conflict of Interest
Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.
Safeguarding
AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly. For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here.
Contact
Temporary roles: [email protected]
Permanent and Fixed Term roles: [email protected]
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