UK Head of Data Platform

Investec UK is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Data Platforms to lead our data platform team. In this role, you will work closely with the Head of Data for UK and SA to oversee the strategic and operational management of our cloud-based data platform, based in Microsoft Azure.

As the Head of the One Data Platform (ODP), you will play a critical role in ensuring the platform's scalability, reliability, and efficiency to support the data needs of our decentralised Data & Analytics teams and the AI function. You will also be responsible for managing financial operations (FinOps) related to cloud services and IT service management, optimizing cost, performance, and service delivery.

What you will be doing:

Platform Strategy and ongoing management

• Develop and execute a strategic plan for the cloud-based data platform in alignment with our overall data strategy and business objectives, and be responsible for driving modernisation as technology evolves.


• Ensure the platform's architecture supports scalability, data security, and compliance with data governance and privacy standards.


• Oversee the deployment, management, and optimization of cloud services to meet the needs of decentralised data teams, business platform teams, and AI initiatives.


FinOps and Cost Management

• Implement FinOps practices to monitor and optimize cloud spending, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and cost-effectiveness.


• Collaborate with finance and business units to forecast cloud budgets, aligning expenditures with strategic priorities.


IT Service Management

• Embed and maintain group-aligned IT service management (ITSM) practices to ensure high-quality service delivery and platform availability, with robust incident and problem management processes to minimize disruptions.


• Coordinate with ITS and Security teams to enforce security policies and protocols, ensuring the platform's integrity and safeguarding data.


Leadership and Team Development

• Lead and mentor the cloud data platform team, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.


• Foster collaboration with decentralised Data & Analytics teams, the AI function, and other technology departments to ensure effective platform support.


• Serve as a cloud technology evangelist, advocating for cloud best practices and emerging technologies within the organisation.
  
  Extensive experience in managing cloud-based data platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure, in a large-scale, complex environment.


• Strong knowledge of FinOps principles and practices, with a demonstrated ability to manage cloud costs and budgeting effectively.


• Proficiency in IT service management frameworks (e.g., ITIL) and experience in managing IT services in a cloud environment.


• Expertise in cloud engineering, security, compliance, and data governance, with an understanding of regulatory requirements in the financial services sector.


• Leadership skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams, foster collaboration, and drive innovation.


• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging with technical and non-technical stakeholders across the organisation.


• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on delivering business value.


As part of our collaborative & agile culture, our working week is 4 days in the office and one day remote.

Investec offers a range of wellbeing benefits to make our people feel healthier, balanced and more fulfilled in their lives inside and outside of work., Embedded in our culture is a sense of belonging and inclusion. This creates an environment in which everyone is free to be themselves which helps to drive innovation, creativity and ultimately business performance. At Investec we want everyone to find it easy to be themselves, and to feel they belong. It's a responsibility we all share and is integral to our purpose and values as an organisation.