Lead Data Engineer

Manchester, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Budapest hybrid

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention services across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Meta, eBay, and OpenAI. We have been certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.

DEPT®/AI has a single mission: to make the best work in the industry using Data & AI to enhance everything we do. This role sits within our Data & AI practice, which has deep expertise in leveraging AI. The team includes data strategists, consultants, data scientists and analysts that work alongside DEPT® teams around the world across different services – from commerce, to full-funnel media, content engineering to internal operations. You will be solving some of the hardest and most challenging problems facing some of the best loved brands in the world – and doing this alongside an experienced team.

This role is part of our EMEA Data craft team, an integrated craft across Europe driving data engineering, data science, and AI initiatives. We combine our expertise in data architecture, analytics, and AI to deliver exceptional data-driven solutions that build lasting relationships with our clients like Footlocker, Nikon, Rituals, and Philips.

This role also requires a technically excellent, strategic thinker with proven experience in leading data engineering teams and implementing enterprise-scale data solutions.

JOB PURPOSE

As part of the EMEA Data craft team, you will be responsible for shaping and executing our data engineering strategy, delivering technical excellence on complex client projects, and building a high-performing team of data engineers.

To be successful in this role, you must combine deep technical expertise with strong business acumen and leadership skills. You'll work closely with clients to understand their business challenges and translate these into robust data engineering solutions. You'll guide technical decision-making, establish best practices, and ensure our data engineering capabilities remain at the cutting edge of industry standards.

An entrepreneurial spirit with a bias for action, excellent communication skills, and the ability to bridge the gap between technical solutions and business stakeholders is essential to succeed in this role.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Lead the strategic development of our data engineering proposition and capabilities
• Set technical standards and best practices for data engineering across EMEA
• Guide and mentor data engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation
• Design and implement scalable, reliable data architectures and pipelines for enterprise clients
• Serve as the technical authority on client engagements, providing expert guidance
• Build and grow a high-performing data engineering team
• Work closely with the broader Data & AI practice to deliver integrated solutions
• Support business development efforts through technical expertise in client pitches
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies and methodologies in the data engineering space

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Extensive experience in data engineering with a proven track record of leading complex data initiatives
• Experience leading projects and, with the ability to guide and develop engineering teams
• Deep expertise in designing and implementing data architectures, data pipelines, and ETL processes
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, Azure) and their data-specific services
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, and data orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow, DBT)
• Experience with modern data warehouse technologies (BigQuery, Snowflake, Redshift, etc.)
• Strong understanding of data modeling, data governance, and data quality principles
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for business stakeholders
• Strategic thinking with the ability to develop and execute technical roadmaps
• Experience working in an agency or consulting environment is highly advantageous
• Proven ability to mentor and develop technical talent
• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

WE OFFER

• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with clients of all sizes and across all industries. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
• The opportunity for possibility. We want to enable you to do what you do best and help you develop your skills further with training, development and certifications.
• Global annual DEPT® Cares Month in which employees come together and donate their skills to support local charities
• Additionally; each office has its long list of local benefits, you can find out more about those in a talk with our recruiter

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.