Hastings Direct
Head of Data Platform Engineering
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Job Title
This is an exciting opportunity for overall responsibility for the design, build, and maintenance of the Snowflake and Azure enterprise data platform. You will manage platform engineering, quality and governance delivery teams, delivering both projects and BAU activities, aligning to CIO ways of working and coordinating delivery plans with end-to-end outcomes across CIO. Next to delivery you will need to focus on a clear understanding of the Hastings strategy and an ability to interpret that into the daily work to push our achievements and support the continued growth of the company. As a strategic leader the role holder will be expected to work beyond technology to influence decisions and outcomes for the greater good.
Job Details
Data Platform Operations
- Managing production ETL/ELT pipelines and data orchestration frameworks.
- Ensuring data platform security, compliance, and access controls.
- Implementing and governing data quality, lineage, observability, and metadata management.
- Ensuring the sustainability and scalability of our data infrastructure and that it enables the company to achieve its business objectives.
Data Platform Optimization
- Ensuring that the team is working efficiently and effectively, bringing an agile mindset to adapting to changing circumstances while working within the organizational constraints of budget, resource, and quality.
- Work closely with CIO FinOps and all data teams across the company to ensure our data platform run cost stays within the agreed budget.
Centre of Excellence
- Implement a data platform engineering CoE within the PDA community to support all data teams at Hastings to use the Snowflake platform efficiently and effectively.
Coding Standards
- Create, implement, maintain, and control adherence to appropriate coding standards in line with industry best practices to meet quality measures and guarantee the achievement of high-quality outcomes.
Skills we would love you to have
- Proficiency with traditional database and cloud data platform ETL technologies
- Proficiency with Big Data integration technologies
- Significant experience of CI/CD, data platform engineering, testing, and release principle/best practice
- Significant experience in a business within a fast-paced and constantly evolving market
- Must have previous experience leading and maintaining a high standard in a business’s data engineering department
- Knowledge/experience working with numerous methodologies and tools
- An excellent communicator, both in written and oral form and an equally proficient listener with all audiences and stakeholders
- Deep passion for research and analysis, outstanding troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, and the ability to manipulate, interpret, and understand large amounts of data
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Benefits
- Competitive salary and £6k car allowance
- Flexible working – we champion a flexible hybrid working approach – please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail
- Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus
- Physical wellbeing – as a Band 5 colleague, Hastings pays for you to receive private medical insurance (also known as PMI). This gives you flexibility and convenience to see a specialist or consultant and allows you to decide when and where you will be seen
- Financial wellbeing – as well as providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%, we are proud to provide you with an award-winning package which includes – discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice, and free access to financial wellbeing support
- Mental wellbeing programme – we have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance program available 24/7, our own in-house mental health first aiders, support groups, and a dedicated team to make sure we are covering your needs
- There's more! – 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks, access to our health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year, and much more.
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About Hastings Group
Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.
At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.
Job Posting End Date
31/07/2026
Would you like to learn more about how we value diversity and inclusion at Hastings Direct and what our rewards and benefits package looks like? Are you interested in how we engage with and support our local communities and the wonderful wellbeing programme you will have access to? Click here and check out the "what we offer" tab to learn more.
About Hastings Direct
Hastings Direct is a fast-growing, agile, digitally focused general insurance provider of products and services to over 4 million customers in the UK, employing over 4,600 colleagues. Our vision – to be the best and biggest digital insurance provider in the market. It's our attitude and the way we run our business that makes us different. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company, and community. It's a dynamic, flexible, fun, and constantly changing environment. You'll enjoy the scope to make a real difference for our customers, influence our company, benefit the communities we work in, and have fun along the way. If you enjoyed the video and would like to learn more about #LifatHD, check out our colleague stories.
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