UK Head of Data Platform

Investec is a distinctive Specialist Bank serving clients principally in the UK and South Africa. Our culture gives us our edge: we work hard to find colleagues who'll think out of the ordinary and we put them in environments where they'll flourish. We combine a flat structure with a focus on internal mobility. If you can bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to learn and collaborate to your work, this could be the boost your career deserves.

Join Investec as the Head of Data Platforms and drive the modernisation and efficiency of our cloud-based 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.

What we are looking for:

• 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.

Here is a selection of what we offer;

Wellbeing

Wellbeing Subsidy, Corporate Gym Membership, Virtual GP, Peppy Health App (Fertility, Menopause and Early Parenthood), Optional Private Medical & Dental Insurance

Monetary

Non-contributory Pension & Discretionary Bonus

Life & Income Protection

Life Assurance, Critical Illness & Income Protection

Travel

Season Ticket Loan & Electric Vehicle Scheme

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.

Research shows that some candidates can be reluctant to apply to a role unless they meet all the criteria. We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit here and welcome you to do the same – if the role excites you, please don't let our person specification hold you back. Get in touch!

Recite Me

We commit to ensure that everyone is fairly assessed during our recruitment process. To assist candidates in completing their application form, Recite Me assistive technology is available on our Careers pages. This can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Accessibility Options' link at the top of the page.

The Recite Me tool includes a screen reader, styling and customisation options, a series of reading aids, a translator and more.

If you have any form of disability or neurodivergent need and require further assistance in completing your application, please contact the Careers team at [email protected] who will be happy to assist.