Senior Data Engineering & Operations Manager

Job description

About the role We are looking for a Senior Manager - Data Engineering & Operations to provide technical and operational leadership in our Etc. business unit. Etc. is the innovation arm of the BT Group focused on creating new products and services, particularly around technology, data, AI and emerging markets. Using a startup mindset, we reimagine the traditional by utilising our unique assets across BT Group to solve real-world problems that transform businesses and people’s lives. The team accelerates exploration and early-stage product development to help BT embrace a culture of learning and evidence-led decisions. This is a pivotal leadership role as we transition Etc. from build/launch to scaling a broader data monetisation business. We require authoritative technical leadership to design, build and operate scalable, secure and resilient data and software solutions that deliver measurable business value and meet customer needs. This includes end‑to‑end accountability across architecture, engineering standards, automated testing, deployment, and in‑life service performance. A strong understanding of the modern data technology landscape and the ability to engage credibly in technical discussions are essential for this position. You will be able to demonstrate how you have applied modern data technologies to solve complex problems and deliver measurable outcomes. What you’ll be doing Data & Engineering Strategy Own and execute the data and software engineering strategy and technology roadmap, accountable for architecture, platforms, data infrastructure and engineering practices from initial design through delivery and in‑life operation. Multi-tenant Data Platform Deliver a shared, multi‑tenant data platform, including accountability for data availability, quality and resilience, enabling multiple revenue‑generating products and solutions in line with BT enterprise architecture. Engineering Operations Drive engineering and operational excellence, embedding agile delivery, automation, continuous improvement and best practices across software development, data engineering, security and compliance. Technical Leadership Provide clear, practical and authoritative technical leadership on complex and unfamiliar problems, including emerging technologies, using specialist expertise where required to develop robust solutions. Team Leadership Lead high‑performing engineering teams, setting clear technical direction, developing capability, and fostering a culture of engineering excellence, innovation, accountability and continuous improvement. Shape Commercial/Investment Decisions Balance near‑term delivery commitments with longer‑term platform strategy, operational efficiency and business growth. Stakeholder Management Build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders, customers, suppliers and partners, influencing decisions and resolving complex escalations across a complex matrix of Networks, Data, Digital, Product, Sales and Operations teams. Suppliers/Partner Engagement Lead supplier and partner engagement, ensuring effective collaboration, clear delivery accountability and alignment to strategic priorities, roadmaps and outcomes. Essential Skills / Experience Strong technical background and experience operating at senior data, engineering or technology leadership level. You have proven experience leading technical teams and developing engineering capability. Experience designing, building and operating complex data platforms in production, with strong experience across modern cloud and data technologies such as Databricks, Snowflake, GCP and/or AWS. Experience identifying, assessing and managing commercial, delivery and operational risks within customer delivery programmes or projects, and determining appropriate mitigation and commercial responses. Desirable Skills / Experience Ability to engage hands-on with technical problems, the ability to engage meaningfully in architecture, data engineering and software engineering discussions and challenge where appropriate. Proven experience defining and executing technical strategy, vision and roadmaps, including making prioritisation and investment decisions and translating strategy into measurable business outcomes. Strong experience influencing senior stakeholders across multiple business and technology functions. Able to communicate complex technical issues clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. An understanding of reliability, resilience, security, release management, DevOps and in-life service performance. Any experience with the below are advantageous: Data Monetisation Telco or Network Sata Financial Services Data or Fraud Detection InfoSum or equivalent Data Clean Room / Data Collaboration Technologies Developer Platforms or API ecosystems Building and Scaling new Digital Products Our Package Tailored benefits make a real difference. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range to support your growth, wellbeing, and everyday life. You can design the package to suit you and your lifestyle. Your core benefits include: Company car scheme (or cash alternative) 15% on target annual bonus Private healthcare for you and your family Access to an online private GP 24/7 for you and your immediate family Market-leading paid carers leave with up to 2 weeks off Equalised maternity, paternity, and adoption leave – 18 weeks’ full pay and 8 weeks’ half pay Discounted EE and BT products, including mobile and broadband Market leading Pension scheme – 5% from you and 10% from us Holiday purchase scheme You can select additional benefits, including healthcare, dental, gym memberships and more when you’re ready. BT Group is the UK’s leading communications group and the holding company behind some of the country’s most recognised brands – including BT, EE, Openreach and Plusnet. Our purpose is as simple as it is ambitious: we connect for good. Our customers include consumers, small, medium and large businesses, public sector organisations and other communications providers. BT Group’s role is about setting direction, unlocking value and creating the conditions for our brands and businesses to thrive. Having come through the most capital-intensive phase of our fibre investment, our focus now is on what comes next – simplifying how we operate, using technology and AI to work smarter, and organising ourselves to serve customers better and grow sustainably. Group teams shape strategy, policy, brand, capital allocation and transformation, helping the whole organisation perform at its best. We have a singular culture that unites all our people: we are customer-first challengers, who are committed, clear and connected. These behaviours unite us as one team to deliver for our colleagues, our customers, our stakeholders and the country. Joining BT Group means working at the heart of a business that matters to the UK, with the opportunity to shape decisions, influence outcomes and help set the future course of one of the country’s most important companies.