Data Platform Manager

We are looking for a Data Platform Manager to deliver a new cloud-based data platform at the Royal Veterinary College. This role is central to improving how the University uses data to support education, research, clinical activity, and institutional decision-making.

You will be responsible for the technical development and ongoing stewardship of the College’s data platform, which is expected to be developed in Microsoft Fabric. A key focus of the role is providing high quality data that supports self-service reporting and data science capabilities. You will set the technical direction for how we approach data, ensuring that we follow good modelling and engineering practices. 

Alongside this, you will manage a small in-house team, comprised of a DBA and a Data Engineer, providing technical leadership and keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly. While this is a management role, we expect you to be technically hands‑on, and the role will require you to balance platform development with team leadership and operational support, ensuring continuity of service alongside ongoing improvement. You will work closely with, and report into, our Head of Data and Applications to achieve these goals and ensure the data platform aligns with institutional needs. 

Key Responsibilities

• The development, and evolution of a cloud-based data platform
• Oversee the full data lifecycle, including ingestion, transformation, storage, modelling, and presentation.
• Design and maintain data pipelines integrating core institutional systems (including SITS, iTrent, Moodle, RxWorks, and Unit4 Business World)
• Develop curated data models and semantic layers within Fabric to support reporting, analytics, and self-service BI
• Ensure appropriate data governance, security, and access controls are in place and followed.
• Support the operational reliability of the platform, ensuring issues are resolved and services remain stable.
• Provide technical leadership and line management for 2 x full time employees.
• Work with IT colleagues and stakeholders to support better use of data across the organisation. 

 Essential skills

• Prior experience leading data engineering teams: ability to build collaborative, high-performing teams and foster a culture of curiosity and continuous improvement.
• Strong understanding of modern cloud data platforms, including Azure and Fabric services. 
• Experience designing and building data ingestion pipelines. 
• Knowledge of modern data modelling approaches for analytical environments
• Strong understanding of master data management (MDM) principles 
• Understanding of data governance, information security, and the regulatory environment 
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desirable skills

• Relevant certification
• Experience working in higher education, research, healthcare, or similarly complex public sector environments.
• Familiarity with systems such as SITS, iTrent, Moodle, Unit4 Business World, veterinary practice management systems.
• Experience with real-time or event-driven data architectures

 Working Arrangements

This is a hybrid role, with 3 days per week on-site at our Hawkshead Campus in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. 

We offer a generous reward package and benefits including:

• Competitive and attractive pension package
• Generous 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays + concessionary days)
• Access to free in-house CPD and funded external CPD.
• A range of family friendly policies, including adoption, maternity and paternity pay and leave.
• On site café and restaurant 
• Free membership to the newly built Fitness and Wellbeing Centre located on site (gym, badminton, climbing wall, Zumba, yoga, and Pilates classes included)
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free mini-bus service to and from Potters Bar station and Hawkshead Campus

 Contact Jenny Wilshaw (jwilshaw@rvc.ac.uk) with any questions.

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