Data lead

Job Advert

Data Lead

About the Devonshire Group

The Devonshire Group comprises the Devonshire family interests, charities and businesses throughout the UK and Ireland, including Chatsworth in Derbyshire, the Bolton Abbey Estate in North Yorkshire, the Lismore Estate in County Waterford, and the Compton Estate in Sussex.

Across our estates and businesses, we operate visitor attractions, shops, restaurants and luxury accommodation, alongside tenanted residential and commercial property, farming and forestry enterprises, and a significant property development pipeline. We employ around 1,400 colleagues across more than 65,000 acres.

We are committed to benefitting heritage, people and a shared future, preserving and enhancing our heritage assets, supporting our communities, and leading by example in how we do things.

About the role

As our Data Lead, you’ll take a senior role within the IT function, leading the Devonshire Group’s Data pillar and shaping how data is managed, governed and used across the Group.

Reporting to the Head of IT, you’ll have significant ownership of our data direction, leading the development and delivery of our data strategy, governance framework and roadmap. You’ll own the technical direction and ongoing development of our Microsoft Fabric data platform, enterprise data warehouse, integrations and Power BI data models.

This is an opportunity to build and develop our data capability, combining strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in architecture, data modelling and complex delivery. You’ll work closely with senior leaders and teams across the Group to improve how data supports decision-making, while developing the people, standards and capability needed for the future.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead the Group’s Data pillar, working with the Head of IT and business leaders to translate organisational priorities into a clear strategy, prioritised roadmap, backlog and delivery plan
• Own the architecture, development and operation of the Group’s Microsoft Fabric data platform and enterprise data warehouse, remaining hands-on in complex architecture, modelling and engineering work
• Lead integrations from operational systems, ensuring data pipelines are reliable, maintainable, monitored and documented, with clear standards for ingestion, transformation, modelling, storage and publication
• Support the Group’s data governance, working with business leaders to establish data ownership, quality, common definitions, access, security and appropriate use
• Own the governed data, semantic models and measures underpinning Power BI reporting, contribute to complex report delivery and enable business teams to build dashboards using trusted datasets and agreed definitions
• Partner with leaders and operational teams to understand their data requirements and improve decision-making, working with other IT pillar leads to ensure applications, integrations, automation, security and infrastructure support those needs
• Lead, manage and develop the existing data resource, providing technical direction, coaching and increasing responsibility, and building the skills and standards needed across the function
• Monitor and manage Microsoft Fabric capacity, performance, licensing and cost, ensuring data solutions are secure, resilient, scalable and supportable by the internal IT team

About you

We’re looking for someone who has

• Significant experience of modern data platforms, warehouses or lakehouses, with hands-on Microsoft Fabric production experience, strong SQL and practical data engineering capability
• Strong knowledge of data architecture, dimensional modelling, data warehousing and ETL/ELT, alongside Power BI semantic models, datasets, measures and governed reporting
• Experience designing and implementing integrations using APIs, databases, file transfers or managed connectors, with source control, testing and controlled deployment of data solutions
• Experience translating business requirements into pragmatic, supportable solutions, with evidence of improving organisational decision-making through data platforms and better data practices
• Strong understanding of data governance, ownership, quality, lineage, metadata and common definitions, with a pragmatic approach to governance and problem-solving
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences and work with senior leaders to influence priorities and decisions across business areas
• Experience leading and developing technical data professionals and building an effective internal data capability
• Flexibility with working hours to meet business needs and a commitment to the Devonshire Group’s values and standards. Experience in a diverse, multi-business or multi-site organisation and relevant Microsoft, data architecture, engineering or governance qualifications are desirable
• Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car.

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

In return

You’ll join a supportive and friendly IT team within a values-led organisation that genuinely cares about its people. You’ll play a key role in helping the IT function operate effectively and professionally across a diverse, multi-site organisation.

We offer a range of benefits including a wellbeing calendar of events, an onsite gym and swimming pool, and an Estate Pass providing free access to Chatsworth for you and your guests, plus discounts across Devonshire Group hotels, shops and restaurants.

Details of our employee benefits can be found here: https://devonshiregroup.co.uk/work-with-us/working-at-the-devonshire-group/

Our core values are Always Improving, Decency, and Being Inclusive. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are dedicated to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a 2-stage selection process.

Please see attached job description for further information about the role.