Data Platform Lead
Salford City Council
About us
Salford is an innovative, globally connected city with a thriving tech ecosystem centred on MediaCityUK, home to world-leading digital and creative industries. Salford City Council is on a mission to harness the power of AI and data to reimagine public services for the future. Our newly formed AI & Data team is at the forefront of this work, designing intelligent, data-driven solutions that make life better for residents and help create a fairer, greener, and healthier Salford.
About the Role
This is a strategic, high-impact role with senior ownership of the council's data platforms and data engineering capability, from setting technical direction and architecture through to ensuring reliable, well-governed data flows across the organisation. You will work closely with AI, analytics, digital and service leaders to ensure that Salford's data foundations enable trusted insight, operational performance and responsible AI use.
In this role, you will define and maintain the target architecture for modern, cloud-based data platforms, including lakehouse approaches using Microsoft Fabric, and translate the council's AI & Data Strategy into a coherent platform roadmap. You will lead and develop the data engineering team, embedding consistent engineering practices, and act as the senior technical authority for data platform decisions, balancing innovation with reliability, cost control and long-term sustainability.
About you
You're an experienced data engineering or data platform leader who combines technical expertise with strategic thinking and a collaborative approach. You have significant experience designing and operating modern cloud-based data platforms, a strong understanding of lakehouses, data architecture and data lifecycle management, and the ability to set standards and make technology decisions that stick. You're comfortable influencing senior stakeholders, leading teams through change, and working pragmatically within the opportunities and constraints of the public sector.
You'll bring strong knowledge of Microsoft Fabric or Azure data platforms, a commitment to governance and ethical data use by design, and a drive to build high-quality, trusted data foundations that make a real difference for Salford's residents and services.
If you have any queries about the role, contact Adam Grant (Head of AI and Data): adam.grant@salford.gov.uk
If you have completed the GM Elevate Leadership Development Programme within the last 2 years, please indicate this within the 'About You' or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.
Want to know more about Salford?
As an authority we are dedicated to improving the lives of our residents, and as an employer we are passionate about helping individuals to thrive in their work. We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud of our professional accreditations which champion this.
Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. You’ll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you on our Salford pages!
Privacy Statement and Data Protection
Our core data protection obligations and commitments are set out in the council’s primary Recruitment and Employment Privacy Notice which can be found at https://www.salford.gov.uk/gdpr .