Head of Cloud Data

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Some of our great benefits:

We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered

Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days

Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass

Defined benefit pension scheme

75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)

Interest free travel loan for train and car park season tickets

Volunteer leave to make a positive impact

Duration:Permanent.

Location:The Quadrant, Milton Keynes or Manchester Square One.

Band & Salary:Band 2B £71,163 - £86,801 (plus car allowance).

The role drives data architecture, governance and engineering excellence, ensuring data is accessible, trusted and optimised to support analytics, reporting and innovation. Working closely with technology and business stakeholders, the Head of Cloud Data enables data-driven decision making, promotes best practices in data management, and ensures cloud data capabilities deliver maximum value in support of operational performance and strategic transformation.

The railway has seen nearly 200 years of technology and innovation that has transformed how we provide services to passengers and freight customers.

Technology is continuing to transform the railway industry. Imagine an exciting environment where Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) are not just buzzwords but the driving force behind every operation, every decision, and every solution.

As part of the DDaT directorate, you have a unique opportunity to enable our customers and industry partner with modern and transformative technology. From the day to day IT operations that keeps a national railway running, to the extensive delivery programmes that our helping to reshape the railway - we are at the forefront of all of it. We operate with a talented and passionate workforce, fostering empowered individuals and teams who understand that technology is not just a tool - it's the catalyst for progress, especially in an ever demanding industry where change is a constant.

• Deliver the cloud data strategy, aligning with Network Rail's wider data objectives to maximise the value of data across the organisation.
• Design and implement scalable, secure cloud data solutions, ensuring they meet business needs while adhering to enterprise standards.
• Optimise cloud data platforms (e.g. Azure/AWS Data Factory, Data Lakes, analytics services), driving high performance, reliability and efficiency.
• Build and lead a high performing data team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Embed security and compliance by design, ensuring robust controls across encryption, access management and audit logging.
• Partner with business teams, project delivery and suppliers to identify and deliver data driven opportunities that support strategic goals.
• Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies, continuously enhancing Network Rail's cloud data capabilities and driving innovation.
• Provide technical leadership and direction, championing best practice in cloud data engineering and enabling consistent, high quality delivery across teams.

The ideal candidate

Meet the essential criteria?

• Proven experience in leading data management or analytics teams, with a strong background in multiple cloud data services (e.g., Azure/AWS Data Factory, Azure/AWS Data Lake, Azure/AWS Analytics).
• Deep understanding of data architecture principles, data modelling, and ETL processes.
• Experience with data governance, data quality management, and data security practices.
• Significantexperienceoperatingatseniorlevelsininformationtechnologywithsolid backgroundindataarchitecture,planning,design,anddevelopment.
• Significantexperienceofoperatingataseniorlevel,buildingeffectiverelationships,anddealingwith executive colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) to explain technical concepts to non technical peopleincludingfrontlinestaffandseniorbusinessandtechnologyleadership.
• Abilitytotakeastrategicviewandseethe'bigpicture'alliedtotheabilitytoadoptananalyticalapproachtocomplexchangeprogrammeswiththeawarenessofoperationalimplications.
• Experience of developing strategy and architecture based on emerging digital technologies (e.g. IOT,API,AI,Social,Mobile,Cloud,AppsModernisation).
• Experience of leading and developing teams including performance management coaching andprofessionaldevelopment.
• Certifications in one or more cloud data services (e.g., Azure/AWS Data Engineer Associate, Azure/AWS Data Scientist Associate).
• Experience in implementing machine learning and advanced analytics projects using multiple cloud services.
• Familiarity with data visualisation tools and techniques.
• Broad experience of the use of modelling, data management, simulation, workflow and end user analysistools.
• Knowledge of data compliance and privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
• Leadership experience in other parts of the IT lifecycle - including build, service, operations, suppliermanagement.
• Proven experience in strategic risk identification, assessment, and management.