Data Director - Strategy & Engineering

Who we are:

Born digital, UST transforms lives through the power of technology. We walk alongside our clients and partners, embedding innovation and agility into everything they do. We help them create transformative experiences and human-centered solutions for a better world.

UST is a mission-driven group of over 30,000+ practical problem solvers and creative thinkers in over 30+ countries. Our entrepreneurial teams are empowered to innovate, act nimbly, and create a lasting and sustainable impact for our clients, their customers, and the communities in which we live.

With us, you’ll create a boundless impact that transforms your career—and the lives of people across the world.

Visit us at UST.com.

You Are:

We are seeking a Data Director - a Technologist and Strategist to architect and steer the next phase of our client’s data ecosystem evolution. This is a senior, hybrid role—combining deep, hands-on architectural design within Data teams, with strategic influence across the C-Suite and broader Technology organisation.

You will be a highly experienced technical leader, responsible for driving innovation and engineering excellence through data solutions across both the Data team and the broader Engineering organisation.

This role demands:

• Deep expertise in Data Technology, including modern data platforms, architectures, and governance
• Strategic vision-setting, shaping long-term direction and alignment with organisational goals
• Hands-on experience with Machine Learning and Generative AI, applying these technologies to real-world business challenges

You’ll work at the intersection of people, platforms, and purpose—leading through influence, championing best practices, and building systems that empower insight-driven innovation at scale.

The Opportunity:

One of our long-term clients is looking to elevate and challenge our existing Data Strategy, with a key focus on delivering against four foundational pillars:

• Real-time data streaming to enable Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) and advance event-driven modeling approaches
• ELT & Lakehouse practices to engineer scalable Data Products that democratise access and unlock business value
• Data Management excellence, embedding robust practices such as Data Registration, Lineage, and Ontology to improve governance and mitigate risk
• Tooling optimisation, ensuring alignment with modern data skillsets and reducing reliance on niche, hard-to-resource technologies

Location:

• Role is based in the East Midlands.
• Willingness to work onsite (3 days) with flexibility for hybrid working where applicable.
• Occasional travel may be required within the UK

What you need:

• Recognised industry expert in Data Technology, including Machine Learning and Generative AI, with a strong grasp of emerging trends and their strategic application to drive business value.
• Strategic leader, capable of co-authoring and executing a compelling data strategy in close partnership with Product, grounded in real-world architecture and business impact.
• Deep technical expertise in Streaming Data, Event-Driven Architectures, and modern Data Lakehouse patterns—encompassing Data Products, ELT pipelines, Distributed Processing, Snowflake, and Data Governance. Proficient in Python, Spark, Java, and AWS Cloud (e.g. Serverless, DynamoDB).
• Fluent in modern software engineering principles, patterns, and practices, with the ability to embed and scale robust methodologies that drive quality, consistency, and velocity across teams.
• Exceptional communicator, adept at aligning cross-functional teams—Tech, Product, Architecture—at all levels of the organisation, from senior executives to delivery teams, both within the UK and globally.
• A driver of cultural transformation, shaping the adoption of modern Data Technology and advancing a data-first mindset across large-scale, cross-functional organisations.

What we believe:

We’re proud to embrace the same values that have shaped UST since the beginning. Since day one, we’ve been building enduring relationships and a culture of integrity. And today, it's those same values that are inspiring us to encourage innovation from everyone, to champion diversity and inclusion, and to place people at the center of everything we do.

Humility:

We will listen, learn, be empathetic and help selflessly in our interactions with everyone.

Humanity:

Through business, we will better the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.

Integrity:

We honor our commitments and act with responsibility in all our relationships.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

UST is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

UST reserves the right to periodically redefine your roles and responsibilities based on the requirements of the organization and/or your performance.