Data Platform Lead

About ZURU

ZURU is a pioneering company on a mission to revolutionize multiple industries by challenging conventions and driving radical innovation through automation. The company operates across several sectors: reimagining play with ZURU Toys; leading advancements in construction via ZURU Tech; and launching next-generation FMCG brands through ZURU Edge. Established in 2003 by brothers Nick and Mat Mowbray—recognized entrepreneurs—the company has rapidly expanded to over 5000 team members globally across more than 30 countries. ZURU's globally acclaimed products include the renowned Bunch O Balloons, Mini Brands, XSHOT, Rainbocorns, Smashers, as well as FMCG brands such as MONDAY Haircare, Rascals, NOOD, BONKERS, and Gumi Yum Surprise.

Role Summary

As Data Platform Lead, you will oversee both the data platform and data product teams, delivering measurable value across the Toys, Tech, and Edge business divisions. Direct management of the Platform team will involve working with technologies like Databricks, AWS, and Fivetran while simultaneously driving the Data Products team to deliver consistent, rapid value. You will prioritize quick delivery cycles, impact measurement, and enabling teams to operate independently, discontinuing efforts that don't yield results.

Key Milestones and Impact

• Within two weeks: Take ownership of the data platform including migration to Databricks, AWS SSO implementation, and Fivetran connectors; familiarize with product roadmaps and stakeholder priorities; identify top business blockers.
• Within one month: Achieve 1-2 swift wins; establish weekly progress reporting; manage Platform team priorities; forge key stakeholder relationships.
• Within first quarter: Ensure Data Products team delivers measurable benefits such as time savings and decision enhancements; complete dev/prod separation and stabilize Databricks migration; operate federated model with strong self-service capabilities.
• By six months: Gain recognition as a vital partner to business units; maintain highly stable and governed platform (>99.5% uptime); mentor team deeply on core technologies; terminate 2-3 ineffective initiatives and amplify successful ones; implement composable data infrastructure supporting data and AI goals.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Data Platform team owning critical infrastructure including Databricks lakehouse, AWS services, and data integration tools, maintaining hands-on involvement in architecture, code reviews, and mentorship to foster self-service and prevent bottlenecks.
• Implement a federated ownership model where shared platform capabilities are central yet business units retain ownership of domain-specific data products and analytics, aiming for extensive self-service (80%+ across units).
• Utilize incremental delivery cycles focused on minimum viable products within 2-3 weeks, validating with a single business unit before wider adoption, and swiftly terminating low-impact projects within 4-6 weeks.
• Prioritize measurable business outcomes over technical outputs by tracking metrics such as time saved, improved decision-making, adoption rates, and satisfaction rather than volume of dashboards or pipelines.
• Design modular, adaptable systems that avoid complexity and vendor lock-in, continually simplifying the technology stack to support scalability and evolving requirements.
• Promote self-service through comprehensive documentation and automated governance to minimize manual support, targeting auto-approval of 95%+ data access requests.
• Maintain robust security, privacy, and compliance standards using streamlined governance frameworks that facilitate speed rather than impose cumbersome processes.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders across business units, demonstrating value delivery regularly, progressing from business challenges to data solutions, and safeguarding focus on high-impact work by halting low-value efforts.
• Develop and grow data engineering talent by providing mentorship, fostering expertise, encouraging experimentation, and actively managing team capacity and skills.

Required Tools and Technologies

• Cloud services such as AWS (including S3, IAM, MWAA Airflow, ECS)
• Data tools including Databricks, Delta Lake, SQL, Python notebooks, Fivetran, DBT, Airflow, PowerBI, and Terraform

Qualifications and Experience

• 5 to 10 years experience leading data teams focused on delivering concrete business outcomes with teams ranging from 10 to 20 members.
• Expertise in managing data as products, focusing on user needs and measurable business impact, with readiness to discontinue ineffective initiatives.
• Practical experience implementing federated data ownership models balancing central and domain responsibilities.
• A strong orientation towards speed, experimentation, and quick iterative delivery of MVPs with readiness to pivot or cut unsuccessful efforts early.
• Hands-on leadership capability with solid technical background in SQL, Python, data modelling, pipelines, and cloud infrastructure, capable of guiding architecture and engineering quality.

LIFE@ZURU

ZURU fosters a culture of high performance where team members pursue ambitious goals, continuously learn, and enjoy their work. The company empowers individuals to advance their careers in an environment of rapid growth with unique professional opportunities. Emphasizing wellbeing, ZURU offers numerous benefits and resources to support employee health and balance.

Benefits

• A culture that nurtures personal and professional growth
• Work alongside a highly skilled and driven team
• Competitive salary and remuneration package

ZURU invites you to envision and build tomorrow’s future together.