Senior Data Engineer (Modernisation)

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced DBA and Data Engineer with a strong background in SQL Server and automated testing.

The role will work within the Data Engineering team which delivers high quality business and complex clinical reporting structures from disparate systems within a consistent and stable framework that is monitored and assured.

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people. The Christie supports flexible working, enquiries welcomed. Previous experience of working for the NHS or in a healthcare environment is not essential for this role.

Main duties of the job

Lead the Data Engineering modernisation programme with the Data Engineering Lead. Develop close working relationships with all members of the Digital Services team and stakeholders to ensure data solutions are built that meet the needs of the trust.

Lead the migration process from legacy reporting and database systems.

Deliver and establish SQL server migration/upgrade and set up non-production environments.

Develop a Data Engineering testing model.

Working for our organisation

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Lead the Data Engineering modernisation programme with the Data Engineering Lead.
• Complete SQL Server migration/upgrade and set up non-production environments, working with Senior Data Engineer.
• Lead the tester and development of a Data Engineering testing model.
• Lead the legacy removal work stream.
• Provide expertise and engage in wider architecture discussions across Digital Services. Input into Future Christie direction.
• Support the Senior Data Engineer to define and promote industry best practice coding and development standards for SQL Server.
• Communicate with NHS staff at all levels on business or clinical processes.
• Attend meetings for project delivery, change management, communications and operational management where required.
• Participate in the development of the data strategy ensuring the development and structures are suitable for the NHS within a horizon of five years.
• Engage with NHS-Digital and NHS England technical forums ensuring the Christie’s technical profile and staying current with the national agenda.
• Review new technical development tools, languages, methodologies and advise of potential opportunities to adopt where appropriate.
• Research and advise management on new technologies, tools and standards, assessing potential for enhancement of existing services.
• Provide peer review, mentoring, training and assistance for Data Engineers’ development.
• Ensure data solutions are optimally configured.
• Ensure data solutions systems and processes are monitored for performance and advise on architecture and hardware requirements as required.
• Create and define policies and procedures for data solutions development in association with the Data Engineering Lead and Senior Data Engineer.
• Ensure all knowledge base documentation associated with data solutions is kept up to date and frequently reviewed.

CORE SKILLS

• Responsible for line management of own team in line with appropriate policies, procedures, working practices and guidelines, ensuring all resources are deployed to maximise an efficient and effective delivery of support services to patients and users.
• Undertake and support the development of staff (if applicable) in line with personal development reviews and other associated guidance.
• Provide training for staff (if applicable) from own or other disciplines on own subject area, when required.
• On occasion the post holder may be required to work unsociable hours to support and/or enable the delivery of key programmes or projects.
• Provide regular performance reports on progress, status and achievements for own area to be used by both management and users.

• Ensure the robust management of financial resources allocated to own areas and make proposals to maximise those resources through budget setting, recharges, long term financial planning and cost saving opportunities.
• Be responsible for the safe use of ICT hardware and software, including installation, repair and maintenance.
• Monitor the maintenance and support contracts allocated to own area, ensuring continuity of service and budget management. Liaise with third party suppliers to identify and evaluate potential value for money contracts.
• Liaise with external agencies, suppliers and contractors ensuring delivery of service is in line with agreed contracts.
• Contribute to business appraisals and business case production when required in partnership with NHS stake holders. Undertake solution searches and appraisals of supplier proposals.
• Ensure Trust procurement processes and procedures are followed in a timely and efficient manner and participate in the procurement process where relevant, providing assistance for the development and assessment of procurement documentation as required.
• Ensure the post holder adheres to Trust Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs).

• Advise and participate in the development and implementation of projects, where required, ensuring Informatics provision of integrated solutions and user objectives are achieved.
• Ensure project tasks, where required, are successfully delivered in line with agreed timescales and budgets.
• Support the activities of project boards and project teams, when required, and making presentations, where required, to all levels of staff.
• Where required; lead work streams as part of projects for system implementations.
• Ensure any project management documentation or reports are delivered in line with agreed standards and timescales.

• Act as an ambassador for the Christie Informatics Service by developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with users across organisations to deliver a high quality, standard IT culture to achieve local requirements and national targets.
• Lead in the development and maintenance of a culture of service provision and continuous improvement for own areas.
• Be responsible for implementing policies for own work area and for proposing changes to policies, in line with legislation, Trust and NHS policies and guidelines across the Trust, where appropriate.
• Pro-actively participate in ensuring that Informatics services delivered within the Trust reflect best practice with respect to organisational, NHS and legislative requirements and guidelines including IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Data Protection Act (1998), Information Standards, Information Security and compliance with NHS Information Governance.
• Participate in Information Governance and security as required and ensure appropriate governance and security in own area.
• Participate in quality management system, undertaking audits designed to improve IT systems and services.
• Ensure change management is applied in own areas and follows implemented policies and procedures.
• Ensure all documentation relating to own area is complete and fit for purpose and all releases relating to hardware, software and documentation is controlled.
• Ensure there is a proactive and comprehensive approach to risk management and be responsible for service continuity for own area and participate in the Informatics service continuity planning.
• Provide Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for allocated incidents and problems as directed; instigating emergency action, when required, liaising with other Trust Managers, as appropriate.

• Contribute to the development, exercising, maintaining and reviewing of business continuity plans.
• Participate in the business impact analysis exercises highlighting critical business processes within own area.
• Be familiar with the Trust Business Continuity Plan and personal responsibilities within where applicable.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Degree in an analytical subject or demonstrable equivalent experience
• Related technical qualifications or demonstrable equivalent experience

• UK Council for Health Informatics Professionals registration or equivalent (UKCHIP)
• Agile development qualification
• Microsoft certifications/Equivalent technical qualifications.

Experience

• Track record of management/supervisory experience including managing staff development.
• Substantial experience of working in a complex and high dependency technical environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Substantial experience of SQL server database/data warehouse design, development and deployment in a large/complex organisation.
• Substantial experience of SQL server database administration, maintenance and support. Including the set up of non-production environments.
• Substantial experience of SQL server database migration, upgrade.
• Substantial experience of designing and implementing database security.
• Substantial experience of handling ETL issues and solutions across a range of systems.
• Substantial experience of working in a Data Engineering development role and proven experience in the analysis, design, development and support of Information and IT systems
• Creating new policies, procedures and system documentation relating to Data management.
• Substantial experience with Azure DevOps or other equivalent products.
• Substantial experience of software version control using Git.
• Substantial experience of defect management and structured approaches to resolution of issues.
• Substantial experience of working with testing model/automated testing.
• Experience of successfully managing a number of equally important tasks.
• Experience of Agile development methodologies.

• Developing, Deploying, Monitoring using Microsoft Azure services.
• Experience of noSQL databases
• Successful track record of achieving service improvements through initiating the use of new technologies and supporting the management of change
• Experience of processing and developing data interchange using XML/JSON.
• Experience of Python development
• Experience of Redgate tool set

Skills

• Highly advanced T-SQL development in Microsoft BI stack.
• Highly advanced SSIS development including writing script components/tasks in C#.
• Highly advanced SQL Server server administration.
• Performance Tuning
• Advanced database architecture and design.
• Data warehouse design and development.
• Advanced ability to influence staff at all levels to ensure that all members of the team including users and stakeholders own project objectives.
• Extensive ability to use own initiative, coach individuals and lead a team engendering enthusiasm and commitment.
• Ability to explain complex technical issues to a non-technical audience.
• Flexible, positive, resilient, methodical, team player.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to work to deadlines, prioritise and manage workload in a busy and changing environment.
• Strong problem-solving approach to live issue resolution.
• Able to learn new technologies and IT systems quickly through both self-study and professional courses.

• Application of essential skills within NHS environment.
• Ability to communicate with staff at all levels on complex business or clinical processes.
• Ability to build good collaborative relationships with clinical stakeholders.

Knowledge

• Substantial knowledge of database security principles.
• Substantial knowledge of the full software development life cycle.
• Knowledge of best practice in testing
• Knowledge of practical application of agile development methodologies.
• Knowledge of data warehouse design methodologies.
• Practical knowledge of data warehouse operational development and benefits realization.
• Advanced knowledge and practical experience of change management.

• Knowledge of the NHS data dictionary and standards.
• IT literacy in server and network infrastructure.

Values

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
• Travel to Christie managed sites as necessary.
• Ability to undertake work out-of-hours, on weekends and Public Holidays as required by exception.

The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.

We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy

All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.

Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.

The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.

You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.