Director, Tech & Innovations (Data Engineering)
Own the modern data stack and build the foundations for predictive marketing intelligence
We usually respond within a week
What you will do
Partner with Growth, Client Services, Strategy, and Marketing Science teams during pre-sales and discovery phases
Translate complex client data ecosystems (CRM, CDPs, data warehouses) into clear technical integration plans
Design approaches to unify CRM data, platform data (GA4, Google Ads, Meta), and offline conversion datasets
Define data requirements, architecture diagrams, dashboard wireframes, and effort estimates for new engagements
Own the end-to-end architecture across ingestion (Funnel.io), warehousing (BigQuery), and transformation (Dataform dbt)
Collaborate with existing data partners to continue building and evolving the current foundation
Define scalable frameworks for integrating media, CRM, and first-party customer datasets
Establish industry best practices for data modelling, pipeline orchestration, and warehouse design.
Ensure the proprietary platform (Salient) remains reliable, scalable, and AI-ready
Oversee and contribute to the building of robust pipelines using Python for ETL and automation.
Manage client CRM and warehouse connections via APIs, SFTP, and reverse ETL where required
Guide the team on implementing scalable ingestion patterns for all future data sources
Lead the design of Dataform dbt models that successfully unify marketing performance and customer data
Ensure KPI frameworks align across media performance (ROAS, CPA) and customer metrics (LTV, CAC, cohort performance
Define modular and reusable transformation layers to ensure multi-client scalability
Implement rigorous testing, validation, and lineage practices across all transformation layers
Own the governance frameworks for naming conventions, schema design, and access controls
Establish automated QA processes and documentation standards across all pipelines and models
Mentor Data and Analytics Engineers, setting the standard for coding and modelling excellence
Lead the feedback loop between Data Engineering and Marketing Science to ensure data needs are met
Identify opportunities to improve pipeline performance, cost efficiency, and AI activation
Requirements
Advanced experience in data engineering and architecture design in a performance marketing environment is essential
Strong hands-on experience with BigQuery, Dataform dbt, and Funnel.io (or similar ingestion platforms)
Proven experience integrating CRM and 1st-party systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, SAP, or custom warehouses
Experience designing multi-source data models that combine marketing and customer data
Proven experience working in client-facing or consulting environments
Ability to translate abstract business problems into concrete technical data solutions
Skilled in project scoping, including requirements gathering and effort estimation
Practical experience with AI LLMs, ideally Claude and Gemini
Familiarity with Reverse ETL tools like Hightouch or Census
Knowledge of identity resolution and customer data modelling
Experience with BI tools such as Looker or Power BI and exposure to ML/predictive workflows
Comfortable owning ambiguity within complex client data environments
Passionate about unlocking the value of first-party data to drive customer intelligence
Diversity & Inclusion
Journey Further takes pride in creating an environment where everyone can be themselves. This starts with recruitment.
We pledge to make our roles as open as possible and to provide equal opportunities to everyone that is kind enough to give us their time. All recruitment decisions we take will be based solely on the positive skills and behaviours that applicants display and absolutely nothing else.
We do not discriminate based on any personal characteristic, we are a people first agency and we care about and celebrate individuals.
If something is important to you, it's important to us. If you have a particular need during the application process or during your time at Journey Further, please let us know.
- Department
- Strategy & Insight
- Locations
- London
- Yearly salary
- £80,000 - £95,000
- Employment type
- Full-time
London
Perks & Benefits
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Flexibility
We understand that everyone works differently, so we provide them the freedom to work how they want, when they want and where they want. No role is ever fully remote as we want people to be spending time with one another in person – however, we will support you in making sure you are supported in what ways of working suit you best.
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Experience
Work alongside one of the most experienced digital teams in the industry, and collaborate directly with clients at some of the world’s largest brands and high-growth startups.
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Wellbeing
We actively care for our team’s physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
We run various company initiatives to help promote physical wellbeing – yoga, running club, 5-a-side football to name a few.
We believe in taking a proactive approach when it comes to all our people’s mental wellbeing. As such we have partnered with experts from Vitality as well as trained Mental Health First Aiders, who our people can turn to in times of need
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Trust
We believe in giving ambitious people incredible autonomy in their work. You’ll have the freedom to tackle complex problems and the support of some of the talented people in the industry to do so.
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Learning
Through our Learn Together sessions, Book Club and Podcast, we learn from the best minds in the world and apply the most valuable insight to the work we do and how we run the business.
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CSR
CSR is a key priority for the business. We’re currently working on how we can make a lasting, positive impact on the world around us.
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Benefits
Our benefits package is constantly evolving. In the UK it currently includes:
- Pension matched up to 4%
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Private medical insurance
- Personal health fund
- Home working allowance
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and Christmas shutdown
- Unlimited unpaid holiday
In the US it currently includes:
- 401k matching
- Subsidized Medical, Dental & Vision
Company Life Insurance - Enhanced Maternity & Paternity cover
- Flexible and Remote working
- 19 days paid time off plus 12 federal holidays & office closure between Christmas and New Year.
- 1 additional day for observing a cultural, religious, or a personally meaningful occasion of their choice
- Unpaid time off
About Journey Further
Journey Further is a performance marketing agency working with the world's leading brands and fast-growth start-ups. We blend strategic thinking, creativity, digital channels and experimentation taking brands beyond performance.