Senior Manager – AI & Data, Databricks, Financial Services, Belfast

Senior Manager – Data Engineering – Databricks

Location: Belfast | Sector: Financial Services

The opportunity

The EY Financial Services AI & Data Consulting practice is investing in a new scaled Belfast team to develop unique advisory propositions aligned to fast evolving market needs and demand. We are looking for an exceptional Senior Manager to lead on developing our Data Engineering solutions for this team with an initial focus on Databricks. This senior role requires an individual with an exceptional track record of delivering data transformation programs and team building in Financial Services. Joining the Belfast EY AI & Data team in this exciting period of growth will offer a huge variety of opportunity to make a tangible impact on our clients’ businesses, to develop junior colleagues and to advance your own career.

Core Areas of Expertise

• Data Engineering and Architecture – focusing on next‑generation data solution architecture design and implementation
• Data Management & Strategy – supporting our clients with Data Strategy, Data Governance, Analytics Target Operating Model Design and wider Data Office and CDO support functions
• Advanced Analytics – designing, building and integrating Machine Learning and AI solutions into core business platforms and processes to drive greater insight and process efficiency.

Your key responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to data engineers and analysts across Financial Services domains such as Risk, Trading, and Compliance.
• Lead the design and implementation of scalable data architecture solutions using Databricks on Azure.
• Architect and optimise data pipelines for structured and unstructured financial data, ensuring performance, reliability and compliance.
• Standing up and operationalising Databricks platforms, including workspace setup, cluster configuration and CI/CD integration.
• Lead and execute large‑scale lift‑and‑shift data migrations from legacy platforms to Databricks, ensuring minimal disruption and high data fidelity.
• Drive adoption of Delta Lake, Apache Spark and MLflow for advanced analytics and machine learning use cases.
• Lead performance tuning, cost optimisation and security hardening of Databricks on Azure.
• Establish best practices for data governance, lineage and metadata management within the Databricks environment.
• Translate business needs into robust data products that support real‑time decision‑making and predictive modelling.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to align data architecture with financial regulations (e.g. GDPR, Basel III, MiFID II).
• Business development, including the development of long‑term trusted advisor relationships with clients. Support RFP responses and thought‑leadership initiatives.

Qualifications

• A track record of delivering large Databricks data transformations and possession of appropriate Databricks industry certifications.
• A deep understanding of Financial Services to develop the right AI, Data and Analytics solutions to meet their needs.
• Experience building high‑performing teams with exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Deep understanding of emerging technology trends, including cloud‑based technologies and advanced data technologies, with a clear perspective on the market direction.
• Ability to successfully deliver across multiple engagements, exceed client expectations, manage commercial aspects and oversee quality and risk.
• Ability to engage with senior stakeholders and manage large cross‑functional projects.
• Intellectual strength and flexibility to rapidly understand complex problems and rationalise them into workable solutions.
• Exceptional storytelling, communication, presentation, business writing and professional skills, including liaising with both technical and business contacts at clients.
• Previous consulting experience will be greatly valued.
• A university degree, 2:1 (or equivalent) or above is usually preferred, but outstanding candidates following an alternative academic path will be considered.

Benefits

• Support, coaching and feedback from highly engaging colleagues.
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career.
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you.

#J-18808-Ljbffr…