Lead Data Modeller

Location: London / Hybrid
Contract: Permanent
Division: Merlin Technology
Reports to: VP Growth, Data & AI

Our Purpose

Bring joy, create connections, and make memories.

At Merlin Entertainments, our vision is to be the global leader in branded entertainment destinations and the greatest place to work and play.

The Opportunity

Merlin is undertaking a significant Digital and Data Transformation to enhance the end-to-end guest journey across our global portfolio of attractions.

As Lead Data Modeller, you will act as the guardian of Merlin’s common data language. Your role is to ensure that key metrics such as Guest, Visit and Revenue are defined consistently across the organisation, preventing fragmentation and conflicting interpretations.

This is a hybrid role combining deep data modelling expertise with strong analytical partnership. You will not only design and own the backend semantic logic, but also work closely with analysts and report builders to ensure complex data is presented clearly, accurately and consistently for reporting, Data Science and AI use cases.

Key Accountabilities

The Gold Standard

• Design and own the cross-group data model using dimensional and star schema approaches.

• Ensure the data model supports both historical reporting and future AI and Data Science needs.

Advisor to the Analyst Community

• Act as an internal consultant to analysts and report developers across the business.

• Advise on best practices for modelling, visualisation and performance in reporting tools.

• Bridge the gap between database engineering and business reporting.

Governance and Data Catalogue

• Implement and own the enterprise data catalogue using Databricks Unity Catalogue and Azure/Microsoft Fabric governance tooling.

• Produce clear documentation and data definitions, ensuring full lineage and transparency.

People Management and Community Leadership

• Line manage central “Hub” Data Analysts and Analytics Engineers.

• Provide functional leadership to “Spoke” BI and reporting analysts embedded in business teams.

• Lead the Data Community of Practice, approving definitions and certifying trusted “Gold” datasets.

Discovery and Mapping

• Trace existing reports back to source systems to understand data lineage.

• Map current-state data flows to identify and resolve inconsistencies across reporting.

Business Translation

• Facilitate workshops with business domains to agree and lock down definitions.

• Challenge assumptions and logic to drive alignment and a single source of truth.

Key Stakeholders

You will work closely with:

• Business and BI Analysts

• Principal Data Engineers

• Data Scientists

• Senior business stakeholders across Finance, Operations and Commercial teams

• The wider Data, Engineering, Science and Delivery community

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science or a related discipline.

• Typically 5–8 years’ experience in a data modelling or data architecture role, with leadership experience.

• Deep expertise in dimensional modelling (Kimball methodology).

• Strong experience with Databricks Unity Catalogue and Microsoft Fabric/Purview.

• Advanced capability in Power BI (including DAX and modelling) and Excel.

• Proven experience building a semantic layer in a complex, multi-site organisation.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional communication skills, with a passion for mentoring and teaching.

• Strong diplomatic skills, balancing technical rigour with business pragmatism.

• High attention to detail, with the ability to keep models usable and scalable.

• Comfortable operating at the intersection of data, analytics and business decision-making.

Leadership at Merlin

Our leaders are:

• Soulfully Curious: open-minded, inquisitive and eager to learn.

• Results Focused: accountable, outcome-driven and pragmatic.

• Extraordinary Teammates: collaborative, respectful and generous with knowledge.

• Developers of People: committed to coaching, growth and long-term capability building.

Life at Merlin

Our values shape how we work and how we treat one another:
We Care, Own Your Craft, Drive and Discover, Go Together, and Enjoy the Ride.

At Merlin, you’ll join a global organisation where your work has visible impact, your expertise is valued, and your development is supported.

We’re growing fast and alongside a fun and friendly environment, we offer a fabulous package and amazing prospects – ideal if you’re already fantastic and want to become even better (our magic can help here). Benefits include Pension, Life Assurance, discretionary company bonus, 33 days’ holiday including bank holidays, a Merlin Magic Pass which gives you and your friends and family free admission to all of our attractions worldwide, an Enjoy the Ride pass which entitles you and 5 loved ones unlimited entry into your regional attractions, 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants and 40% discount on LEGO, plus lots more!