Head of Engineering - Data

Our Purpose 

At Xero, we’re here to help you supercharge your business. We do this by automating routine tasks, surfacing actionable insights and connecting businesses with the right data, advisors and apps. When that happens, we’re not only making life better for small business, we’ll be building a stronger economy that can change the world.

The team 

The Data team at Xero plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of collaborative, data-driven decision-making. Our work impacts not only our internal teams but also our diverse global community of small business owners, bookkeepers, and accountants.

We design, develop, and maintain a wide range of data services, from essential reporting and data sets to advanced analytical processing, storage, machine learning, and API-driven predictive services. Our team leads the way in data architecture, data modelling, AI service design, and ethical data usage.

As a team, we’re passionate about making data and AI accessible across Xero, ensuring our product management and engineering teams are equipped with the tools and knowledge to drive meaningful impact. Collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do.

The role 

As the Head of Engineering - Data, you’ll lead and inspire a team of 45-50 talented engineers, with direct leadership responsibility for 4 Engineering Managers. Reporting to the GM - Data, you will play a key role in shaping and executing the data strategy, ensuring alignment with Xero’s broader product and engineering goals.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and mentor engineering managers, fostering a high-performance culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.Ensure your team is aware and aligned with the Xero engineering standards, compliance and best practices  ensuring your teams are aligned to Xero’s product and engineering strategic objectives and priorities.
• Work closely with the Data Leadership team to manage delivery risks and ensure consistency in how we build and ship data solutions.
• Define and implement engineering best practices, ensuring teams adhere to Xero’s compliance, security, and technical standards.
• Partner with architecture and engineering leaders to design and develop scalable data platforms and solutions.
• Champion automation, documentation, and collaboration across the engineering workflow, driving efficiencies and innovation.
• Lead initiatives to enhance data quality, measurement, and governance, ensuring data remains a trusted and valuable asset for the organisation.

What you’ll bring with you:

• Extensive practical experience in data platforms, engineering and modelling.
• Experience being a leader of leaders
• Proven ability to plan and implement strategic change, while getting buy-in from stakeholders
• Knowledgeable in modern product principles and practices
• Data and technical background demonstrating innovation, initiative and a passion for data
• The ability to navigate areas of conflict, cascading information appropriately through all levels of the organisation

Why Xero? 

Offering very generous paid leave to use however you’d like (plus statutory holidays!), dedicated paid leave to care for your physical and mental wellbeing as well as an Employee Assistance Program to access mental health care for you and your family, health insurance, life insurance, and income protection, wellbeing and sports programmes, employee resource groups, 26 weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers, an Employee Share Plan, beautiful offices, flexible working, career development, and many other benefits that reflect our human value, you’ll do the best work of your life at Xero.