Data Migration Specialist

London, UK

Permanent

• The Data Migration Specialist provides subject matter expertise, technical leadership, consultancy, and knowledge to define best practice data migration approaches and solution designs using industry-standard ETL (Extract-Transform-Load) methodologies.
• This role is crucial in ensuring the accurate and efficient transfer of data between repositories, maintaining the integrity and usability of information throughout the process. It requires a deep understanding of both source and destination targets, specific data structures, requirements, IT governance/compliance frameworks, and desired deliverables.
• A blend of technical skills, attention to detail, and clear communication is essential to coordinate with various stakeholders and ensure alignment with client’s data policies, goals, and timelines. The role also demands planning and task management skills, as they may be expected to work with agile/waterfall methodologies and ITIL principles to manage migrations within specified timeframes and business requirements.
• The Data Migration Specialist will execute unstructured data migrations lead a matrix team, conduct meetings, write documentation, and provide updates/reports as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive data migration plans under formal change control systems, ensuring seamless data transfer.
• Map and transform data from source to target systems, maintaining data integrity and accuracy.
• Collaborate with IT teams, external suppliers, and stakeholders to identify and resolve data migration issues.
• Execute migrations and verify data to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Coordinate with project, quality, security, and product/data owners to choose optimal data migration techniques and methodologies, adjusting as necessary to adhere to technology and tool restrictions.
• Maintain positive relationships throughout and beyond the project process.
• Identify risks that could impact successful migration.
• Analyze, document, and communicate migration details post-implementation to support continuous improvement.
• Deputize in the absence of the team lead.

Unstructured Data Migration Work in Scope:

• File System migrations
• File serving hardware platforms (e.g., Windows File Servers, NetApp)
• Document Management System (DMS) Migration
• Email Migration
• Managing data migration from external storage devices and physical media
• Managing data migration from Contract Research Organizations (CROs) with FTP/SFTP
• Managing data migration associated with RD In/Out licensing of assets with FTP/SFTP
• Infrastructure -related rehosting, refactoring, re-platforming, and retirement of remote file share environments
• File share standardization and file share service security models
• Cloud tenant migrations (Azure, Box, Dropbox, Google, AWS)
• Data quality, discovery, and integrity reporting

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field
• Experience in leading data migration projects
• Proficiency in various migration tools (e.g., Beyond Compare, ShareGate, RoboCopy, AZ Copy, 7-Zip)
• Proficiency with File & Secure File Transfer Protocol (FTP & SFTP)
• Understanding of computer systems & storage (e.g., Windows File systems, NetApp)
• Understanding of Active Directory, AD groups, and Windows security permissions
• Understanding of data integrity and security principles
• Familiarity with ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes
• ITIL certification
• Project/task management