Senior Data Architect

Senior Data Architect Overview

A leading digital transformation and technology organization is seeking a Senior Data Architect to join its expanding Data & AI practice. This role presents an opportunity for a seasoned data architecture professional with experience in the UK Healthcare or Public Sector to take on a senior technical leadership position. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with clients to tackle complex data challenges, define effective architecture strategies, and ensure that data solutions are scalable, secure, and fit for purpose.

The Data Architect Manager will serve as a Subject Matter Expert in Data Architecture, providing technical direction across intricate data programs and assisting clients in making informed decisions regarding their data strategy, architecture, and technology landscape. Responsibilities will encompass both project and enterprise-level architecture, which may include designing data structures and flows, resolving data ownership and definition issues, establishing governance frameworks, and helping organizations develop a cohesive data strategy amidst complex stakeholder environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design of robust and scalable data architectures across complex transformation programs.
• Provide specialist guidance on data modelling, data structures, data flows, data sourcing, data transformation, data migration, and master data.
• Translate business and technical requirements into practical data architecture solutions.
• Assess existing data environments and identify opportunities for improvement, modernization, and optimization.
• Provide architecture assurance throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring solutions meet business, technical, and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and promote data architecture standards, patterns, methodologies, and best practices.
• Support the resolution of complex data definition, ownership, mastering, and information-management challenges.
• Contribute to solution-level and enterprise data architecture decisions where required.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate data technologies and products based on client requirements.

Client Consulting & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work directly with clients to understand their data challenges, requirements, and strategic objectives.
• Build effective relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior decision-makers.
• Communicate complex data architecture concepts clearly to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Provide independent advice and thought leadership on data architecture, technology, and emerging industry practices.
• Facilitate discussions and workshops to help clients establish clear data strategies and architectural direction.
• Act as a trusted advisor, challenging assumptions and helping clients make informed technology decisions.

Data Governance & Strategy

• Help organizations establish effective data governance frameworks, processes, and controls.
• Support the definition of information-handling models across heterogeneous data environments.
• Address data quality, ownership, metadata, and master-data challenges.
• Contribute to capacity planning and architectural decision-making across multiple data-storage technologies.
• Assist clients in developing sustainable approaches to managing data throughout its lifecycle.

Modern Data Platforms

• Design and assure solutions across modern data-platform environments.
• Contribute to data lake architecture and solutions operating within data lake ecosystems.
• Assess different approaches to data storage, integration, processing, and analytics.
• Maintain awareness of emerging cloud, data platform, analytics, and AI technologies and their practical application within enterprise environments.

People Leadership & Development

• Manage, coach, and develop a small team of data professionals.
• Support individual performance, career planning, and professional development.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior and experienced members of the wider data community.
• Create an environment that encourages knowledge sharing, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Help strengthen organizational data architecture capability through the development of standards, reusable approaches, and technical expertise.

What They’re Looking For

The ideal candidate will possess substantial experience in Data Architecture, along with strong client-facing and technical leadership skills. Candidates should have:

• Professional experience within the UK Healthcare or Public Sector.
• Strong technical expertise across data modelling, data analysis, metadata management, data transformation, data migration, and master data.
• A proven track record of providing technical leadership across data projects and programs.
• Experience providing architecture assurance, mentoring, and defining technical standards.
• Strong knowledge of recognized data architecture methodologies, patterns, and best practices.
• Experience selecting data products and technologies at project or enterprise level.
• Demonstrable ability to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Confidence in providing technical thought leadership to clients and internal teams.
• Strong knowledge of at least three mainstream data technologies, along with an understanding of wider developments within the data technology landscape.
• A proactive approach and the ability to operate effectively when requirements, priorities, or technical environments are uncertain.
• Previous experience managing, coaching, or developing junior data professionals.

Desirable Experience

Experience in the following areas would be advantageous:

• Defining information-handling models across heterogeneous data-storage technologies.
• Capacity planning across complex data environments.
• Establishing and embedding data governance processes and frameworks.
• Designing and implementing data lake architectures.
• Working with solutions built within modern data lake ecosystems.
• Enterprise-level Data Architecture and strategic data planning.
• Experience within highly regulated, complex, or large-scale public-sector environments.
• Awareness of modern cloud data platforms and emerging Data & AI technologies.

Degree Requirement: Not Specified

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