Data Architect

The Guardian; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent news organization in the UK seeks a Data Architect to design and manage their Google Cloud-based data platform. The role involves optimizing data processes, collaborating with various teams, and championing DataOps practices. Ideal candidates should have extensive experience with modern data stacks and cloud environments. The position operates in a hybrid model of three days on-site and two days remote.

Benefits

30 days of annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Private healthcare

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience as a Data Architect with cloud-based environments.
• Previous experience in data platform engineering.
• Ability to articulate complex technical ideas in business terms.

Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end data architecture for GCP platform.
• Support data engineering with process improvements.
• Implement monitoring, alerting and logging strategies.

Skills

Data architecture design

Cloud-based environments

DataOps practices

Google Cloud Platform

AWS knowledge

Tools

Google BigQuery

Airflow

Terraform

Job description

Description

Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless investigative journalism and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists cutting-edge commercial professionals and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development with a focus on training growth and fostering an inclusive culture.

We are now looking for a Data Architect to join the Guardian News & Media (GNM) Group Technology & Data team. At GNM we see data as an asset that is critical for informing our business and driving performance. Data supports all areas of operations: informing our editors choices; supporting advertising revenue; and supporting our reader revenue teams to acquire more supporters and increase revenue per supporter.

The Data Architect will play a critical role in designing, implementing and managing our data management infrastructure ensuring it supports our strategic goals and operational needs specifically in relation to our Google Cloud (GCP) based data platform. You’ll work closely with our Technology Product and Engineering editorial reader revenues advertising and analytics teams to develop and optimise our data platform with solutions that drive our business forward and help embed a Data as a Product mindset within GNM.

About the Role

• End-to-end data architecture design evolving our existing GCP-based data platform architecture to meet strategic goals whilst enabling the platform to be scalable, robust and secure.
• Support the data engineering team with implementing architectural process or pattern changes, implementing monitoring, alerting and logging strategies for the data platform to ensure high reliability and quick incident response.
• Work with data governance, security and privacy teams to embed their requirements into solutions and repeatable data engineering patterns.
• Oversee and provide guidance to the data teams in implementing ETL processes using Terraform, dbt and Airflow to streamline data flow.
• Champion DataOps practices across the data team focusing on automated testing, continuous integration / continuous deployment (CI / CD) and monitoring for data pipelines and infrastructure.
• Continuously assess and improve the data architecture to enhance performance, scalability and security.

About You

• Demonstrable experience as a Data Architect with a track record of working with cloud-based data lake and data warehouse environments.
• Previous experience in data platform engineering including experience in GCP administration and management and knowledge of AWS.
• Expert knowledge of modern data stack in particular Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Google BigQuery (GBQ), Airflow and DBT or similar technologies for designing data ingestion / reporting transformations, optimisations and middleware interoperability.
• Ability to articulate complex technical ideas in easy-to-understand business terms.
• Demonstrated ability to assess needs of the relevant internal teams, creatively approach solutions, decide and influence appropriate courses of action.
• Experience of working with information security and data privacy and realising their requirements (e.g. data access, data retention, vulnerability management etc).

We operate in a hybrid environment working 3 days a week from our offices in Kings Cross and 2 days a week remotely.

We value and respect all differences (seen and unseen) in all people. We aspire to have inclusive working experiences and an environment that reflects the audience we serve where our people have equal access to career development opportunities, their voices are heard and can contribute to our future. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Many of our staff work flexibly and we will consider all requests for flexible working arrangements.

How to Apply

To apply please upload your latest CV and a cover letter which outlines why you’d love to take on this role and why you’re a great match for what we’re looking for.

We appreciate the time taken to prepare each application we receive. We do not use AI-assisted technology to review applications; every application is reviewed by a member of our recruitment team.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 7th October 2025.

All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application – this includes providing documents in accessible formats or personalising the process to better support your needs. Please contact Anna Vipers to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.

Benefits at the Guardian

You'll have 30 days of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days. Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age). We believe in giving back which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving. Season ticket loans are also available.

You are entitled to private healthcare, life cover, income protection and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance.

We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place. We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss and trans equality policy.

Culture and Wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status.

We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and addiction. We also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme.

Our canteen has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Learning and Development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.

Key Skills

Fund Management,Drafting,End User Support,Infrastructure,Airlines,Catia

Employment Type

Full-Time

Experience

years

Vacancy

1