Data Architect

Digital Skills ltd; Exeter; On-site; GBP 166,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Digital Skills ltd in Exeter is looking for a Data Platform Architect to lead the design and delivery of an enterprise-scale Snowflake data platform. This contract role focuses on architecture, governance, security, and long-term platform strategy, with onboarding onsite in Exeter and occasional visits thereafter.

The ideal candidate will have proven Snowflake implementations, strong stakeholder management, and experience shaping modern data ecosystems within a large, regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Experience building Snowflake data platforms from ground up.
• Ability to define governance frameworks and security controls.
• Proven leadership in architecture for large, regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and implementation of Snowflake data platform.
• Define governance, security, and platform standards.
• Establish operating models across the organisation.

Skills

Snowflake

Data Platform Architecture

Governance

Security

Operating models

Stakeholder management

Cloud strategy

Enterprise-scale design

SC Clearance

Tools

Snowflake

SnowPro Certification

Job description

Data Platform Architect | Snowflake | SC Cleared

• Exeter (Onboarding onsite, then approximately one day per month)
• Initial 6-Month Contract

We're supporting a major programme seeking an experienced Data Platform Architect to lead the design and delivery of an enterprise-scale Snowflake data platform.

This opportunity is suited to someone who has successfully implemented Snowflake platforms from the ground up and can provide expert guidance on architecture, governance, security, operating models, and long-term platform strategy. This is a genuine architecture role, not a data engineering position.

You'll work with senior stakeholders, data teams, and cloud specialists to establish a scalable, secure, and high-performing Snowflake capability within a complex enterprise environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and implementation of a Snowflake data platform.
• Define governance frameworks, security controls, and platform standards.
• Establish best practices and operating models across the organisation.
• Provide architectural leadership across data and cloud initiatives.
• Drive platform optimisation, scalability, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders to align platform capabilities with organisational objectives.
• Apply lessons learned from previous Snowflake implementations to shape a successful platform strategy.
• Proven experience in a Data Platform Architect, Data Architect, or similar architecture-focused role.
• Strong track record designing and delivering enterprise-scale Snowflake platforms.
• Experience establishing Snowflake environments from initial setup through to operational maturity.
• Deep knowledge of Snowflake architecture, administration, configuration, and optimisation.
• Experience defining governance, security, and operating models for modern data platforms.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working within large, complex organisations.
• SnowPro Certification or other Snowflake accreditations.
• Experience in public sector, government, or highly regulated environments.
• Knowledge of wider cloud data platforms and modern data ecosystems.

Requirements

Candidates must hold active SC Clearance that is transferable and be able to attend onboarding in Exeter, with occasional onsite visits thereafter.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Snowflake specialist who combines strategic architectural thinking with hands-on implementation experience and wants to play a key role in shaping a major data platform programme.