Data Architect

The Christie NHS FT; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer treatment center in Manchester is looking for an experienced Data Architect to lead the development of data management architecture. This role involves working on data pipelines and supporting various data initiatives. The ideal candidate should have a Master's degree, significant experience in modern data platforms, and skills in Python. The position offers a fixed term of 24 months with a salary range of £55,690 to £62,682 per year along with flexible working options.

Qualifications

• In-depth experience with a mainstream modern data platform.
• Working with large relational datasets.
• Experience with unstructured data.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and development of architecture for data sets.
• Design and implement data warehouse solutions.
• Promote data integrity and governance.

Skills

Teamwork

Independent working ability

Python programming

Education

Masters’ degree or equivalent

Microsoft Certifications

Tools

Azure DevOps

Data warehouse solutions

Job description

Job Summary

Working within the Data Engineering team that delivers and maintains data transfer pipelines between clinical/operational source systems and the Christie Central Data Repository (CCDR), we are seeking an experienced Data Architect with strong data modelling expertise and extensive experience on modern mainstream data platforms. The role supports the Data Engineering modernization programme and the Joint Analytics for Cancer initiative.

The post is a 24‑month fixed term, flexible to mix home and office with one office visit per week. Previous NHS or healthcare experience is not essential.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for planning, design, and delivery of Data Management architecture and associated products and services. The post holder will:

• Lead the planning and development of architecture, tools and resources for high‑variety, volume and velocity data sets.
• Provide specialist advice on data ingestion, orchestration, modelling, data mining, cloud services and the development of unstructured health related data sets.
• Design and implement data warehouse solutions and data lakes/warehousing.
• Advises on the acquisition of diverse data sets from internal and external sources.
• Automate and schedule extraction and processing of large data sets across distributed platforms.
• Support trust software development with data‑driven services and enterprise data architecture.
• Promote data integrity, governance and documentation, ensuring change control processes are in place.
• Tutor colleagues in scripting, modelling and platform techniques.
• Act as a specialist on data integration and enterprise data architecture.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and trust requirements, including policies, standing orders and procedures.

Additional responsibilities include responding to urgent demands, remediation support, root cause analysis and delivery of business intelligence and visualization platforms.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60 000 patients a year in Manchester and across Greater Manchester & Cheshire. As a national specialist, 15 % of patients are referred from across the country. We provide world‑class radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and diagnostic services, and lead international cancer research.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Masters’ degree or equivalent qualification and/or relevant experience.
• Microsoft Certifications.

Experience

• In‑depth experience with a mainstream modern data platform.
• Working with large relational datasets.
• Implementation of data warehouse solutions.
• Experience with unstructured data.
• Delivery of business intelligence and visualisation platforms/tools.
• NHS experience.
• Working with Azure DevOps and database projects.

Skills

• Teamwork and independent working ability.
• Ability to work under pressure, meeting deadlines and prioritising workload.
• Experience with Python programming language.

Knowledge

• Specialist understanding and application of data architecture principles and strategy.
• Understanding of cloud data management platforms and services.
• Experience with distributed data processing, agile methodology and DevOps.

Values

• Demonstrate the organisation’s values and behaviours.

Other

• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development.
• Travel to Christie managed sites as necessary.
• Ability to undertake work out‑of‑hours, weekends and public holidays as required.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Contract and Details

• Contract: Fixed term – 24 months.
• Working pattern: Full‑time.
• Location: Business Intelligence & Software Development – E00413.
• Reference number: 413‑101337‑FB‑AK.
• Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year, pro‑rata.