Data Architect

AQA Recruiting; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35-hour week

Hybrid work

Leave 25/30 days

Pension 11.5%

Job summary

AQA is seeking a Data Architect in Manchester to help build our data architecture capability within Assessment Technology. You will define data models, dictionaries and flows to support learners, schools and colleges across complex systems.

You will collaborate with stakeholders across product and technical teams to translate capabilities into data requirements, govern data and ensure secure, compliant handling, with exposure to Microsoft Azure and a hybrid two-days-per-week in-office pattern.

Qualifications

• Strong technical data thinking with clear communication and stakeholder influence.
• Experience producing data models, dictionaries and data flows.
• Ability to translate complex data into business language.
• Knowledge of data governance frameworks, standards and retention.

Responsibilities

• Create and shape data architecture artefacts (models, dictionaries, data flows).
• Translate business capabilities into data requirements across stakeholders.
• Contribute to data standards, policies and governance.
• Collaborate with Solution Architects and Product Managers to deliver data roadmap.
• Ensure data security and retention per regulations.

Skills

Data architecture

Data modeling

Data governance

Stakeholder communication

Architecture documentation

Education

Computing degree or equivalent

BCS accreditation

Tools

Azure

Job description

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Data Architect Permanent Manchester: £72,000 - £80,000 Milton Keynes: £75,000 - £80,000 Working Arrangements; Hybrid - two days per week in the office

Introduction

AQA is looking for a Data Architect to help build our data architecture capability in Assessment Technology. This is a chance to join at an important stage, helping shape how data is understood, modelled, governed and used across complex assessment systems that support learners, schools and colleges.

Key Responsibilities

• Creating and shaping data architecture artefacts, including data models, data dictionaries and data flow diagrams that help teams understand how data is created, moved, transformed and used.
• Working with project, product, technical and business stakeholders to translate business capabilities into practical data requirements and explain complex data decisions in clear, accessible language.
• Supporting data strategy and governance by contributing to standards, policies and procedures, while helping teams make secure, consistent and well-informed data decisions.

What We Are Looking For

You will thrive in this role if you can combine strong technical data thinking with clear communication, curiosity and the confidence to influence decisions across business and technology teams. Experience producing and using architecture artefacts such as data models, data dictionaries, data flows or similar documentation, with the ability to understand, describe and connect domain-level data across systems or products. The ability to translate complex technical information into business-focused language and shape technical direction from business needs across a variety of stakeholder. A data architecture background is ideal, but adjacent experience in data engineering, solution or technical architecture with awareness of data governance frameworks, standards, policies and procedures, and clear architectural lens may also be suitable.

What's in It for You

This role gives you scope to influence how data architecture develops at AQA, while working on varied and meaningful technology change. You will work across a broad data landscape, including operational data, analytical data, insight, AI and machine-learning enabled opportunities. You will play a key role in change connected to reform, digital exams and future-facing data capability. You will gain exposure to a Microsoft and Azure environment, while applying architecture concepts that transfer across cloud platforms.

• A 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working
• 25 days' annual leave (rising to 30)
• plus Christmas closure days
• Excellent pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution)

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Applications close on Sunday 27th September.

Full Job Description Summary Purpose

To be responsible for defining, understanding and articulating the large amount of varying data available across Assessment Technology with the overall objective to provide all stakeholders with a view of data that meets their needs. Landscape: The Architecture and Innovation Department reports to the Director of Assessment Technology and are responsible for scoping and integration of solutions into the next generation of assessment delivery. As a member of the Architecture and Innovation team, you will report to the Head of Architecture and Innovation to help shape and deliver the overall data strategy for Assessment Technology.

Activities

Contribute towards the policies, guidelines and standards that make up the data strategy developing and maintaining them in line with business drivers and goals to establish robust and flexible controls.

Engage with operational, product and technical stakeholders to gain a good understanding of their different data requirements.

Model, describe and visualise the data models across the assessment technology estate to bring to life the data dependencies across all systems and products.

Working with Solution Architects and Product Managers to produce a data roadmap that delivers the overall data strategy.

Actively assess the whole landscape looking for opportunities where changes in data management, transformation etc... that would result in business process improvements.

Provide appropriate levels of documentation to support architectural designs.

Work with Solution Architects and development teams to ensure the domain data models are delivered as per the approved designs.

Ensure data is secured and that data is retained for the approved retention periods.

Collaborate with the Data Protection Officer and Security teams to ensure data is stored, managed, used and disposed of properly and in accordance with all regulatory requirements.

Be an influencer of innovation and change across the AQA group.

Develop business process models and flows with the aim of explaining how data is created, distributed and transformed across the whole estate.

Provide governance around data integrity.

Support the learning and development of other team members by mentoring and coaching.

Effectively manage risks in changes to production, carefully consider and take a balanced view on changes.

Provide product support when needed.

To be successful in this role, you will need to:

• Demonstrate expert knowledge, in ways of understanding and explaining the domain level data to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent understanding of domain driven design and how such architectural concepts affect data and consistency.
• Demonstrate a pro-active approach to communication.
• Have a can-do attitude with the ability to manage your own time
• Be inquisitive and eager to research and learn new and emerging technologies and methodologies.
• Be a strong team player.
• Qualifications: Computing degree or equivalent level of business computing experience and/or Professional accreditation (BCS etc.)
• Experience in managing and understanding domain level data models.
• Skills: Logical thinker, able to diagnose, troubleshoot and coordinate resolution of complex issues in a pressured environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to engage with colleagues and customers at all levels, whether technical or otherwise coupled with ability to sell and communicate ideas clearly to a wide range of stakeholders at differing levels of seniority and technical expertise.
• Ability to identify business objectives and form innovative potential solutions, supported by competent arguments.
• Proven ability to produce and maintain effective documentation.
• Persuades and influences both internal and external networks.
• Resilient and able to work under pressure in a fast-moving change environment.
• Solid commercial acumen
• Provide architectural leadership, driving solution implementations through to successful delivery.
• Good knowledge of different type of data storage technologies, with appreciation of what use cases fit best to each technology.
• Experience: Proven experience of understanding, and transforming discrete service domain data models into a cohesive multi-service model.
• Experience of managing data across products and microservice based architectures.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in the role, please contact the recruiter named in the vacancy advert or your interview correspondence. They will work with you to ensure the appropriate support is in place and that the process is as accessible and equitable as possible. If you're unsure who your recruiter is, or can't reach them, contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at [e-mail] or 07813 724161, and she'll direct you to the right person. Please note that Faye cannot assist with temporary vacancy enquiries or non-recruitment matters. For temporary vacancies, contact [e-mail].

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision-making and impact. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 or 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk.

For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here.

Contact

Temporary roles: [e-mail]

Permanent and Fixed Term roles: [e-mail]

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