Data Architect

Anson McCade Pty; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Generous pension

Share ownership

Training budget

Job summary

Anson McCade Pty is seeking a Data Architect to lead the design and delivery of high-impact data and AI transformation programmes for global clients, operating in a hybrid UK setting. Active DV clearance is mandatory.

You will own end-to-end data platform architecture, guide multi-cloud delivery, mentor engineers, and engage with senior stakeholders to translate complex business problems into scalable, secure solutions.

Qualifications

• DV clearance is mandatory and must be active.
• Strong hands-on data background with delivery leadership.
• Ability to operate both strategically and technically.
• Excellent client-facing communication and stakeholder management.
• Experience with multi-cloud data platforms and AI-enabled delivery.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end data platform architecture including governance and security.
• Lead data and AI transformation strategy for complex programmes.
• Translate business problems into scalable technical solutions.
• Provide technical direction and leadership of delivery teams.
• Manage client relationships, bids and thought leadership.
• Coach and develop engineers and architects.

Skills

Data architecture

Leadership

Client-facing communication

Cloud data platforms

AI/ML awareness

Tools

Databricks

Snowflake

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

Data Architect – Data & AI Transformation

You must hold current DV (Developed Vetting) clearance. This is a non-negotiable requirement — applications without active DV will not be considered.

Our Client is a global technology and consulting business, bringing together strategists, engineers, designers, scientists and technologists to solve complex problems across defence, government, energy, health, financial services, transport and more.

Their Digital & Data team helps clients turn ambitious ideas into working, scalable solutions. We’re now looking for a Data Architect to lead the design and delivery of high-impact data and AI transformation programmes.

The role

You’ll be the technical lead on complex, client-facing data programmes — defining the end-to-end data blueprint and making the calls that turn business ambition into secure, resilient, scalable architecture.

This is hands-on leadership, not just slides and strategy. You’ll work closely with engineering teams, product and design specialists, and senior client stakeholders.

You’ll own:

• End-to-end data platform architecture: ingestion, integration, orchestration, governance, security, observability and cost optimisation
• Data and AI transformation strategy for complex client programmes
• Translation of ambiguous business problems into practical, scalable technical solutions
• Technical direction and leadership of delivery teams
• Client relationships, bids, opportunity development and thought leadership
• Coaching and development of engineers and architects around you

Tech environment

We’re technology agnostic, right tool, right problem. You’ll architect across a broad, modern stack, with exposure to:

• Multi-cloud platforms: AWS, Azure and GCP
• Modern data platforms: Databricks, Snowflake, data warehouses and data lakes
• Data ingestion, integration and orchestration tooling
• Programming and scripting languages
• ML/AI frameworks and AI-enabled delivery
• Infrastructure, DevOps and platform engineering practices
• BI, analytics, semantic models and metrics layers
• Data governance tooling

What we’re looking for

• Current DV clearance — essential. No exceptions.
• Strong hands-on data background, with experience leading engineering teams through delivery
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and technical levels
• Strong client-facing communication — you can challenge, influence and simplify
• A solid view on how AI is changing both data solutions and how they’re delivered
• Experience across major cloud and data platforms
• Relevant cloud or methodology certifications are useful, but evidence of delivery matters more

Location & package

• Based in Manchester or London, hybrid working
• Typically two days per week in office or on client site, though some assignments may require more client presence
• Circa £100,000, plus annual performance bonus
• 25 days holiday plus an extra half day at Christmas, with the option to buy five more
• Private healthcare, generous pension and share ownership
• Training budget, certifications and a strong internal technical community