Data Architect

Loop Recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Cloud-first architecture

Job summary

Loop Recruitment is partnering with a leading insurer to hire a Data Architect who will own enterprise data architecture and drive a modern Lakehouse platform on Databricks. You will shape standards, data modelling, governance and secure data sharing across the organisation.

The role requires designing end-to-end architecture, collaborating with Engineering, Data and Solution Architecture teams, and mentoring delivery squads on best practices for data architecture.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Data Architect within enterprise environments.
• Strong experience designing modern cloud data platforms using Databricks and Azure.
• Excellent data modelling skills (conceptual, logical and physical).
• Strong SQL, relational database and JSON knowledge.
• Experience designing enterprise integration patterns and REST APIs.
• Knowledge of metadata, lineage, governance and data quality frameworks.
• Experience with architecture and modelling tools such as Erwin, Sparx EA or similar.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence both business and technical teams.
• Experience within Insurance or the Lloyd's Market would be highly beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Designing conceptual, logical and physical data models across enterprise systems.
• Owning the end-to-end architecture of a Databricks Lakehouse platform.
• Defining enterprise data architecture principles, standards and reusable patterns.
• Designing modern data integration, storage and data sharing solutions.
• Shaping future-state architecture and simplifying legacy data estates.
• Defining governance, metadata, lineage, security and data quality standards.
• Working closely with engineering and delivery teams to ensure architecture is implemented effectively.
• Collaborating with business stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable data solutions.
• Supporting solution governance, architecture reviews and technical decision making.
• Mentoring engineers and delivery teams on data architecture best practice.

Skills

Databricks

Azure

Data modelling

SQL

JSON

REST APIs

Erwin

Sparx EA

Stakeholder management

Insurance domain

Tools

Databricks

Azure

Erwin

Sparx EA

Job description

Data Architect | Leading Insurance Brand | Manchester

Location: Manchester (Hybrid)

We're partnering with a leading global insurer that's investing heavily in its enterprise data platform and modern cloud architecture. With a company-wide data transformation underway, this is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of data across the business.

This is a high-impact Data Architect position where you'll own the design and evolution of enterprise data architecture, helping build a modern Lakehouse platform on Databricks while driving best practice across data modelling, governance and integration.

If you enjoy solving complex data challenges, defining enterprise standards and influencing architecture at scale, this is a genuinely exciting opportunity.

The Role

You'll take ownership of enterprise-wide data architecture, working closely with Engineering, Business Analysis, Data and Solution Architecture teams to design scalable, secure and well-governed data solutions that support strategic decision making across the organisation.].

Key Responsibilities

• Designing conceptual, logical and physical data models across enterprise systems
• Owning the end-to-end architecture of a Databricks Lakehouse platform
• Defining enterprise data architecture principles, standards and reusable patterns
• Designing modern data integration, storage and data sharing solutions
• Shaping future-state architecture and simplifying legacy data estates
• Defining governance, metadata, lineage, security and data quality standards
• Working closely with engineering and delivery teams to ensure architecture is implemented effectively
• Collaborating with business stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable data solutions
• Supporting solution governance, architecture reviews and technical decision making
• Mentoring engineers and delivery teams on data architecture best practice

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience as a Data Architect within enterprise environments
• Strong experience designing modern cloud data platforms using Databricks and Azure
• Excellent data modelling skills (conceptual, logical and physical)
• Strong SQL, relational database and JSON knowledge
• Experience designing enterprise integration patterns and REST APIs
• Knowledge of metadata, lineage, governance and data quality frameworks
• Experience with architecture and modelling tools such as Erwin, Sparx EA or similar
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence both business and technical teams
• Experience within Insurance or the Lloyd's Market would be highly beneficial

The Environment

• Engineering-led culture with significant investment in modern data platforms
• Enterprise Databricks Lakehouse architecture
• Collaborative cross-functional teams across Engineering, Data and Architecture
• Flexible hybrid working
• Opportunity to shape enterprise-wide data strategy and standards
• Modern cloud-native technology stack built around Azure and Databricks

This role would suit someone who enjoys thinking strategically, defining enterprise architecture and building scalable data platforms that enable better business decisions across a complex organisation.