Data Architect / Canonical Data Model Lead

International Schools Partnership; Greater London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A global education organization in Greater London is seeking a Data Architect to own and define the enterprise data architecture. This role involves establishing a Canonical Data Model and ensuring data integrity across multiple platforms. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in enterprise data architecture, strong skills in canonical modelling, and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. This position promises a chance to impact data integration and governance within the organization.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Health and wellbeing benefits

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years enterprise data architecture experience.
• Experience with modern data platforms and integration patterns.
• Strong communication with business and engineering audiences.

Responsibilities

• Own ISP’s enterprise data architecture and define structural backbone for data.
• Establish consistent entity structures and governed mappings.
• Define and maintain canonical data model for priority domains.

Skills

enterprise data architecture experience

canonical modelling background

communication with business and engineering audiences

systems thinking

pragmatic architecture

Job description

Overview

ISP Data Architect / Canonical Data Model (CDM) Lead – Role Profile

Purpose of Role

Own ISP’s enterprise data architecture and Canonical Data Model (CDM), defining the structural backbone for how data is represented, integrated, mastered, and consumed across ISP.

This role establishes consistent entity structures, governed source-to-canonical mappings, identity resolution standards, and repeatable data movement patterns into the Unified Data Spine.

The role prevents re-fragmentation, enables certified KPIs, and underpins the Unified Student Profile (USP) and Unified Customer/Household Profile (UCP).

Scope & Complexity

• Enterprise-wide, multi-country environment
• Operates across ERP, HRIS, SIS, CRM, EdTech, Finance, Learning and regional platforms
• Acts as enterprise authority for canonical modelling and data architecture standards
• Balances architectural integrity with pragmatic delivery

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Data Architect / Canonical Data Model (CDM) Lead — Key Responsibilities

Canonical Data Model Ownership

• Define and maintain the enterprise CDM for priority domains
• Own entity, attribute, relationship, and hierarchy standards
• Maintain canonical definitions catalogue
• Ensure CDM aligns to business language and KPI semantics

Source-to-Canonical Mapping & Transformation

• Define SoR mapping principles
• Approve source-to-canonical mappings
• Define transformation and enrichment patterns
• Prevent bespoke enterprise data models

Identity Resolution Architecture (with MDM Lead)

• Define matching, linking, and hierarchy logic
• Define identifier strategy (natural vs surrogate keys)
• Ensure alignment between identity architecture and survivorship rules

Data Architecture Patterns

• Define reference patterns for:
• Ingestion
• Transformation
• Semantic modelling
• Lineage & metadata
• Access control

Governance & Gating

• Review designs through Design Authority
• Approve canonical model changes via Data Governance Council
• Enforce "no bespoke data models" principle
• Enablement & Adoption
• Provide patterns, templates and guidance to engineering teams
• Partner with BI Product Owner on semantic layer alignment
• Partner with Cyber Security & Privacy Manager on secure data design

Decision Rights

• Approve canonical model changes
• Approve source-to-canonical mappings
• Define reference data architecture patterns
• Reject non-compliant designs

Key Responsibilities (Day-to-Day)

• Maintain CDM artefacts and catalogue
• Maintain SoR inventory
• Maintain identity resolution standards
• Support programme delivery with architectural input
• Provide governance input to Design Authority and programme gating

Key Deliverables (First 6 Months)

• CDM v1 for priority domains
• Definitions catalogue
• Source-to-canonical mappings for Wave 1 systems
• Identity resolution architecture document
• Data movement pattern catalogue
• Reference semantic layer model

Success Measures / KPIs

• % priority datasets using CDM
• Reduction in duplicate entity definitions
• Faster onboarding of new data sources
• Improved KPI consistency

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• 8-10+ years enterprise data architecture experience
• Strong canonical modelling background
• Experience with modern data platforms and integration patterns
• Strong communication with business and engineering audiences
• Systems thinking
• Pragmatic architecture
• Clear documentation
• Influence without authority

Safeguarding & Diversity Commitments

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.