Data Architect - Data Retention & Deletion

Sanderson Government & Defence; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanderson Government & Defence seeks an experienced Data Retention & Deletion Architect to lead the development and implementation of retention, deletion and governance capabilities across a large-scale data modernisation programme. You will align with architecture, product, compliance and governance teams to embed lifecycle controls in Databricks and cloud environments.

This role focuses on scalable strategies, retention registers, metadata standards and auditable controls, ensuring compliant

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Data Architecture or Information Lifecycle Management.
• Hands-on data retention, deletion and archival strategy design.
• Knowledge of regulatory and governance requirements around data lifecycle.
• Experience designing operating models, governance frameworks and controls.
• Experience with Databricks and cloud environments.
• Strong stakeholder management across architecture, engineering, product and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the enterprise Data Retention & Deletion strategy and governance framework.
• Establish approaches covering retention, archiving, lifecycle management and deletion requirements.
• Validate retention and deletion use cases and platform capabilities.
• Identify gaps, risks and recommendations to support future-state implementation.
• Design operating model processes, retention registers, metadata standards and patterns.
• Embed lifecycle and governance controls across data products and platforms.
• Lead data deletion and remediation across legacy, regulatory and programme demands.
• Ensure auditability, assurance and compliance across retention/deletion activity.

Skills

Data Architecture

Data Governance

Lifecycle Management

Databricks

Cloud Environments

Tools

Databricks

Cloud Platforms

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Data Retention & Deletion Architect to lead the development and implementation of a Data Retention & Deletion capability within a large-scale data modernisation programme.

The role will support the transition to a future operating model and modernised data estate, with a focus on establishing scalable retention, deletion and governance processes across data products and platforms.

You will work across architecture, product, compliance and governance teams to ensure data is retained, archived and deleted in line with business, regulatory and operational requirements, while embedding lifecycle controls into future-state platforms including Databricks and cloud-based environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the enterprise Data Retention & Deletion strategy, standards and governance framework.
• Establish approaches covering data retention, archiving, lifecycle management and deletion requirements.
• Validate retention and deletion use cases, business requirements and platform capabilities.
• Identify gaps, risks and recommendations to support future-state implementation.
• Design and establish operating model processes, retention registers, metadata standards and reusable design patterns.
• Embed lifecycle and governance controls consistently across data products and platforms.
• Lead and oversee data deletion and remediation activity across legacy, regulatory and programme-driven requirements.
• Ensure appropriate auditability, assurance and compliance across retention and deletion activity.
• Work closely with product teams, data architects, compliance and governance stakeholders.
• Ensure retention and deletion requirements are embedded into wider data modernisation, Databricks and cloud migration initiatives.

Key Experience

• Strong experience across Data Architecture, Data Governance or Information Lifecycle Management.
• Hands-on experience defining data retention, deletion and archival strategies.
• Good understanding of regulatory, compliance and governance requirements around data lifecycle management.
• Experience designing operating models, governance frameworks, standards and controls.
• Experience working with modern data platforms, ideally including Databricks and cloud environments.
• Strong understanding of metadata, data classification, retention registers and lifecycle controls.
• Experience working across legacy remediation and data modernisation programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management across architecture, engineering, product, governance and compliance functions.

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.