Data Architecture and Migration Specialist - MHCLG - G7

Manchester Digital; London; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK government initiative is seeking a Data Architecture and Migration Specialist to lead data migration efforts and define data architecture. This role involves working with complex datasets, SAP structures, and ensuring data integrity. Ideal candidates should have strong analytical skills, experience in IT and data architecture, and excellent communication abilities. This is an opportunity to contribute to significant digital transformation efforts across government operations.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in data migration across complex, multi-system environments.
• Strong understanding of SAP data structures and ETL processes.
• Experience with data governance frameworks and GDPR compliance.
• Ability to work with large datasets and perform data profiling.
• Experience with SQL, data integration tools, and scripting languages.

Responsibilities

• Define the retained data architecture for MHCLG and ALBs.
• Lead data migration plans, ensuring data integrity and completeness.
• Assess legacy data landscapes and design extraction strategies.
• Manage data transformation rules for legacy to Unity formats.
• Collaborate to ensure migrated data supports reporting needs.

Skills

Data architecture

Data migration

SQL

Python

SAP data structures

Data governance frameworks

Stakeholder engagement

Data profiling

ETL processes

Tools

PowerShell

Cloud platforms (Azure, AWS)

Data integration tools

Job description

Data Architecture and Migration Specialist - MHCLG - G7

Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we’re all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you’re thinking of joining us, there’s never been a more exciting time.

We have over 3,500 staff who are based in 20 offices across the UK.

The Data Migration Specialist is a critical role within the UNITY Programme. The UNITY Cluster is a cross-departmental UK government initiative involving HMRC, the Department for Transport (DfT), and MHCLG. Its goal is to modernise and unify back-office operations specifically finance, procurement, HR, and payroll - through a shared cloud-based ERP platform powered by SAP and delivered in partnership with Deloitte. The UNITY Cluster represents a significant digital transformation effort, impacting over 100,000 civil servants and aligning with theShared Services Strategy.

The successful candidate will be responsible for enabling seamless, secure, and accurate data transition across the organisation as part of a wider end-to-end transformation. We welcome candidates from a range of backgrounds—whether your experience lies in IT, data architecture, business analysis, or transformation. What matters most is your ability to work with complex datasets, understand business and user needs, and lead structured, risk-aware migration planning and execution.

You’ll bring strong analytical skills, a detail-oriented mindset, and the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a programme that is reimagining how data underpins decision-making, service delivery, and organisational performance.

We particularly welcome candidates from an ethnic minority background and other underrepresented groups to apply, as we work to continually improve our ability to represent the places and communities we support through our work.

As the Data Architecture and Migration Specialist, you’ll:

• Define the retained data architecture for MHCLG and ALBs transitioning into Unity systems
• Lead the development and execution of data migration plans, ensuring data integrity, completeness, and auditability
• Assess legacy data landscapes and design extraction strategies for each data source
• Define and manage data transformation rules to map legacy formats to Unity-compliant formats
• Establish and maintain a centralised data catalogue and data lineage documentation
• Collaborate with MI leads to ensure migrated data supports reporting and performance dashboards
• Support cutover planning and execution, including rollback strategies and contingency planning

Person specification

As the Data Architecture and Migration Specialist, you’ll have:

• Proven experience in data migration across complex, multi-system environments
• A strong understanding of SAP data structures, ETL processes, and data quality management
• Experience with data governance frameworks and GDPR compliance
• The ability to work with large datasets and perform data profiling, cleansing, and transformation
• Experience with SQL, data integration tools, and scripting languages (e.g. Python, PowerShell)
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g. Azure, AWS) and enterprise systems (e.g. ERP, CRM)
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences
• The ability to manage risks and dependencies associated with data migration activities