Data Infrastructure and Design Architect

City of Wolverhampton Council; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Study support for professional exams

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Job summary

West Midlands Pension Fund is recruiting a Data Infrastructure and Design Architect to shape the enterprise information capability. You will lead the development of practical data architecture, ensuring information is designed, documented and governed throughout its lifecycle.

The role focuses on data models, lineage, metadata and system-of-record definitions, with collaboration across Pension Operations, Systems and BI teams. Hybrid working is offered in Wolverhampton.

Qualifications

• Experience in data architecture, information modelling, data lineage or metadata management within a complex systems environment.
• Strong understanding of information governance, UK GDPR and data quality principles.
• Experience documenting complex information flows and translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Designing and maintaining the Fund’s information architecture, including data models, data lineage, metadata and system-of-record definitions.
• Creating end-to-end information flow maps across pension administration, reporting, workflows and supplier interfaces.
• Supporting system, reporting and business change by providing specialist data architecture expertise.
• Developing data standards, dictionaries and governance documentation to improve consistency and reporting confidence.
• Working closely with Pension Operations, Employer Services, Systems, Business Intelligence and external suppliers to ensure data implications are understood before change is implemented.
• Leading and developing the Information Architecture & Design team, promoting high-quality customer-focused services.
• Supporting audit, regulatory assurance, business continuity and information governance through robust architecture documentation and controls.
• Driving continuous improvement by reducing manual processes, strengthening data quality and improving operational resilience.

Skills

Data architecture

Information governance

Data modelling

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring teams

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Data Infrastructure and Design Architect

£54,143 - £58,602

Full Time (Hybrid)

Do you have a passion for data architecture and the ability to turn complex information into clear, trusted and well-governed solutions? If so, we may have the role for you.

The West Midlands Pension Fund is seeking a Data Infrastructure and Design Architect to help shape the Fund’s enterprise information capability. This is a specialist leadership role that will design and maintain the information architecture underpinning pension administration, reporting, analytics and operational services, ensuring data is secure, resilient and fit for the future.

About WMPF

WMPF is one of the UK’s largest pension funds providing local authority pension benefits for employees across the West Midlands. We manage and administer the pension interests of over 330,000 scheme members, 800+ employers and currently have over £22 billion in assets under management.

Our modern offices are based at the i9 Building in Wolverhampton, with excellent transport links by car, bus, train and tram. We offer flexible hybrid working alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking culture.

What the day will look like

Reporting to the Head of Data and Information, you will lead the development of the Fund’s practical data architecture, ensuring information is designed, documented and governed throughout its lifecycle.

• Designing and maintaining the Fund’s information architecture, including data models, data lineage, metadata and system-of-record definitions.
• Creating end-to-end information flow maps across pension administration, reporting, workflows and supplier interfaces.
• Supporting system, reporting and business change by providing specialist data architecture expertise.
• Developing data standards, dictionaries and governance documentation to improve consistency and reporting confidence.
• Working closely with Pension Operations, Employer Services, Systems, Business Intelligence and external suppliers to ensure data implications are understood before change is implemented.
• Leading and developing the Information Architecture & Design team, promoting high-quality customer-focused services.
• Supporting audit, regulatory assurance, business continuity and information governance through robust architecture documentation and controls.
• Driving continuous improvement by reducing manual processes, strengthening data quality and improving operational resilience.

About you

We’re looking for a methodical and collaborative data professional who enjoys solving complex information challenges and influencing positive change across an organisation.

You will have:

• Experience in data architecture, information modelling, data lineage or metadata management within a complex systems environment.
• A strong understanding of information governance, UK GDPR and data quality principles.
• Experience documenting complex information flows and translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience leading or mentoring teams and working collaboratively across operational and technical services.
• A degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience, with a commitment to continuous professional development.

Why choose the West Midlands Pension Fund?

You will receive a generous holiday entitlement (starting with 26 days a year plus bank holidays). We usually work two days a week in the office and three from home.

We have a modern office environment that offers a relaxed working atmosphere with study and breakout areas, meeting rooms and kitchens with free tea and coffee making facilities. There are also cloakrooms, bike stores, showers and lockers available.

Other benefits whilst working for the fund include the employee awards scheme and on-the-job development where you will be provided with comprehensive study support for professional exams, formal education & structured training and the potential to advance within a growing organisation.

Working at the fund is a great way to start or develop your career and will give you the opportunity to explore, question and collaborate. You will build your skills and knowledge but also a network where everyone is here to help support you learn and develop in a place where you can thrive both professionally and personally making a shared impact.

We are delighted to have been accredited PASA, Investors in People, customer service excellence and we have Bronze Organisational Membership with the British Dyslexia Association and are working towards their Smart Award, which further underlines our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

How we support our colleagues

In addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we encourage a diverse workforce. Plus, our agile, inclusive environment allows you to manage your wellbeing and work/life balance. You also have 24-hour access to an employee assistance programme.

For more information, please email [e-mail].

For full details of the responsibilities and requirements of this role please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Our working arrangements

All council roles are allocated to either a fixed, field or flexible work style. Some roles are agile which enable and empower employees to maximise their performance and productivity, whilst maintaining a healthy work life balance. Roles with a fixed workstyle work in a fixed permanent council location. Roles with a field workstyle are usually allocated where employees are required to be out working in the community with a minimum requirement for 'touch down' space at any council location. Roles with a flexible workstyle have a flexible base location to meet the needs of the business and employees can work from a mixture of home or any council office, partner/client, or external location, as required to meet service requirements.

Please refer to the Job Description for further information on the workstyle assigned to the role you are applying for.

For more information about working for our organisation including the culture of the Council, the Council plan and vision, staff equality forums, core HR policies, employee benefits and much more.

Diversity

We are committed to building a workforce that is reflective of the diverse community we serve. We want to attract the best applications from people of all backgrounds and underrepresented groups because we strongly believe in adding value through diversity, inclusion, and equality. Our employees enable us to deliver services that are accessible, inclusive, and reflective of Wolverhampton residents.

Our status as a Disability Confident Employer showcases our commitment to people with disabilities or health conditions, advocating for their opportunities and potential.

We've received the Stonewall Gold Award, emphasising our dedication to the LGBT+ community by nurturing an inspiring, inclusive, and equal workplace.

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the essential criteria for the post.

We encourage, inspire and value an inclusive culture here at the council where employees can flourish, thrive and be themselves. We have four staff equality forums for employees to join. These help to ensure our employees have a voice, they feel empowered to speak up and where everyone is treated with respect - Learn more about the staff equality forums

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

We arecommittedto the fair treatment of all our employees, potential employees, or users of our service regardless of offending background. The Council uses the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for any vacancies that require a DBS check to obtain information about applicants to assess their suitability for employment in positions of trust. We do not discriminate unfairly against anyindividualon the basis of a conviction or any other information revealed as a result of a DBS disclosure

Employment Information & Support

If you are considering applying for an apprenticeship or a role where the salary is (Grade 2-5), and would like to visit us to learn about the application, interview process and what it is like to work for the council.

Attached documents

Accreditiations and memberships (5).pdf

Data Infrastructure and Design Architect JD.pdf