Enterprise Data Architect

SF Recruitment; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SF Recruitment in Birmingham is supporting a large, complex organisation with a critical hire for an Enterprise Data Architect. This is a senior, strategic role, not focused solely on building data models or reporting solutions.

You will define where data sits and how it moves, establish target-state architecture, and implement standards and guardrails. Your collaboration with architects, product teams and stakeholders will ensure alignment and AI readiness across the business.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Enterprise or Lead Data Architect in a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of data flows, integration patterns and system interactions.
• Proven track record reducing fragmented or point-to-point architectures.
• Knowledge of data governance, MDM and data ownership models.
• Ability to define clear, practical standards and frameworks.
• Proactive, self-directed approach to set direction.

Responsibilities

• Define and map the enterprise data landscape and its usage.
• Establish a clear target-state data architecture aligned with business and technology strategy.
• Reduce complexity by moving away from point-to-point integrations towards scalable, standardised approaches.
• Define and implement data architecture principles, standards, and guardrails.
• Collaborate with architects, product teams, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment.
• Act as the go-to authority for data across the organisation.
• Support the business in becoming AI-ready through robust data foundations.

Skills

Enterprise Data Architecture

Data governance

MDM

Data integration

Data strategy

Job description

We are supporting a large, complex organisation with a critical hire for an Enterprise Data Architect.

This is not a conventional data architecture role focused on reporting or data warehouses.

Instead, this position sits at the heart of the organisation, aiming to bring clarity, structure, and control to how data exists and flows across the business.

You will take ownership of defining where data resides, how it moves between systems, and how it should be standardised to support operational decision-making and future AI capabilities.

The Role

• Define and map the enterprise data landscape - understanding where data sits, how it flows, and how it is used
• Establish a clear target-state data architecture aligned with business and technology strategy
• Reduce complexity by moving away from point-to-point integrations towards scalable, standardised approaches
• Define and implement data architecture principles, standards, and guardrails
• Collaborate closely with architects, product teams, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment
• Act as the go-to authority for data across the organisation
• Support the business in becoming AI-ready through robust data foundations

What We're Looking For

This is a senior, strategic role. We are not seeking someone focused solely on building data models or reporting solutions.

You will bring:

• Experience operating as an Enterprise or Lead Data Architect within a complex organisation
• Strong understanding of data flows, integration patterns, and system interactions
• Proven experience in reducing fragmented or point-to-point architectures
• Knowledge of data governance, Master Data Management (MDM), and data ownership models
• Ability to define clear, practical standards and frameworks
• A proactive, self-directed approach - someone who can set direction rather than wait for it

Why This Role?

• High-impact position with visibility across the entire business
• Opportunity to shape enterprise data architecture from the ground up
• Direct influence on reducing cost, complexity, and improving scalability
• A chance to become the trusted authority on data within a large organisation