Enterprise Data Architect

Real; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 132,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Real is seeking an experienced Data Architect for a leading university undergoing a data and insights transformation. This contract role focuses on shaping the data architecture strategy, governance foundations, and guidance across a complex technology landscape.

The successful candidate will collaborate with technical and business stakeholders, delivering architecture artefacts, modelling standards, and a roadmap for data governance and insights delivery. Remote working is available.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Data Architect in large, complex organisations.
• Strong background developing enterprise data architecture frameworks and standards.
• Experience designing and documenting data models, data flows, and integrations.
• Knowledge of data governance, data quality, and master data management.

Responsibilities

• Lead data architecture activities across transformation programmes and projects.
• Produce architecture artefacts, standards, and documentation.
• Design and document data flows, integration patterns, and system mappings.
• Review and assure solution and integration designs.
• Support data governance frameworks and operating models.
• Facilitate architecture workshops and stakeholder engagement.
• Identify, manage, and communicate risks and dependencies.
• Support governance forums and reporting to boards.
• Align with university architecture principles and governance processes.
• Present updates to Architecture Boards and senior stakeholders.
• Provide knowledge transfer and handover to permanent Data Architect.

Skills

Data architecture

Enterprise data modelling

Data governance

Stakeholder management

Architecture workshops

Cloud platforms

Tools

Data modelling tools

Architecture frameworks

Job description

Overview

We are working with a leading university undergoing a significant data and insights transformation programme and are looking to engage an experienced Data Architect on an initial 3-month contract.

This role will play a key part in shaping the institution's data architecture strategy, supporting multiple programmes of work, and helping establish the foundations for long-term data governance, architecture, and insight capabilities.

The successful candidate will work closely with technical and business stakeholders, providing architectural leadership, governance support, and strategic guidance across a complex technology landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead data architecture activities across multiple transformation programmes and projects.
• Produce high-quality architecture artefacts, standards, and documentation.
• Design and document data flows, integration patterns, and system mappings.
• Review and assure solution and integration designs.
• Support the development of data governance frameworks and operating models.
• Facilitate architecture workshops, design sessions, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Identify, manage, and communicate risks, issues, dependencies, and mitigation plans.
• Support programme delivery planning and sequencing through governance forums including Moderation Boards and Planning Boards.
• Ensure alignment with university architecture principles, standards, and governance processes.
• Present updates and recommendations to Architecture Boards, Technical Design Authorities, and senior stakeholders.
• Provide structured knowledge transfer and handover to the permanent Data Architect.

Key Deliverables

• Data architecture artefacts and supporting documentation.
• Architecture assurance outputs for key programmes and projects.
• Reviewed solution architecture and integration design documentation.
• Documented data flows and system mappings.
• Contributions to the development of a data governance operating model.
• Data modelling standards and best practice guidance.
• Support with establishing a Data Authority function.
• Data & Insights roadmap and delivery timelines.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication plans.
• Risk, issue, dependency, and mitigation reporting.Updates to architecture repositories and documentation libraries.
• Knowledge transfer sessions and handover documentation.
• Regular progress reporting to programme leadership and governance boards.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience working as a Data Architect within large, complex organisations.
• Strong background developing enterprise data architecture frameworks and standards.
• Experience designing and documenting data models, data flows, and integrations.
• Knowledge of data governance, data quality, and master data management principles.
• Experience supporting architecture governance and assurance processes.Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience facilitating workshops and driving consensus across multiple teams.
• Ability to work independently and deliver at pace within a transformation environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within Higher Education or the public sector.
• Understanding of university governance structures and decision-making processes.
• Exposure to enterprise architecture frameworks and modern cloud-based data platforms.
• Experience supporting Data & Insights transformation programmes.

Data Architect (Contract)

Location: Remote

Duration: Initial 3-Month Contract

Day Rate: £600- £700

Start Date: Mid Sep

IR35: Outside