Enterprise Data Architect

MAG (Airports Group); Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

10% company contribution pension

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Free parking

Subsidised public transport

A wide range of company discounts

Two volunteering days each year

Free Virtual GP service, available 24/

Care Concierge service

Job summary

MAG is seeking an experienced Enterprise Data Architect to shape MAG’s operational data model and data governance across airport and Group technology. You will balance strategic thinking with hands-on model development, working with architects, engineers and stakeholders to deliver scalable data capabilities.

You will focus on run-time data consumption, data semantics and ensuring safe AI tool integration within the enterprise data framework.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering enterprise logical and physical data models.
• Strong knowledge of data management, consumption and governance.
• Understanding of data lineage, ownership, stewardship, quality, security and retention.
• Experience with semantic data layers and AI data usage guidance.
• Ability to translate business needs into effective data solutions.

Responsibilities

• Build and extend MAG’s enterprise data model across domains.
• Align data models with industry standards such as ACRIS where relevant.
• Develop a semantic data layer for safe AI data consumption.
• Collaborate with delivery teams to provide context and meaning of data.
• Lead data model governance forums and define data strategy.

Skills

Enterprise data architecture

Data modelling

Data governance

Semantic data layer

AI data understanding

Data integration

Job description

Job description:

Summary

Enterprise Data Architect

Permanent

Hybrid ( Manchester Airport )

Why MAG?

At MAG, we provide the airport facilities and travel services that people need to connect with the world. As the largest UK-owned airport operator, we serve over 66 million passengers a year from Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports. With more than 270 destinations across the globe, our businesses bring people together and support the prosperity of the regions in which we operate. Sustainability is one of our core values and shapes everything we do. We’re committed to protecting the environment, supporting our local communities and creating inclusive environments in which our people can thrive. We are the Journey Makers. We’re one big team, on a journey of growth, making a real impact.

Join our Group Technology function and you’ll help shape the data foundations behind the systems and services that keep our airports moving. You’ll also have access to Grade 4a benefits including:

• Bonus scheme


• 10% company contribution pension


• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays


• Free parking


• Subsidised public transport


• A wide range of company discounts


• Two volunteering days each year


• Free Virtual GP service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week


• Care Concierge service

The role

We’re looking for an experienced Enterprise Data Architect to help develop MAG’s operational data model and shape how data is managed, understood and consumed across our airport and Group technologies. This is a role for someone who can combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery. You’ll work in the detail of logical and physical data models and definitions, partnering with development teams, solution architects and integration engineers. You’ll also help set the technical direction for operational data and create a semantic data layer that enables AI tools to understand and interpret MAG’s data safely and effectively. The focus is on run-time data consumption and data semantics rather than analytics and reporting. You’ll join the Enterprise Architecture team within the Office of the CTO and report to the Head of Enterprise Architecture. The role has been reshaped to place a stronger emphasis on execution, giving you the opportunity to turn an established conceptual framework into practical, scalable data capabilities.

Key accountabilities

• Build and extend MAG’s logical and physical enterprise data model, working from the existing conceptual framework of data domains, entities and relationships.


• Align the data model with relevant industry standards, including ACRIS, where appropriate.


• Develop a semantic data layer that supports safe, meaningful consumption of data by AI tools.


• Work with delivery teams to understand data sources and give data consumers a clear view of the context and meaning of the information they use.


• Provide data modelling and architecture expertise across airport and Group technology projects.


• Help develop MAG’s data consumption and management strategy, tooling and technical direction, then lead its implementation.


• Run MAG’s Enterprise Data Model Forum, providing an effective authority for proposed changes to the model.


• Represent data considerations within the Solution Design Authority and other technology governance forums.


• Strengthen data management practices covering lineage, ownership, stewardship, quality, security, retention, precedence rules and Master Data Management

What will make you successful in the role?

You’ll bring experience working as an enterprise-level data architect, with evidence of developing and delivering data models in a complex organisation. You’ll be comfortable moving between architecture and practical model development. You’ll enjoy working collaboratively with technical teams while also giving stakeholders clear, confident guidance on data strategy and governance. You’ll ideally have:

• Experience delivering enterprise logical and physical data models.


• Strong knowledge of data management, consumption and governance.


• A clear understanding of data lineage, ownership, stewardship, quality, security and retention.


• Experience adapting or extending industry-standard data models.


• Knowledge of technologies and third‑party tools used to manage and provide access to data.


• An understanding of semantic data layers and how they can support accurate, responsible use of data by AI tools.


• Knowledge of data integration techniques, data warehousing and business intelligence technologies.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn business needs into effective data solutions.


• The communication and stakeholder‑management skills to explain complex data concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.


• Experience contributing to an Enterprise Data Model Forum or a similar data‑governance structure.

Equal Opportunities and Reasonable Adjustments

We’re building something brilliant at MAG: a diverse team of Journey Makers who share our values and want to make a difference. We’re on a mission to be number one in our industry, and that takes talent in all its forms. Whether this is your first role or your next big step, we want to hear from you, even if you don’t think you tick every box. What matters most is what you bring. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, just let us know. We’re committed to helping you perform at your best. At MAG, every journey matters. Our Colleague Communities include Women’s Network, Embrace, Fly with Pride, Mind Matters, PACT and RespectABILITY.