Lead Data Architect

Tesco Insurance; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK insurance provider is seeking a Lead Data Architect to drive data architecture for transformative change. This role involves overseeing a new data platform and championing data standards across the company. Strong skills in data architecture, leadership experience, and expertise with technologies like IBM Infosphere are required. Hybrid working available, based in Scotland.

Benefits

Colleague pension scheme

Private Healthcare and Virtual GP

Performance related annual bonus

Generous holiday allowance

Colleague Clubcard benefit

Green Car Leasing Scheme

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• Expertise in Data Architecture and Data Management.
• Experience managing architecture governance.
• Strong technical skills with preferred tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic architecture plans and solutions.
• Ensure appropriate prioritization of data features.
• Document current and future processes for migration.
• Implement security measures and ensure compliance.
• Manage a diverse team and oversee data management.

Skills

Data Architecture

Data Modelling

Data Management

IBM Infosphere Server

Datastage

SAS

COGNOS

Cloud Infrastructure

Job description

Overview

Opportunity: Lead Data Architect to join our Technology Function at Tesco Insurance and Money Services, reporting into the Head of Data and AI Services. As the lead for the data architecture domain, you will enable transformational change, drive impactful business outcomes, and unlock opportunities through data. You will oversee the delivery of a new data platform, work with internal teams, external partners, and key stakeholders, and champion the data agenda across Tesco Insurance and Money Services. You will drive adoption of modern data standards, architectural patterns, and emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning. You will ensure that Data Architects, Solution Architects, and Engineers follow established architecture principles and practices, and provide oversight to third-party services to align with our data architecture standards. This role is known as Data Architect Lead internally.

Location: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Reigate, London or Newcastle. Work Level: 2 Permanent role. Hybrid working with an expectation to travel to our office 2 days per week. Closing Date for applications: 20 October 2025.

The Role

• Developing a strategic architecture plan: designing, implementing, and evolving robust and effectively aligned architecture solutions that operate in our business ecosystem.
• Ensuring data features are prioritised appropriately, estimates are reliable, benefits realized, and design activities are monitored and tracked to meet the overall architecture plan.
• Documenting complex "as is" and "to be" processes, describing the changes required to migrate to the "to be" capability, including analysis of "As Is" and "To Be".
• Horizon Scanning.
• Application Software Development.
• Developing existing and new applications by analysing and identifying areas for modification and improvements.
• Developing new applications to meet customer requirements.
• Business Requirements Identification – using data models to support business education, research, requirements, and designs.
• Information Security - implementing and providing input on the design of required security measures.
• Operational Compliance.
• Development and performance management for a substantial and diverse team.
• Data Management - managing key aspects of the data management system.

What’s required (min exp)

• Subject matter expertise in Data Architecture, Data Modelling and Data Management.
• Experience of managing aspects of architecture governance and contributing to data governance.
• Experience of Data & Process Mapping within a regulated organisation.
• Strong data & technical skills (IBM Infosphere Server, Datastage, SAS, COGNOS preferred).
• Leadership experience.
• Robust understanding of cloud infrastructure.

What’s in it for you?

• Prepare for your retirement with our colleague pension scheme.
• Private Healthcare & Virtual GP Service for you and your family 365 days a year. Plus Critical Illness cover.
• Performance related annual bonus.
• Generous holiday allowance with a minimum of 7.2 weeks, with the opportunity to buy more.
• Colleague Clubcard benefit: 10% discount, increasing to 15% every payday (worth up to £2K). A second card is provided to share with someone else.
• Green Car Leasing Scheme.
• Family-oriented initiatives, including enhanced maternity leave pay, shared parental leave policy, and a generous 8-week paid paternity leave.
• Buy as you Earn and Save as you Earn share schemes.

Everyone’s welcome

We want all colleagues to feel welcome and be themselves. We’re committed to building a more inclusive workplace and celebrating diversity, which helps us deliver our purpose to serve customers, communities, and planet a little better every day.

Additional Information

We support flexible working opportunities and encourage discussions about part-time and flexible arrangements at interview. Interviews commence October 2025.

How to apply

We value our people and diverse teams. If you’re interested in a career at Tesco Insurance and Money Services, click apply to find out more. Our colleagues work in a hybrid model, with in-office moments that matter like team catch ups and planning meetings.