Lead Data Architect

Inspire People; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension (non-contributory)

Private medical insurance

Dental cover

Season ticket loan

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Bank of England is seeking a Data Architect to shape data structure, governance and usage across the organisation. You will lead architecture from strategy to implementation, working with stakeholders, solution architects and engineers.

This senior, hands-on role combines technical data architecture with leadership and people management, influencing major decisions and guiding delivery to production, with a team of three architects and modern data tools.

Qualifications

• Senior data architect with enterprise-scale experience and governance expertise.
• Ability to produce conceptual and logical data models, data flows and interfaces.
• Experience defining enterprise data architecture principles, standards and roadmaps.
• Strong stakeholder communication and governance leadership.
• Hands-on architecture coupled with people management and delivery support.

Responsibilities

• Lead data architecture from strategy through to implementation.
• Influence governance and settle architectural decisions with stakeholders.
• Manage a small team of architects and work with data, engineering and business teams.
• Advocate use of Azure Databricks, Unity Catalog and Microsoft Purview.

Skills

Data modelling

Data governance

Stakeholder leadership

Architectural leadership

Communication

Tools

Azure Databricks

Unity Catalog

Microsoft Purview

TOGAF

Sparx Enterprise Architect

Job description

Influence data architecture behind some of the Bank of England's most important technology and data transformation programmes.

The Bank is seeking a Data Architect with strong data modelling and governance experience, alongside the ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead architectural work from strategy through to implementation. Based in Leeds or London, the role offers a salary of up to £90,360 based upon location, 8% benefits allowance and a non-contributory pension. Permanent role.

About the role

Working within the Bank of England's Technology Strategy and Architecture division, you will help shape how data is structured, governed and used across the organisation. You will lead data architecture from initial strategy and requirements through to implementation, working with business stakeholders, solution architects, engineers and wider data teams.

This is a senior, hands-on role combining technical data architecture with stakeholder leadership and people management. You will influence key architectural decisions, support the use of technologies such as Azure Databricks, Unity Catalog and Microsoft Purview, and lead a small team of three architects.

Essential experience

• Strong experience as a Data Architect within a large, complex enterprise environment.
• Hands-on experience producing conceptual and logical data models, data flows and interface designs.
• Deep knowledge of data governance, data quality, security, metadata, cataloguing and master and reference data management.
• Experience defining enterprise data architecture principles, standards, patterns and target-state roadmaps.
• Strong stakeholder communication skills, with experience leading designs through governance and supporting delivery through to implementation.

Desirable experience

• Experience with Azure data technologies such as Databricks, Microsoft Purview or Microsoft Fabric.
• Knowledge of data product thinking, federated data models or domain-based ownership.
• Experience with TOGAF, Sparx Enterprise Architect or data standards such as ISO 20022, FIBO or SDMX.

In return, you can expect a flexible working culture, including:

• Non‑contributory career‑average pension.
• 10% - 25% annual discretionary performance award based on a current award pool
• 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
• 25 days annual leave with option to buy up to 13 additional days through flexible benefits.
• Flexible start and finish times plus adaptable working patterns.
• Working‑from‑abroad policy (subject to approval).
• Inclusive culture that values diversity, wellbeing and development.
• Private medical insurance and income protection.
• Dental cover
• Interest‑free season ticket loan

Additional information

• Hybrid working, with 40-50% office attendance across the month from either office
• London salary: £80,320 - £90,360 | Leeds salary: £72,320 - £81,360
• 21month fixed‑term contract with view to become permanent

Why join the Bank of England?

This is an opportunity to influence the future data landscape of an organisation whose work supports monetary and financial stability across the UK.

You will work on complex, meaningful data challenges and help modernise the Bank's enterprise data and analytics capabilities. The role offers the opportunity to remain close to hands‑on architecture while also setting strategic direction, influencing senior stakeholders and developing a team.