Lead Data Architect

Manchester Digital; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK is looking for a Lead Data Architect. In this role, you'll oversee data architecture across critical systems, ensuring secure data usage while mentoring junior data architects. You'll work with advanced technologies, focusing on data models and governance frameworks, ultimately driving value from data for public impact.

Qualifications

• Deep technical expertise in at least one data ecosystem (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server).
• Proficiency in data modelling and governance.
• Experience with cloud data technologies like AWS, Azure, or GCP.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain data models and governance processes.
• Mentor junior architects and guide data professionals.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align data architecture with business objectives.

Skills

Data modelling

Governance

Data integration

Data literacy

Communication

Collaboration

Tools

Oracle

SQL Server

AWS

Azure

GCP

Kafka

Spark

Job description

As a Lead Data Architect, you will create and uphold data architecture across critical Home Office systems, enabling secure, data-driven services that keep the country safe. Working under the vision set by the Principal Data Architect, you'll design robust data models, metadata systems, and governance frameworks to serve diverse stakeholders. Your leadership will span strategic planning, mentoring junior data architects, and aligning technical decisions with business objectives.

If you thrive on architecting solutions that integrate emerging technologies such as cloud-native platforms, data lakehouses, streaming data pipelines and AI-powered analytics while collaborating with multi disciplinary teams, this role offers you the chance to elevate how the Home Office exploits data for maximum public impact.

In this role, you will translate strategic data vision into tangible designs and solutions, ensuring data assets are secure, well-structured, and aligned with evolving Home Office priorities. Partnering with Technical Architects, Principal Data Architects, and various data teams, you will evaluate existing platforms, identify gaps, and recommend optimisations whether via cloud-native services, large-scale distributed data platforms, or modern data warehouses.

What you will do

• Design and maintain data models, metadata systems, and data flows that align with the overarching data strategy.
• Advise and guide data professionals on implementing best practices for data modelling, governance, and metadata management.
• Collaborate with Technical Architects to ensure system designs meet data architecture standards, championing performance, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee data catalogues and lineage, embedding governance processes for consistent and trustworthy data usage.
• Contribute to the selection and assessment of data platforms (on-premise, cloud, or hybrid), recommending strategies to optimise costs and resources.
• Mentor and coach junior architects, offering guidance in areas like data integration, real-time analytics, and emerging tools/technologies.
• Engage with stakeholders at various levels to reconcile differing views, building consensus on data architectural decisions.

What you will bring

• Deep technical expertise in at least one data ecosystem (e.g. Oracle, SQL Server, Cloud Data platforms) plus real-time data streaming/ processing technologies (Kafka, Spark).
• Data modelling and governance proficiency, covering conceptual, logical, and physical architectures, metadata management.
• Cloud data technologies: experience architecting solutions on AWS, Azure, or GCP, optimising cost, performance, and security.
• Proven ability to design and implement data governance tools and data literacy programs, fostering a responsible, data-savvy culture.
• Analysis and design of data-driven projects, ensuring data quality, integration, and scalability.
• Communication & collaboration skills: able to simplify complex data concepts for varied audiences, build consensus, and mentor peers.
• Awareness of industry advances in analytics tools, scalable data solutions, or data manipulation products to inform strategic decisions.

Additional Information

This role requires SC clearance. To meet national security vetting requirements, you typically need to have been resident in the UK for at least three years. Unfortunately, we cannot offer sponsorship.

Your CV clearly evidence your experience against the essential skills, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Make full use of the word count to create a comprehensive and compelling application.

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