Lead Data Architect (0872)

Transport for Wales; Pontypridd; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Transport for Wales is seeking a Lead Data Architect to shape and govern the organisation's data architecture, defining strategic data models, standards and governance to support decisions.

You will lead the design of cloud-based data platforms, establish data standards, ensure GDPR compliance and collaborate with analysts, engineers and stakeholders to deliver value through the Data Strategy.

Qualifications

• Degree or MSc in Computer/Data Science or equivalent experience in data architecture, data engineering, data management, or related field.
• Expertise in designing and aligning data models across multiple subject areas using recognised patterns and standards.
• Familiarity with TOGAF (data architecture) or equivalent for target-state development.
• Ability to translate problems into coherent data architecture designs spanning multiple domains.
• Proven experience defining and evolving data governance including data quality, metadata, lineage and policy assurance.
• Ability to embed data standards and ensure compliance aligned to DDaT and UK Government Data Standards.
• Ability to design metadata repositories, suggest improvements, apply tooling, and guide colleagues.
• Strong data profiling, source analysis and identifying links across problem domains.
• Experience communicating technical information to non-technical audiences with cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to work in a strategic context contributing to data direction and strategy.
• Awareness of emerging data tooling trends and their organisational impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for enterprise data architecture and set long-term standards.
• Shape and govern cloud-based data platform architecture aligning with digital priorities.
• Define, evolve and assure the organisation's data governance operating model.
• Embed data standards into delivery and create repeatable assurance frameworks.
• Act as senior authority on enterprise data modelling across analytics, operations and strategy.
• Translate cross-functional problems into enterprise data architecture strategies.
• Oversee data pipelines and processing architectures adhering to standards and metadata strategies.
• Establish, socialise and maintain comprehensive enterprise data standards.
• Assure data services across units, ensuring GDPR compliance and risk management.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to align data solutions with the Data Strategy.

Skills

Data architecture

Data governance

Metadata management

Data modelling

Stakeholder engagement

TOGAF familiarity

GDPR/compliance

Cloud architecture

Education

MSc in Data Science

Degree in Computer Science

Tools

TOGAF

Cloud platforms

Metadata tooling

Job description

The Role

The Lead Data Architect will shape, govern and assure the organisation's data architecture—defining, designing and maintaining strategic data models, standards, flows and governance structures that support organisational goals, ensure compliance, foster collaboration across business areas, and enable Transport for Wales to make data-driven decisions

Role Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Transport for Wales' enterprise data architecture, defining the long‑term vision, target states and organisation‑wide standards that undermine scalable, secure and interoperable data ecosystems.
• Shape and govern the architecture of cloud‑based data platforms, ensuring all modelling, integration and metadata decisions fully align with enterprise architecture principles and strategic digital transformation priorities.
• Define, evolve and assure the organisation's data governance operating model, establishing enterprise‑level policies for data quality, lineage, metadata, compliance and stewardship across all business domains.
• Embed data standards and governance controls into delivery activity, creating repeatable frameworks, assurance processes and compliance mechanisms that uplift data maturity and drive consistent adoption across services.
• Act as the organisation's senior authority on enterprise data modelling, providing strategic oversight and consultation to architects and engineers to ensure models serve analytical, operational and strategic needs.
• Translate complex, cross‑functional business problems into enterprise‑aligned data architecture strategies, defining reusable patterns and solutions that deliver measurable long‑term organisational value.
• Oversee and assure the design of data pipelines, integrations and processing architectures, ensuring they adhere to approved architectural principles, metadata strategies, and enterprise‑wide standards.
• Establish, maintain and socialise comprehensive enterprise data standards, securing senior‑level buy‑in and ensuring technical and non‑technical teams understand and adhere to architectural and governance obligations.
• Assure and integrate data services across business units, proactively identifying risks, resolving standards breaches, and safeguarding regulatory, security and GDPR compliance within all data‑related systems.
• Lead cross‑functional collaboration with analysts, engineers, architects, DevOps and business stakeholders, ensuring data solutions are aligned to organisational strategy and contribute directly to the execution of the Data Strategy through consistent, transparent and well‑maintained architectural documentation.

Who We're Looking For

• Degree or MSc in Computer/Data Science or Data Engineering or equivalent experience in data architecture , data engineering ,data management, or a related field.
• Expertise and practical experience in designing and aligning data models across multiple subject areas, applying recognised patterns and industry standards
• Familiarity with structured architectural approaches found in TOGAF (data architecture) or equivalent(, where appropriate for formal target-state development
• Ability to translate organisational problems into coherent data architecture designs that span multiple business domains.
• Proven experience defining and evolving data governance, including data quality, metadata, lineage, and policy assurance across services
• Ability to create and embed data standards and ensure compliance across the organisation. aligned to DDaT and UK Government Data Standards.
• Ability to design metadata repositories, recommend improvements, apply appropriate metadata tooling, and guide less experienced colleagues.
• Strong capability in data profiling, source system analysis and identifying links across problem domains to define common, reusable solutions.
• Experience of communicating technical information and data to a non technical audience and working collaboratively with analysts, architects, and product owners to deliver data solutions that meet user and organisational needs.
• Ability to work within a strategic context and ensure activities contribute to organisational strategy and future data direction.
• Awareness of emerging trends in data tools, data usage and analysis techniques, and their potential organisational impact.

Welsh Language Skills

While not essential for this role, Welsh language skills would make a great addition to your application. TfW support anyone who wants to learn Welsh or improve their skills. We offer online learning, classroom courses and funding attendance at local community courses.

Equal Opportunities

We're changing the way the transport industry looks. By celebrating and embracing differences, we're building a workforce that represents Wales. We need talented people from all backgrounds and cultures to bring their perspectives and experiences. Diverse teams make better decisions and drive innovation. Join us in transforming the way Wales travels.

Who We Are

Transport for Wales is changing the way Wales travels, making sustainable transport the first choice. We're building a multimodal integrated transport network called the T Network, making it easier for people to travel by train, bus, walking, wheeling and cycling.