Managing Consultant/Senior Manager - Data & AI Architecture

Ernst & Young; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in the UK is seeking a Managing Consultant / Senior Manager specializing in Data & AI Architecture. The role involves designing scalable data platforms and enabling hybrid cloud transformations. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of experience in data technologies, a strong consulting background, and proficiency in cloud-based architectures like AWS and Azure. This position offers the opportunity to innovate with AI-driven data solutions in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience shaping end-to-end solutions for AI/ML workloads.
• Experience designing and implementing cloud-based architectures.
• Strong industry background with consulting roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and development of scalable data platforms.
• Implement modern hybrid data architectures and drive system migrations.
• Create Proof of Concepts for advanced analytics and AI platforms.

Skills

Growth mindset and curiosity

Strategic thinking

Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Strong understanding of data and AI technologies

Consulting & commercial acumen

Education

Intermediate-level cloud certifications

10+ years in data technologies and architecture

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

Remote: Hybrid

Managing Consultant / Senior Manager – Data & AI Architecture

Join our Data & AI Strategy team and be part of the future of AI consulting, where we’re not just advising clients but actively disrupting traditional consulting models by embedding AI into every aspect of how we work. We drive transformation tailored to our clients’ challenges of today and tomorrow, informed and validated by science and data, super‑powered by creativity and design. All underpinned by technology created with purpose.

Your Role

• Design next‑generation data, analytics and AI platforms – lead the architecture and development of scalable, secure and cost‑efficient platforms that power both operational and analytical workloads, leveraging leading cloud technologies (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Enable hybrid cloud transformation – implement modern hybrid data architectures (Snowflake, Redshift, BigQuery) and drive the migration of legacy systems to cloud‑native solutions that unlock agility and performance.
• Innovate with AI‑driven data solutions – create Proof of Concepts and Minimum Viable Products for advanced analytics and AI platforms, ensuring they align with enterprise objectives and deliver measurable business value.
• Automate for speed and reliability – build and streamline data pipelines, infrastructure provisioning, and deployments using DevOps practices, CI/CD and Infrastructure‑as‑Code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Advise on enterprise data strategy – shape the vision for enterprise data platforms, develop architecture blueprints, roadmaps and communication plans that engage stakeholders and drive adoption.
• Deliver impact through design excellence – champion user‑centric design and storytelling to create compelling data platform solutions. Apply industry frameworks (TOGAF, DAMA) and best practices, ensuring consistency, compliance and scalability.
• Supercharge delivery – leverage the power of AI to accelerate delivery and drive innovation for our clients and our business. Experiment with new AI and automation technologies to build proof‑of‑concepts, augment research and automate tasks.

Your Profile

• Growth mindset and curiosity – always learning, experimenting with new technologies, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Strategic thinking – strong problem‑solving and analytical skills, able to structure complex challenges and develop clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills – confident engaging with stakeholders at all levels, translating complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives.
• Strong understanding of data and AI technologies – able to confidently engage with AI concepts and tools.
• Strategic Leadership in Data, Analytics & AI Architecture – proven experience shaping end‑to‑end solutions that enable AI/ML workloads and drive optimisation through automation.
• Strong industry expertise – 10+ years in data technologies and architecture, with strong consulting experience.
• Cloud data platforms – 6+ years designing, implementing and managing cloud‑based architectures such as AWS, Azure or GCP, and hands‑on experience with modern data solutions like Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery, Synapse or others.
• Certifications & technical depth – at least 3 intermediate‑level cloud certifications and expertise in cloud‑native AI data architectures.
• Infrastructure & automation – proficiency in Infrastructure‑as‑Code (Terraform, ARM Templates, Google Deployment Manager) and DevOps practices, and familiarity with networking, security and identity management for AI use‑cases.
• Modern data patterns – solid understanding of ETL/ELT processes and modern architecture patterns such as data mesh and data fabric.
• Migration & transformation – experience migrating legacy systems to cloud‑native data stores.
• Consulting & commercial acumen – strong background in advisory roles, project scoping, budgeting and managing complex stakeholder relationships.
• SC Cleared / Eligible.

Desirable Experience

• Domain experience – primarily UK public sector but also banking, financial services and insurance, consumer products, retail and distribution, telecoms and transport.
• Knowledge of cloud cost management tools and best practices to optimise spend and maximise value.
• Proven track record of applying Agile methodologies and leading cross‑functional teams to deliver complex data and AI solutions.