Principal Data Architect

Co-op; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

28 days holiday

Pension 10% employer

Private healthcare

Onsite gym

Product discount 30%

Stream early access

Virtual healthcare

24/7 support

Career development

Cycle-to-work

Job summary

Co-op in Manchester is hiring a Principal Data Architect to lead the enterprise data strategy, shape architectures and guide data transformation across the organisation.

This senior role blends strategic vision with hands-on design, collaborating with engineering and business teams to deliver secure, scalable data solutions while coaching a growing community of data professionals.

You will work in a hybrid setup, with office presence in Manchester and flexible remote days.

Qualifications

• Experience designing enterprise-scale data architectures.
• Proven ability to govern data strategy and ensure compliance.
• Hands-on with MDM and metadata management.
• Experience leading large programmes and cross-functional teams.
• Strong coaching and mentoring abilities.

Responsibilities

• Shape Co-op’s enterprise data architecture across conceptual, logical and physical models.
• Define data platform strategy and governance aligned to business goals.
• Provide architectural leadership on major data initiatives and programmes.
• Collaborate with engineering, platform and solution architects to deliver scalable data solutions.
• Coach data architects and grow the data architecture community.
• Influence long-term data platform investments and design decisions.
• Design data and AI platform solutions including logical and low-level designs.

Skills

Enterprise data architecture

Data modelling

Governance & compliance

MDM & metadata management

Stakeholder leadership

Coaching & mentoring

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Tools

Databricks

Lakehouse

Job description

Principal Data Architect
£80,000 - £90,000 plus great benefits (Work level 4)
Hybrid working, splitting your time between home and coming into our Manchester city centre office once or twice a month

At Co-op, data helps us make better decisions, create better experiences and deliver more value for our members, customers and colleagues. We’re looking for a Principal Data Architect to help shape the future of protect, understand, manage and exploit the value of data across our organisation, combining strategic thinking with deep technical expertise to guide our data transformation.

As a senior leader in our data community, you’ll influence decisions across the business, provide architectural direction on major initiatives and help grow our capability through coaching, collaboration and the sharing of best practice. By creating strong foundations for how we manage and use data, you’ll help unlock value across Co‑op now and in the future.

What you’ll do

• Shape and evolve Co‑op’s enterprise‑wide data architecture, including conceptual, logical and physical data models
• A data architecture operating model and agentic AI enablement as a strategic driver
• Provide data leadership and architectural guidance across strategic programmes, transformation initiatives and complex data projects
• Partner with engineering, platform, solution architects and business teams to deliver secure, scalable and sustainable data solutions
• Coach and mentor data architects and specialists, helping to grow capability and strengthen our data architecture community
• Influence data platform strategy, governance and long‑term investment decisions
• Data & Ai platform solution design and hands on logical & low level design

What you’ll bring

• Experience designing and delivering enterprise‑scale data architecture, with expertise across data modelling, governance, integration and strategy
• Strong architectural judgement, with the ability to balance business value, technical complexity, risk, cost and compliance considerations
• Practical MDM and metadata management experience, specifically Databricks/Lakehouse platform
• Experience providing technical leadership and influencing decisions across large‑scale programmes, transformation initiatives and diverse stakeholder groups
• A collaborative approach, with a passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others
• Excellent relationship‑building and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, practical guidance.
• A strategic mindset and genuine enthusiasm for shaping the future of data and driving positive change across an organisation

Why Co‑op?

At Co‑op, we’re owned by our members. And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement. We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:

• An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• Private healthcare
• Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ)
• 30% discount on Co‑op products and 10% off other brands
• Stream - early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
• Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice
• 24/7 colleague support service
• Training and support for your development and career progression
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme

A place you’ll belong

We’re building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work.

We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.
Learn more about our recruitment process at jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process and our inclusion commitments at jobs.coop.co.uk/diversity-inclusion.