Principal Data Consultant / Architect (Associate Data Architect II)

UST; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

UST is seeking a Principal Data Consultant/Architect to lead enterprise-scale data platforms and analytics solutions from West Yorkshire (Hybrid – 3 days onsite). You will shape data architecture standards, guide platform strategy and ensure scalable, secure data solutions aligned with business goals.

The role requires deep Azure expertise (Databricks, Data Factory, ADLS Gen2, SQL), strong governance, and leadership across cross-functional teams. Immediate start available.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale Data & Analytics solutions.
• Deep knowledge of Microsoft Azure data services and cloud data architecture.
• Experience implementing data governance, metadata management, and data quality frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead data architecture reviews and technical governance.
• Familiarity with Lakehouse, Data Mesh, and domain-oriented data products.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills in cross-functional contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and evolution of enterprise data platforms and architecture.
• Define standards, patterns, and best practices for data ingestion, transformation, storage and consumption.
• Provide technical leadership for Azure-based data platforms and analytics solutions.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Engineers, Analysts and stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Own architecture reviews and ensure adherence to principles and standards.
• Govern data models, integration patterns, metadata management and data quality practices.
• Lead architecture discussions for platform modernization and new capabilities.
• Drive adoption of modern data architecture principles and data products.
• Ensure performance, security, governance and operational supportability.

Skills

Data architecture

Data modeling

Data governance

Stakeholder management

Agile delivery

Cloud data platforms

Communication

Tools

Azure Databricks

Azure Data Factory

Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2

Azure SQL

Spark / PySpark

GitHub / Azure DevOps

CI/CD

Job description

Role Description

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Data Consultant / Architect to lead the design, governance, and evolution of enterprise-scale data platforms and analytics solutions. This strategic leadership role will shape data architecture standards, influence platform strategy, and ensure scalable, secure, and business-aligned solutions across the organisation.

Location: West Yorkshire -Multiple Locations(Hybrid – 3 days onsite, mandatory)
Employment Type: Permanent | Fixed-Term Contract | Contract (Inside IR35)
Start Date: Immediate

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and evolution of enterprise data platforms and architecture, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, resilient, and aligned to business objectives.
• Define architectural standards, design patterns, and best practices across data ingestion, transformation, storage, and consumption layers.
• Provide technical leadership for Azure-based data platforms, including Databricks, Data Factory, Data Lake, and analytics solutions.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Engineers, Analysts, and business stakeholders to translate requirements into robust technical solutions.
• Own solution architecture reviews and ensure engineering teams adhere to architectural principles and standards.
• Define and govern data models, integration patterns, data quality frameworks, and metadata management practices.
• Lead architecture discussions for new capabilities, platform enhancements, and modernization initiatives.
• Drive adoption of modern data architecture principles, including Lakehouse, Data Mesh, and domain-oriented data products where appropriate.
• Ensure solutions meet requirements for performance, scalability, security, governance, and operational supportability.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to the data platform ecosystem.
• Provide mentoring and technical guidance to Data Architects, Lead Data Engineers, and Engineering teams.
• Contribute to architectural roadmaps and long-term platform strategy.

Skillset

• Extensive experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale Data & Analytics solutions.
• Strong expertise in Microsoft Azure services including Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS Gen2), Azure SQL, and related data services.
• Deep understanding of modern data architectures including Data Lakes, Data Warehousing, Lakehouse Architecture, and Medallion Design Patterns.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of Databricks, Spark/PySpark, SQL, and data engineering best practices.
• Expertise in data modelling techniques including dimensional modelling, Data Vault, and canonical data models.
• Strong understanding of data integration, ETL/ELT frameworks, API integration, and event-driven architectures.
• Experience implementing data governance, security, lineage, metadata management, and data quality frameworks.
• Familiarity with CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, GitHub, Azure DevOps, and DataOps practices.
• Experience establishing architecture standards, design governance, and technical review processes.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and business audiences.
• Experience working within Agile delivery models and leading technical teams across multiple workstreams.
• Experience in large-scale data transformation and cloud modernization programmes within retail, eCommerce, supply chain, or customer analytics environments is desirable

Skills

• Azure Data Factory
• Data Engineering
• Microsoft Azure
• Python