Senior Data Architect - DfT - G7

Manchester Digital; Leeds, Birmingham, Hastings, Greater London; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent government department in the UK is looking for a skilled Data Architect to develop and implement data architecture strategies. The ideal candidate will lead teams, create data models, and ensure governance principles are followed. Responsibilities include shaping data solutions and working closely with stakeholders to enhance digital transformation initiatives. A friendly and inclusive work environment with excellent employee benefits is offered, including flexible working and a strong pension scheme.

Benefits

Employer pension contribution of 28.97%

25 days annual leave, increasing with service

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in developing data architecture strategies.
• Ability to create and review data models.
• Understanding of data architecture governance principles.

Responsibilities

• Develop data architecture strategies and governance.
• Create and review data models for alignment with strategy.
• Lead data architecture projects and teams.

Skills

Data architecture governance

Data modelling skills

Experience with SQL Server

Proficiency in cloud services

Stakeholder management

Education

Relevant degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

SQL

AWS

Oracle

Google Cloud

Job description

National: £57,515 London: £62,034 Plus an additional DDaT allowance up to: £22,885

Full-time (Permanent) National: £57,515 London: £62,034 Plus an additional DDaT allowance up to: £22,885 Published on 17 December 2025 Deadline 4 January 2026

Location

Birmingham, Hastings, Leeds, London

About the job

Job summary

Can you turn complex data challenges into clear, innovative solutions that shape a smarter, more connected future for transport?

Do you thrive on collaborating with diverse teams to design flexible data architectures that drive meaningful digital transformation?

If so, we'd love to hear from you!

The Department for Transport (DfT) is a high-profile department at the heart of government. We plan and invest to make journeys better.

At the heart of digital evolution in DfT, you will join a talented, experienced, cross-discipline architecture team imagining and shaping the delivery of next generation digital and data services. You will lead on developing the data architecture for an organisation which has data at its core delivering innovative transport policy agenda. As DfT is a cloud-only enterprise, you will harness the latest cloud technologies to develop solutions meeting complex digital, identity and data needs.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

You will be working closely with our Data Engineering team as an ambassador for the best in flexible data architecture in Digital Services and across DfTc supporting the business in develop their data ambitions. You can assess complex data issues and inform and influence senior stakeholders in a non-technical manner. You will have a pro‑active approach to problem solving and be creative in delivering data solutions that both fix problems and move DfT towards a better managed, cost‑effective digital future.

You will be responsible for overseeing multiple (sometimes concurrent) due diligence and mobilisation projects that will be required to ensure passenger rail services continue in the public sector. This involves working with a large number of stakeholders to gather a wide range of information regarding the operations of Train Operating Companies (TOCs), and ensuring that all legal, regulatory, contractual, commercial and operational requirements are in place. Your objective is to manage transfers of private sector rail companies into the public sector (DfT Operator, DFTO) with no impact to train operators staff, supplier and customers.

Working as part of a talented team, you will:

• Be responsible for all data architecture within DfT providing designs for a number of data solutions and understanding the interdependencies between different data stacks.
• Shape and deliver DfT’s data architecture strategy, roadmap and plans ensuring the underlying data architecture supports the goals of the organisation and government overall.
• Lead and develop DfTc’s data architecture to support a growing data eco‑system with multiple analyst users and third‑party builders.
• Influence data decisions throughout policy lifecycles through demonstrating technology value, risk and opportunity.
• Develop data solutions aligned to business need, business capability, and the DfTc digital and technology strategy.
• Manage a range of staff and 3rd parties to design repeatable data solutions aligned to your vision for data architecture ensuring an enterprise approach is adopted.
• Supporting key business stakeholders by providing technical assurance/governance at boards such as the Architecture Change Board.

In return, we offer you:

• an inclusive and welcoming working environment so you can feel comfortable to be yourself at work
• a chance to work in a high‑performing team at the leading edge of government digital service design
• industry‑leading pension and employee benefits package

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

We’re interested in people who have:

• Demonstrable experience in developing data architecture strategies, policies, and designs, and supporting their implementation within complex organisations.
• Proven ability to create and review conceptual and logical data models to ensure alignment with overall data strategy and accurate representation of data requirements.
• Strong understanding of data architecture governance principles and experience acting as a key stakeholder in review and sign‑off processes (e.g., Data Architectural Reference Authority).
• Data modelling and governance proficiency, covering conceptual, logical, and physical architectures, metadata management.
• Significant experience in data architecture, data modelling, database design, or a related area such as application architecture is expected.
• Expertise in data modelling tools and methodologies.
• Experience in leading data architecture projects and/or teams.
• Proficiency in database management systems (DBMS) like SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, and big data solutions using technologies such as no‑SQL.
• Experience in using cloud services such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platforms.