Senior Data Architect (GCP)

Wave Search Limited; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Job summary

Wave Search Limited is seeking a Principal Data Architect to lead enterprise-scale data architecture on a major Financial Services transformation programme. The role combines architecture, leadership and consulting to shape scalable, secure data solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

The candidate will work with senior stakeholders, define target-state architectures, and ensure governance, data models and pipelines meet business objectives and risk controls.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Data Architecture within complex enterprise environments.
• Deep expertise in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and cloud-native data technologies.
• Strong technical understanding of Python, SQL and dbt.
• Strong experience across modern data platforms, ETL/ELT and enterprise data modelling.
• Knowledge of MDM, data governance, metadata, lineage and integration architecture.
• Experience taking enterprise data products from architecture and design through to production.
• Strong consulting, communication and senior stakeholder management skills.
• Proven experience providing technical leadership across large-scale transformation programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of enterprise-scale GCP data platforms and solutions.
• Define target-state data architectures aligned to business and technology strategy.
• Lead data modelling across conceptual, logical and physical layers.
• Architect modern ETL/ELT frameworks, data pipelines and data products.
• Provide leadership across MDM, data governance, metadata management and lineage.
• Establish architecture standards, technical governance and engineering best practices.
• Provide oversight across CI/CD, DevOps and DataOps environments.
• Work with Data Science and AI teams to establish robust data foundations for AI and machine learning.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams of architects, engineers and technical specialists.
• Engage with senior client stakeholders to shape solutions, manage delivery risk and drive successful programme outcomes.

Skills

Data Architecture

GCP

Python

SQL

dbt

Data Modelling

MDM

Data Governance

Metadata Management

Lineage

CI/CD

DevOps

DataOps

AI/ML

Tools

dbt

Job description

We are working with one of the world’s leading IT services and consulting firms to appoint a Principal Data Architect to play a key role in the delivery of a major Financial Services transformation programme.

This is a senior, client-facing position combining enterprise data architecture, technical leadership and consulting, with responsibility for shaping and delivering complex, enterprise-scale data solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

The successful candidate will work closely with senior client stakeholders, architects, engineering teams and business leaders to define target-state data architecture and ensure solutions are scalable, secure, governed and aligned with wider business transformation objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of enterprise-scale GCP data platforms and solutions
• Define target-state data architectures aligned to business and technology strategy
• Lead data modelling across conceptual, logical and physical layers
• Architect modern ETL/ELT frameworks, data pipelines and data products
• Provide leadership across MDM, data governance, metadata management and lineage
• Establish architecture standards, technical governance and engineering best practices
• Provide oversight across CI/CD, DevOps and DataOps environments
• Work with Data Science and AI teams to establish robust data foundations for AI and machine learning
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams of architects, engineers and technical specialists
• Engage with senior client stakeholders to shape solutions, manage delivery risk and drive successful programme outcomes

Required Experience

• Extensive experience in Data Architecture within complex enterprise environments
• Deep expertise in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and cloud-native data technologies
• Strong technical understanding of Python, SQL and dbt
• Strong experience across modern data platforms, ETL/ELT and enterprise data modelling
• Knowledge of MDM, data governance, metadata, lineage and integration architecture
• Experience taking enterprise data products from architecture and design through to production
• Strong consulting, communication and senior stakeholder management skills
• Proven experience providing technical leadership across large-scale transformation programmes

Ideally, you will bring a blend of Financial Services industry and consulting experience, with exposure to major transformation programmes across banking, insurance or wider financial services.

Experience with AI/ML, Generative AI, MLOps, DataOps or modern lakehouse architectures would be advantageous.

Why Join?

• Join one of the world's leading IT services and consulting organisations
• Play a key architectural role on a major Financial Services transformation programme
• Opportunity to shape the target-state data architecture, rather than simply deliver against an established design
• Work with modern GCP, Data and AI technologies at significant enterprise scale
• High level of exposure to senior client stakeholders and major transformation decision-making
• Combine technical architecture, consulting and leadership rather than moving into a purely managerial position
• Work alongside experienced global Data, Cloud and AI specialists
• Strong opportunity for continued career progression within a major international consulting environment

Hybrid working: Candidates must be able to work onsite in Bristol 2 days per week.

Location: Hybrid (must be onsite 2 days per week in Bristol)

Salary: £100,000 – £160,000 Basic + Bonus + Benefits (dependant on skills/exp)

Employment: Permanent