Senior Data Architect - Microsoft Fabric/Azure

Scott-Merrick; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 111,000 - 148,000; Part time

Job summary

Scott-Merrick seeks a Senior Data Architect to shape a new enterprise data platform built on Microsoft Fabric and Azure. The role is hands-on and requires collaboration with data engineers, developers and third-party partners to deliver a robust, scalable architecture.

The candidate will design Medallion architectures, oversee MDM and data governance, and drive AI/automation opportunities across the platform in a large global environment.

Qualifications

• Senior level data architecture experience in large enterprises.
• Deep practical experience with Microsoft Azure data technologies.
• Significant experience with Microsoft Fabric and Medallion architectures.
• Experience with MDМ/Master Data Management and golden records.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the future enterprise data architecture.
• Design and develop modern data architecture using Fabric and Azure.
• Implement Medallion Bronze/Silver/Gold layers.
• Provide hands-on architectural leadership to data engineers and developers.
• Review designs and ensure delivery alignment with architecture.
• Support Master Data Management and golden records initiatives.
• Identify AI/automation opportunities within the data platform.
• Collaborate with senior tech and business stakeholders.

Skills

Azure data

Microsoft Fabric

Medallion architecture

MDM/Master Data Management

Data governance

Data modelling

AI & automation

Architectural leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Hands-on delivery

Tools

OneLake

Data Factory

Pipelines

Power BI

Job description

Senior Data Architect - Microsoft Fabric/Azure

Rate: £600-£800 (DOE) per day - Inside IR35

Length: 6-month initial contract

Location: London - Hybrid, 2-3 days per week in the office

We are looking for a highly experienced Senior Data Architect to join a major global organisation as it develops a new enterprise data platform and modernises its wider data architecture.

This is a senior role which requires you to be very much hands‑on. You will need to work closely with data engineers, developers and third‑party delivery teams, challenge technical decisions where necessary and help ensure the new platform is actually delivered.

The new data environment is being built around Microsoft Fabric and Azure, using a Medallion architecture, alongside Master Data Management, enterprise data modelling, data governance, semantic data and increased use of AI and automation.

Essential experience for the Senior Data Architect role:

• Strong recent experience as a Senior Data Architect/Lead Data Architect/Data Platform Architect.
• Deep practical experience of Microsoft Azure data technologies.
• Significant experience with Microsoft Fabric.
• Proven experience designing or delivering Medallion architectures.
• Experience with MDM/Master Data Management, preferably including golden-record concepts.
• Experience delivering within a large, complex enterprise or global organisation.
• Strong understanding of enterprise data governance and data-quality principles.
• Technically strong enough to work directly with developers and data engineers and challenge their approach where required.

Key responsibilities:

• Help define and deliver the organisation's future enterprise data architecture.
• Design and develop modern data architecture using Microsoft Fabric and Azure.
• Work with Medallion architecture - Bronze, Silver and Gold layers.
• Provide hands‑on architectural leadership to data engineers and developers.
• Review and challenge technical designs and work with third‑party implementation partners and ensure delivery remains technically aligned.
• Support the introduction and development of Master Data Management and golden records.
• Identify opportunities to use AI and automation within the data platform and wider data architecture.
• Work with senior technology and business stakeholders.

Experience of areas such as OneLake, Lakehouse, Fabric Warehouse, Data Factory/Data Pipelines, semantic models, Power BI, AI agents or AI-enabled data platforms would be particularly useful.

This is a role for someone who combines senior architecture capability with genuine technical delivery experience - someone who can define the architecture but is equally comfortable getting involved with the teams responsible for making it work.

The initial contract is expected to be 6 months, with potential extension. There may also be the opportunity to move into a permanent position in the future for candidates who are interested, although this is not a requirement.