Senior Government Finance Function (GFF) Data Architect / Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Darlington; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking an experienced senior data professional to join their Strategy, Performance & Improvement Team. This role involves defining data strategies, designing data pipelines, and ensuring data governance across government initiatives. You will work closely with stakeholders and promote data maturity within finance functions, requiring a strong background in data architecture and engineering, along with a proven technical skill set.

Benefits

25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years

Flexible working arrangements

Generous parental and adoption leave packages

Defined Benefit pension scheme with 28.97% employer contributions

Cycle-to-work scheme

Active staff networks based on interests

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Established data standards and metadata management experience.
• Familiarity with Digital Solutions like ERP and EPM technologies.

Responsibilities

• Defining a Government Finance Data Strategy and development roadmap.
• Delivering a Finance Data Lineage related to Public Spending data.
• Owning the Finance Data Standards, managing metadata quality.

Skills

Data Architecture

Data Engineering

SQL

Python

Java

Data Management

Education

TOGAF certification

Qualification in Digital Data Architecture

Job description

Job Description

Are you an experienced senior data professional with a strong background in data architecture and/or data engineering? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

About the Team

The Strategy, Performance & Improvement (SPI) Team is part of the central Government Finance Function (GFF), supporting over 9,000 finance colleagues across government. We set the Finance Standard (GovS006), monitor performance, and maintain the NOVA Functional Reference Model, which shares best practices to improve efficiency in finance services.

NOVA includes functional design artifacts such as Processes, KPIs, Business Glossary, and Data Dictionary, adopted by government organizations through shared services and back-office systems.

We aim to enhance finance performance by promoting the adoption of NOVA standards, increasing data maturity, improving data architecture, and creating data integration solutions aligned with GFF 2030 Strategy and a data-driven finance function.

The team of seventeen collaborates across various partners, offering opportunities to influence finance communities and work at high levels within the Civil Service. We foster a flexible, inclusive environment that encourages networking and professional growth.

About the Job

The key responsibilities include:

1. Defining a Government Finance Data Strategy, vision, and development roadmap, ensuring alignment with departmental and government digital and data strategies, and reporting on progress and benefits.
2. Delivering a Finance Data Lineage by assessing critical data elements, systems, and understanding data flow, especially related to Public Spending data and HM Treasury’s OSCAR system.
3. Owning the Finance Data Standards in NOVA, supporting and leading data requirements and design for future financial reporting systems within Government and HM Treasury.
4. Managing metadata quality and embedding processes to ensure high standards, using project and program management methodologies.
5. Designing and implementing data pipelines to extract, transform, and load data from various sources.
6. Engaging stakeholders for effective Data Management, Data Integrity, and Data Governance, especially with Data Leads across government and third parties.
7. Supporting Data communities with knowledge sharing, training, and guidance on best practices.

About You

You will be qualified in Digital Data Architecture, with experience in delivering cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP, and relevant TOGAF certification. Proficiency in SQL and programming languages such as Python or Java is essential, with relevant certifications.

You should have proven experience in establishing data standards, metadata management, and data analysis, with familiarity with Digital Solutions like ERP and EPM technologies and applying data standards effectively.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and additional days for the King’s birthday, with flexitime options.
• Flexible working arrangements (part-time, job-share, condensed hours).
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages.
• Access to a Defined Benefit pension scheme with 28.97% employer contributions.
• Cycle-to-work scheme and season ticket loans.
• Active staff networks based on interests such as analysis, music, sports, and social activities.

For more information and application details, please follow the apply link. If you require reasonable adjustments for the selection process, please mention this in your application.