Data Architect

ARCS; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

ARCS is seeking a Senior Data Architect to design and implement cloud-native data architectures across Azure technologies, including Synapse, Cosmos DB, Data Lake, and Data Factory. You will model data, govern quality, and drive MDM strategies in an insurance-focused enterprise.

You will lead cross-functional teams, ensuring secure, compliant, scalable solutions. Responsibilities include designing semantic models for BI, enabling analytics with Power BI, and collaborating with governance and

Qualifications

• Enterprise data architecture design and modelling in insurance domain.
• Lead large-scale data platform implementations across cloud/hybrid environments.
• Design scalable, secure data architectures aligned with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design cloud-native data architectures and govern data flows.
• Drive data analytics, automation, and application development in collaboration with IT and business teams.

Skills

Cloud-native data architectures

Azure data technologies

Data modelling

Power BI

MDM

Data governance

DevOps & IaC

Cross-functional collaboration

Insurance domain knowledge

Education

B Com or B Sc degree

Certifications (beneficial)

Tools

Azure SQL Database

Azure Synapse Analytics

Azure Cosmos DB

Azure Data Lake Storage

Azure Data Factory

Azure Blob Storage

Azure Stream Analytics

Azure Analysis Services

Microsoft Purview

Job description

This role will lead the design and implementation of cloud-native data architectures using medallion and modern data lake architectures, integrating services such as Azure SQL, Synapse, Cosmos DB, Data Lake, Databricks, PySpark Notebooks, Power BI, and Dataverse. The Role will also drive innovation in data analytics, automation, and application development, while fostering collaboration across IT, business, and governance teams.

Formal Education:

• Appropriate 3/4 year IT/Business qualification – B Com or B Sc degree or equivalent
• Additional qualifications/Certifications beneficial

Experience:

• Technology Architecture – Data Technologies
  • Minimum 7 years of experience in enterprise-level data architecture, solution design and modelling of insurance-based data technologies.
  • Proven ability to lead large-scale data platform implementations across hybrid and cloud environments.
  • Expertise in designing scalable, secure and cost-effective data architectures in the cloud aligned with business and regulatory requirements.
• Microsoft Azure Data Technologies
  • Extensive hands-on experience with:
    • Azure SQL Database
    • Azure Synapse Analytics
    • Azure Cosmos DB
    • Azure Blob Storage
    • Azure Data Lake Storage
    • Azure Data Factory
    • Azure Stream Analytics
    • Azure Analysis Services
    • Azure Machine Learning
  • Strong understanding of Azure-native data integration, transformation and analytical capabilities.
• Data Modelling and Semantic Layer Design
  • Proficient in conceptual, logical and physical data modelling using tools like Visio, Azure Synapse, Power BI and Databricks.
  • Experience designing semantic models for Power BI and Azure Analysis Services to support enterprise-wide reporting.
  • Skilled in dimensional modelling, star/snowflake schemas and metadata management.
• Data Quality and Observability
  • Implemented data quality frameworks and observability practices using Azure Monitor, Purview and custom telemetry tools, working closely with the Data Architect.
  • Experience with anomaly detection, data validation rules and lineage tracking to ensure trust and transparency.
  • Defined and monitored data SLAs and KPIs across business-critical pipelines.
• Master Data Management (MDM)
  • Experience implementing and integrating Master Data Management solutions to ensure consistency of key business entities across systems.
  • Defined governance models and stewardship processes for managing golden records, resolving data conflicts and data retention, working closely with the Data Centre of Excellence.
  • Worked with Microsoft Purview and other MDM tools to support data cataloguing, lineage and reference data management.
• Business Intelligence & Automation
  • Proficiency in Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate and Microsoft 365 tools.
  • Experience designing interactive dashboards and automating business workflows.
• Cloud Security & Governance
  • Familiarity with Azure Security Center, Azure Monitor, Azure Policy and Azure Backup.
  • Experience implementing security best practices and compliance frameworks (POPIA, GDPR).
  • Hands-on experience with Microsoft Purview and/or other data governance tools.
• DevOps & Infrastructure as Code
  • Experience with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, Terraform and Machine Learning Ops.
  • Ability to manage infrastructure and deployments using automated tooling and IaC principles.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Demonstrated success working with enterprise solutions architects, data engineers, analysts, developers and business stakeholders.
  • Experience participating in architecture forums, steering committees and governance bodies.
• Insurance Domain Knowledge
  • 5+ years of domain knowledge in Insurance (Short Term / Life / Microinsurance / Health Insurance).
  • Experience in aligning data strategies with regulatory and operational needs in the insurance sector.

Core Technical Competencies:

• Data Storage & Management
  • SQL Server
  • Azure SQL Database
  • Azure Synapse Analytics
  • Azure Cosmos DB
  • Azure Blob Storage
  • Azure Data Lake Storage
• Data Analytics & BI
  • Power BI
  • Azure Analysis Services
  • Azure Machine Learning
  • Azure Data Factory
  • Azure Stream Analytics
• Data Cataloguing, Data Quality Management and Governance
  • Microsoft Purview
  • Azure Data Catalog
  • Data Quality Frameworks
  • Data Lineage
  • Master Data Management (MDM)
  • Data Observability
• Automation & Integration
  • Power Apps
  • Power Automate
  • SharePoint
  • Dynamics 365
  • Azure Logic Apps
  • Azure Data Share
• Cloud Infrastructure & Security
  • Azure Arc
  • Azure Bastion
  • Azure Backup
  • Azure Monitor
  • Azure Policy
  • Azure Security Center
• DevOps & Infrastructure as Code
  • Azure DevOps
  • CI/CD Pipelines
  • Terraform
  • MLOps
  • Azure Cost Management
• Data Modelling & Semantic Layer Design
  • Dimensional Modelling
  • Star/Snowflake Schemas
  • Semantic Models for BI
  • Metadata Management