Data Architect

Guardrisk; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Guardrisk, a market-leading insurer in South Africa, seeks a Technology Data Architect to design and govern enterprise-grade Azure data platforms, delivering secure, scalable, and high-performance solutions aligned to business and regulatory needs.

You will architect scalable data platforms, lead data modernization and governance, enable data-driven applications across Microsoft 365 and Power Platform, and mentor junior architects while ensuring POPIA and GDPR compliance.

Qualifications

• Relevant IT qualification and Azure-related certifications are advantageous.
• Proven delivery of large-scale data platforms (cloud and hybrid).
• 5+ years of experience in the insurance industry.

Responsibilities

• Architect scalable Azure-based data platforms and governance models.
• Lead data modernization, migration strategies, and data mapping.
• Define standards for data lifecycle management and compliance.
• Deliver integrated analytics using Power BI and Azure services.
• Enable data-driven applications with CI/CD and IaC practices.
• Mentor junior architects and collaborate with business units.

Skills

Data modeling

Data governance

Power BI

Automation tools

Cloud security

DevOps

CI/CD

Infrastructure as Code

Education

BCom/BSc in IT

Azure certifications

Tools

Azure

Databricks

Terraform

Power BI

Azure Analysis Services

Purview

Job description

Guardrisk is the undisputed market leader in cell captive insurance and risk solutions. We are renowned for our innovative approach to cell captive structures and other alternative risk transfer solutions for our clients. Guardrisk offers clients custom designed cover and is registered in South Africa as an insurer for all statutory classes of non-life and life insurance business.

Role Purpose

The Technology Data Architect designs and governs enterprise-grade Azure data platforms, delivering secure, scalable, and high-performance solutions aligned to business and regulatory needs. The role drives data modernization, analytics, automation, and integration, reporting to the Enterprise Solutions Architect.

Duties and Responsibilities

Architect Scalable Data Platforms

• Design and implement Azure-based data solutions (Azure SQL, Synapse, Cosmos DB, Data Lake, Databricks, Dataverse).
• Ensure performance, resilience, cost optimization, and security.
• Establish conceptual, logical, and physical data models aligned to business domains.

Lead Data Modernization

• Transform legacy systems into cloud-native architectures.
• Oversee migration strategies, schema conversion, data mapping, and validation.
• Promote adoption of modern analytics and data services.

Data Governance & Compliance

• Define and enforce standards for data lifecycle management.
• Ensure compliance with POPIA, GDPR, and internal governance frameworks.
• Support metadata management, lineage tracking, cataloging, and sensitive data monitoring.
• Deliver integrated analytics solutions using Power BI, Azure Analysis Services, and Azure Machine Learning.
• Support semantic modeling and KPI standardization.
• Collaborate with business units to deliver actionable insights.

Application Integration & Automation

• Provide architectural guidance for data-driven applications.
• Enable integration across Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Dynamics 365.
• Implement CI/CD, Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform), and automated data pipelines (ADF, Power Automate).

Data Quality & Observability

• Implement data quality frameworks and monitoring standards.
• Leverage Azure Monitor, Purview, and related tools to ensure lineage, reliability, and performance.
• Work across architecture, engineering, and business teams.
• Participate in governance forums and steering committees.
• Mentor junior architects and promote continuous learning.

Qualifications

• Relevant 3–4 year IT or Business qualification (BCom, BSc, or equivalent)
• Relevant Microsoft/Azure certifications advantageous

Experience

• Proven delivery of large-scale data platforms (cloud and hybrid)
• 5+ years insurance industry experience

Strong expertise in:

• Data modeling (dimensional, star/snowflake schemas, semantic layers)
• Data governance, MDM, quality, and observability frameworks
• Power BI and automation tools
• Cloud security and compliance (POPIA, GDPR)
• DevOps, CI/CD, Infrastructure-as-Code

Should you not hear from us within 21 days, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.