Lead Data Architect

We’re looking for a Lead Data Architect to join our digital transformation consultancy.

This is a strategic role that leads data strategy for public sector clients. Lead Data Architects look at data holistically, supporting clients to define the vision for data in their organisation. 

As a Data Architect, you will:

• Guide and support clients to define data strategy in line with broader organisational strategy

• Map where and how data is used and stored across a client organisation 

• Design data architecture 

• Set data standards, design governance, and define ways of working for data

You will bring a user-centered approach to data, ensuring that data meet the needs of users and stakeholders and helps the client to deliver effective services.

You'll operate as a trusted advisor, liaising with senior client stakeholders. 

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across design, technology, and delivery. You will lead smaller engagements or play a senior role on larger ones. You will be the source of oversight and advice on data for the wider team and for the client. The Lead level is aligned to level 6 in the SFIA framework. 

You will also support the development of junior colleagues and contribute to team culture  and business development.

Responsibilities

Understanding data landscapes

• Analyse client data landscapes and document data systems, mapping data assets, information flows and user needs

• Create documentation, visual artefacts and architecture diagrams including data landscapes, data flows, and catalogued data products.

• Conduct Data Maturity Assessments assessing staff capabilities and data usage for decision making

Developing data strategy

• Collaborate with client stakeholders to design data strategies aligned to organisation strategy and goals

• Develop prioritised roadmaps to implement data strategy

• Conduct options appraisals

• Advise on data capabilities and operating models, providing support to build data literacy where necessary

• Advise on AI adoption, assessing AI readiness

Implementing data strategy

• Develop data standards, create data catalogues, identify data owners and design governance processes to maintain data quality and usability

• Design interoperable data solutions to meet client needs, advising on selection and implementation of data products and tools

Stakeholder management

• Facilitate workshops and interviews with clients and users to understand user needs and organisational priorities

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, building trust with senior stakeholders

• Communicate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders

• Lead project workstreams or small/medium client work in data-related engagements

Internal responsibilities

• Contribute to the continual development of our technology and data practice, mentor or line manage more junior consultants and contribute to internal learning

• Contribute to bids, proposals and marketing

• Maintain a strong understanding of emerging trends and technologies in the data space

Professional knowledge and experience

Essential:

• Successful track record of designing data architecture and producing architecture artefacts, e.g. data landscapes, enterprise conceptual models, and data flow diagrams

• Proven experience of data governance and improving data quality

• Experience designing or reviewing organisation-wide data strategies

• Strong verbal and written skills and experience of presenting technical concepts and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Demonstrable knowledge of a wide range of data solutions, common data platforms, and emerging data technologies, and understanding of common constraints and considerations

• Experience in a consultancy setting, demonstrating adaptability and responsiveness to client needs and working with stakeholders at multiple levels across the organisation.

• Experience managing senior business stakeholders

• Champion of user needs and user centered design in the context of data 

• Committed to personal and professional development, staying abreast of industry trends.

• A technology and platform agnostic perspective.

Desirable:

• Experience working in diverse, remote, and multi-disciplinary teams

• Experience with agile methodologies

• Experience leading projects or teams

• Awareness of the priorities and challenges of public sector and charity sector organisations, preferably from experience working in or with public sector organisations

Technical skills

• Communicating between the technical and non-technical – ability to interpret and negotiate between needs of technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Strategic thinking – ability to define and evaluate strategies

• Communicating data - turn complex data into clear and well understood solutions

• Data innovation - identify opportunities for adopting innovative approaches or tools

• Data governance - define data governance and assurance for clients

• Data lifecycle - understand and apply data governance over a data lifecycle

• Metadata management - understand and promote the use of metadata repositories 

• Data modelling - produce relevant data models across multiple subject areas

•  Data standards - refine, develop or apply and set data standards

 About the Process:

To Apply:

If you would like to express interest in this role, please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter max 2 pages highlighting your relevant experience against the essential requirements for the role.

Deadline for applications: There is no fixed closing date for this role. We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in and may close the advert once we’ve made the required number of hires, so we’d encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

First round Interviews to be scheduled: Within 5-10 days if shortlisted after the screening call

 Second round interviews & presentation: 5 days from 1st stage interview