Head of Data & Integration Architecture

Operating at SFIA Level 7 (Set Strategy, Inspire, and Mobilise), this role is instrumental in shaping how data is collected, managed, shared, and leveraged across systems and stakeholders to support operational efficiency, passenger experience, safety, and innovation.

The role provides enterprise leadership in developing data strategies, integration platforms, and information governance models that enable seamless, secure, and real-time data exchange across critical systems including baggage, security, airside/landside operations, terminal management, and passenger services. This includes driving the adoption of a robust data architecture, API-led connectivity, and event-driven integration patterns aligned with the airport's digital ambitions.

Working closely with senior leaders in Digital, IT, Operations, and Commercial, the Head of Data & Integration Architecture provides thought leadership in delivering a modern, scalable, and intelligent data foundation to support advanced analytics, AI, digital twins, and smart airport initiatives. The role oversees data and integration architectural governance, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, data privacy, and cybersecurity standards. The postholder leads a team of architects and collaborates with technology partners and suppliers to embed best-in-class data and integration practices, enabling an agile, connected airport environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development of enterprise data and integration architecture strategy, aligned to business and operational goals.
• Defining and govern the implementation of data and integration principles, standards and models.
• Driving the adoption of common data models, integration platforms (e.g. ESB, iPaaS), and API-first architectures.
• Supporting the development of a connected airport vision through real-time data exchange, event-driven architectures, and digital twins.
• Ensuring integration architectures meet scalability, resilience, security, and compliance requirements.
• Providing architectural leadership for the design and delivery of data platforms, data lakes, and master data management solutions.
• Engaging with senior stakeholders to embed data and integration architecture within major transformation and capital programmes.
• Leading, mentoring, and developing a team of data and integration architects, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.

Qualifications

• Creating an enterprise-wide data integration strategy for a FTSE250 or equivalent company.
• Leading a high performing team of architects in the integration and/or data space.
• Experience of building, maintaining and influencing relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Ideally, you’ll have:

• Supporting the creation of a Centre for Excellence around integration in a complex business environment.
• TOGAF/Zachmann.

Our rewards include competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too.

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger - not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.