Data Architect

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and to our people.

As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Position: Data Architect (Permanent). Locations: Manchester (£72,000‑£85,000) or Milton Keynes (£75,000‑£88,500). Working arrangements: hybrid – two days per week in the office.

Responsibilities

• Create and shape data architecture artefacts, including data models, data dictionaries and data flow diagrams.
• Work with project, product, technical and business stakeholders to translate business capabilities into practical data requirements and explain complex data decisions in clear, accessible language.
• Support data strategy and governance by contributing to standards, policies and procedures, and help teams make secure, consistent and well‑informed data decisions.
• Contribute to policies, guidelines and standards that form the data strategy and maintain them in line with business drivers and goals.
• Engage with operational, product and technical stakeholders to understand their data requirements.
• Model, describe and visualise data models across the assessment technology estate, illustrating dependencies across systems and products.
• Work with Solution Architects and Product Managers to produce a data roadmap that delivers the overall data strategy.
• Assess the landscape for opportunities where changes in data management, transformation or integration would result in business process improvements.
• Provide appropriate levels of documentation to support architectural designs.
• Collaborate with Solution Architects and development teams to ensure domain data models are delivered as per the approved designs.
• Ensure data is secured and retained for the approved periods, in consultation with the Data Protection Officer and Security teams.
• Develop business process models and flows to explain how data is created, distributed and transformed across the estate.
• Provide governance around data integrity.
• Support learning and development of other team members through mentoring and coaching.
• Manage risks in changes to production and maintain a balanced view.
• Provide product support when needed.

Qualifications

• Computing degree or equivalent level of business computing experience and/or professional accreditation (e. g., BCS).
• Experience managing and understanding domain‑level data models.
• Expert knowledge in describing domain‑level data to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent understanding of domain‑driven design and its impact on data and consistency.
• Proactive communication skills with a can‑do attitude and ability to manage your own time.
• Logical thinker capable of diagnosing, troubleshooting and coordinating resolution of complex issues.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills, able to engage with colleagues and customers at all levels.
• Ability to identify business objectives and propose innovative solutions.
• Proven ability to produce and maintain effective documentation.
• Strong ability to persuade and influence internal and external networks.
• Resilient and able to work under pressure in a fast‑moving change environment.
• Solid commercial acumen.
• Architectural leadership, driving solution implementations through to successful delivery.
• Knowledge of different types of data storage technologies and use cases.
• Experience transforming discrete service‑domain data models into a cohesive multi‑service model.
• Experience managing data across products and micro‑service based architectures.

Benefits

• 35‑hour working week with flexible, hybrid working.
• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30).
• Christmas closure days.
• Excellent pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution).
• Opportunity to work in a Microsoft and Azure environment while applying architecture concepts transferrable across cloud platforms.
• Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion.

We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes.

Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AQA is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

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