Principal Data & AI Architect

A career without limits. As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain. It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris. This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues. So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far–flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make. We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.

The Role: You’ll be part of the Operations Delivery Intelligence (ODI) directorate, acting as a technical leader and visionary for data and AI across your assigned business areas. This team plays a critical role in ensuring that data assets, architectures and analytics products are fit for purpose, aligned to business strategy, and delivering measurable value to the airline.

What You’ll Do:

• Set the data and AI product and architecture roadmap for your assigned business areas.
• Proactively identify opportunities for business change supported by data and analytics and drive these through to delivery.
• Ensure all data architecture activity aligns with business vision, goals and core data standards.
• Work with other Data & AI Architects to ensure data assets and architectures are consistent and joined‑up across British Airways.
• Identify and resolve cross‑portfolio dependencies and architectural issues.
• Provide deep expertise in business domains, associated data areas and analytical techniques.
• Lead the production, quality and timely delivery of architectural designs and artefacts.
• Develop, document and maintain current and future state data architectures and data models.
• Balance architectural recommendations with practical solutions, creating transition roadmaps to realise the target state.
• Support stakeholders in understanding and adopting data architecture artefacts.
• Liaise closely with Group IT, service partners and suppliers where data architecture decisions are required.
• Coach, support and develop colleagues within the Data & AI community.
• Follow and promote agreed data architecture methods, tools and standards.

What You’ll Bring To British Airways:

• Strong technical leadership with the ability to influence data and AI strategy.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, operating confidently across senior business and IT audiences.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to structure arguments and make the case for change using data.
• Ability to remain positive and make sound decisions in ambiguous environments.
• Agile and adaptable approach to change.
• Clear, concise and articulate communication style.
• Open‑minded and collaborative approach to problem solving.
• Practical and pragmatic approach to architecture and delivery.

Your Experience:

• Excellent SQL development expertise – Teradata, Oracle or Snowflake (Essential).
• Experienced and confident leadership of architecture activities within the area of Data and Business Intelligence (Essential).
• Excellent Communication Skills (Essential).
• Good Knowledge of cloud technologies e.g. AWS, Snowflake, etc. (Preferred).
• Good People Management skills (Desirable).
• Numeric Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Sciences or equivalent (Desirable).

What We Offer: We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted 'Hotline' airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family. At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress. We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.

Inclusion & Diversity: At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work. Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.