Lead Enterprise Data Architect in Portsmouth

The Lead Enterprise Data Architect provides strategic leadership and technical direction for SGN’s data architecture, ensuring data is managed as a strategic asset. This role provides technical leadership across data platforms, AI and analytics, and integration capabilities, ensuring data is governed, resilient, high quality, and aligned to organisational and industry standards.

The Lead Enterprise Data Architect provides leadership and line management to the data architecture team, setting direction, priorities, developing the capability, and ensuring consistent and high-quality delivery across the data function. They will act as key advisor to business and technology leaders, shaping the future state of data architecture across SGN.

Here’s how you will contribute…

• Define and maintain the enterprise data architecture vision, standards, and roadmap.
• Develop target-state data architectures covering data models, data flows, master data, reference data, metadata, security, and data governance.
• Ensure alignment of data strategy with enterprise architecture, digital transformation programmes, and business objectives.
• Lead development of architectural artefacts including conceptual, logical, and physical data models.
• Provide architectural leadership for data platforms including data warehouses, data lakes, lakehouses, and integration technologies.
• Evaluate and recommend technologies, tools, and patterns (e.g., data mesh, event-driven architecture, API-first design).
• Design scalable, secure data solutions leveraging cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or Oracle).
• Ensure data architecture supports advanced analytics, BI, AI/ML, and operational reporting.
• Oversee data architecture aspects of major change initiatives and programmes.
• Produce high-quality architecture deliverables and ensure they are integrated into delivery plans.
• Review solution designs to ensure alignment with enterprise data standards.
• Troubleshoot complex data issues and provide expert-level guidance on data modelling and integration approaches.

What you will need:

• Extensive experience in establishing and developing an enterprise data architecture practice, ideally within complex organisations.
• Demonstrable technical expertise spanning:

• Cloud data platforms and ecosystems: e.g. Microsoft Azure, AWS
• Data engineering and integration: ETL/ELT, Orchestration, Batch and streaming architectures, event driven and messaging platforms, API-first design, Integration frameworks.
• Database & storage technologies: SQL Server, Oracle, NoSQL, Analytical datastores
• Data governance & compliance: data security architecture, role-based access, encryption, regulatory frameworks (GDPR, IS27001, NIST), cloud security patterns and identity management (Azure AD)
• Enterprise Architecture Frameworks: TOGAF, Zachman, DMBoK
• Engineering and Scripting credibility: SQL, Python, Git & DevOps
• Data Modelling: Conceptual, logical and physical, relational, dimensional and NoSQL, canonical and enterprise models and associated tooling.

Not sure you meet every requirement? Research shows some people – particularly women and those from underrepresented backgrounds – may hesitate to apply unless they meet every criteria. At SGN, we value diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. If this role interests you but you’re not sure you tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you. You might be just who we’re looking for – now or in the future.

Why SGN? SGN is a leader in pioneering research and development toward a net-zero energy system. Our cutting-edge technologies and innovative thinking are driving change in the gas industry, all while keeping people safe and warm. SGN is an award-winning employer, including CCA Gold Awards for Great Places to Work and Inclusivity and Accessibility. If you require any accommodations or support during the application process, reach out to us. We’re here to help ensure an inclusive and accessible experience for everyone.