At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of a cutting-edge data architecture for market data products.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on innovative data solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with senior leaders and work in a dynamic, inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of data architecture.
- Qualifications: Experience in data modelling and cloud platforms like Google BigQuery required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
This role can be filled via fixed term contract or via daily rate (Inside IR35) via umbrella company. Initially 3 months with the potential for expansion. This role can be based in either our London or Haddenham office.
Department: Data
Location: Haddenham
Role Overview
This is a focused, high‑value engagement to lead the data architecture of Defaqto's redesigned market data model. We have an initial view of the logical structure we need, and we are looking for an experienced architect to test, challenge, and refine that thinking – then translate it into a signed‑off logical model and implementation recommendations for the CTO and Head of Data to act on.
Key Responsibilities
- Logical model design for the market data product estate – core entities, relationships, and attributes
- Technology implementation recommendation – physical implementation approach suited to the existing stack, presented to CTO and Head of Data
- Compatibility view specification for research platform continuity during transition
- Business rule formalisation for deduplication, ratings hierarchy, and attribute priority logic
- Stakeholder workshops and sign‑off facilitation
- Data dictionary and handover documentation
Essential Requirements Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Demonstrable experience leading logical and physical data model design for analytical data warehouses
- Strong command of entity‑relationship modelling, normalisation, and dimensional design
- Experience with cloud data warehouse platforms – Google BigQuery is the existing lakehouse technology; hands‑on experience with BigQuery or equivalent (Snowflake, Redshift, Databricks) is expected
- Ability to produce technology‑agnostic logical models and translate them into well‑reasoned implementation recommendations
- Proven ability to facilitate workshops with mixed technical and non‑technical stakeholders and produce signed‑off artefacts
- Experience producing data dictionaries and technical documentation to a standard usable by engineering teams
- Comfortable presenting architecture options and trade‑offs to senior technology leadership
- Ability to work independently and manage delivery to milestone‑based timelines
Desirable Requirements
- Experience in financial services, insurance, or fintech data domains
- Familiarity with dbt – sufficient to design a schema that a dbt‑based transformation layer can implement effectively
- Experience designing compatibility or migration layers for legacy platform transitions
- Exposure to data cataloguing tools (Google Dataplex, DataHub, Atlan)
- Understanding of product data or market intelligence data structures
- Experience working within a phased, non‑big‑bang migration approach
Benefits
This is a hybrid working role usually with 2 days each week in the office – office base can be London or Haddenham. From time‑to‑time if there are workshops, you may need to be in the office more frequently.
Right to Work
Applicants must already hold a legal right to work in the UK without time restrictions and without the need for future sponsorship. We are unable to provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Fintel plc and all the businesses within it adopt a zero‑tolerance approach to discrimination on any of the protected grounds in the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all current and prospective employees regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse workforce because, in our view, diversity enables better business outcomes. We also believe that a more inclusive workplace, where people of different backgrounds work together, ensures better outcomes for all staff. From application to interview, we place inclusion at the heart of all we do.
Data Architect in London employer: Defaqto
Defaqto is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering hybrid working arrangements from either our London or Haddenham office. We prioritise employee growth through meaningful projects, such as leading the data architecture for our market data model, while providing opportunities to engage with senior leadership and contribute to impactful decisions. Our commitment to diversity and equal opportunities ensures a supportive environment where every team member can thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Architect in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data field, especially those who might know about opportunities at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a referral, which is often the golden ticket to landing an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to data architecture. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable discussing your experience and how it aligns with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your previous projects, especially those involving logical and physical data model design. This will give potential employers a clear view of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Architect in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with data architecture and cloud platforms like Google BigQuery. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific projects where you led logical and physical data model design. We love seeing concrete examples of your work, especially if they relate to analytical data warehouses.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, as this will help us quickly understand your fit for the role. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Defaqto
✨Know Your Data Models
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of logical and physical data models. Be ready to discuss your experience with entity-relationship modelling and how you've applied it in past projects. This will show that you can not only understand the existing architecture but also challenge and refine it effectively.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Google BigQuery
Since Google BigQuery is the existing lakehouse platform, having hands-on experience or at least a solid understanding of it will be crucial. Prepare to discuss how you've used similar cloud data warehouse platforms and how you would approach implementation recommendations.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
This role involves facilitating workshops with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Think about examples from your past where you've successfully navigated these discussions and produced signed-off artefacts. Being able to communicate complex ideas simply will set you apart.
✨Showcase Your Documentation Skills
You'll need to produce data dictionaries and technical documentation, so be prepared to talk about your experience in this area. Bring examples if possible, and highlight how your documentation has been beneficial for engineering teams in the past.
