Data Architect - 12 Month FTC (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds and London)

Overview

Data Architect – 12 Month FTC (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds and London)

Genomics England is seeking an accomplished Data Architect to shape how Genomics England designs, manages, and uses data across the organisation. This senior role reports to the Director Architecture within the Technology and Product Directorate and defines standards, patterns, and principles ensuring data is secure, high-quality, and accessible for healthcare and research teams, aligned with our technology strategy and architecture vision. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, guiding projects and influencing the design and delivery of enterprise-scale data solutions, supporting squads, products, and services to adopt best practices across lifecycle management, metadata, integration, and analytics, while contributing to industry standards such as GA4GH, OMOP, or FHIR.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and evolution of the organisation’s data architecture, including data models, metadata systems, and data integration platforms
• Ensure that data solutions meet business, research, security, and regulatory requirements, and are deliverable within the constraints of skills, resources, and budget
• Act as the subject matter expert on data management and modelling, providing guidance across projects and to other architects
• Develop and maintain data architecture standards, patterns, and reusable artefacts to streamline delivery and ensure consistency
• Communicate data strategy and roadmaps clearly to senior stakeholders, demonstrating how data architecture supports services, products, and organisational goals
• Oversee the management of data dictionaries, lifecycle policies, archiving, and decommissioning strategies
• Ensure squads are aware of and work to the standards set by Information Governance, Security, and the Architecture chapter
• Collaborate with technology partners and vendors to inform roadmaps and influence enterprise data solutions
• Contribute to national and international standards relevant to genomics and research, including GA4GH, OMOP, or FHIR

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale data architectures in complex or regulated environments
• Deep knowledge of data modelling, metadata management, lifecycle management, and governance practices
• Strong experience engaging with senior stakeholders to influence and implement data strategy
• Expertise in documenting, communicating, and implementing data roadmaps and solutions
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a temperament that builds trust across technical and non-technical teams
• Ability to balance strategic and tactical considerations in architecture decisions
• Experience in bioinformatics, genomics, healthcare, or research domains
• Knowledge of cloud and hybrid data architectures, data platforms, or data warehouses
• Familiarity with GA4GH, OMOP, FHIR or other relevant industry standards
• Ability to establish data ownership, design data lifecycle management policies and implement these.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Relevant certifications in data architecture, modelling, or enterprise architecture
• Experience applying TOGAF methodologies or equivalent enterprise architecture practices
• Knowledge of bioinformatics data structures
• Experience of attribute-based access control and tools that can be used to underpin this
• Practical experience of modelling the data structures to underpin complex issues such as patient/participant consent to healthcare and research

So, if you’re a highly proven and motivated Data Architect, who thrives on shaping strategy and delivering enterprise-scale solutions, this is your chance to make a genuine impact here at Genomics England!

Qualifications

• BSc in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience
• Relevant architecture or data certifications are desirable; TOGAF certification is highly valued

Additional Information

Please Note: This is a 12-Month FTC (Fixed Term Contract)

Salary From: £88,500

Closing Date: Thursday 11th December at 23:00 (UK time)

Equal opportunities

Genomics England is actively committed to providing and supporting an inclusive environment that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion best practice. We are proud of our diverse community where everyone can come to work and feel welcomed and treated with respect regardless of disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or social background. We apply non-discrimination and equity policies fairly to all people and support adjustments in recruitment processes as needed.

Culture and Benefits

• Blended working model with flexibility; most roles expect to come into the office a minimum of 2 times each month (location-based variations apply)
• Generous Leave: 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, long-service leave, and option to apply for remote working abroad
• Pension & Financial: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions, Life Assurance, Give As You Earn
• Learning & Development: Individual learning budgets, support for training and certifications, and annual professional subscription reimbursement
• Recognition & Rewards: Employee recognition programme and referral scheme
• Health & Wellbeing: Subsidised gym membership, Headspace access, and Employee Assistance Programme

Office locations: Cambridge, Leeds, London

Onboarding background checks: DBS checks required where applicable for recruitment in healthcare settings.