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-scale data solutions
- Contribute to shaping national and international standards relevant to genomics and research, including GA4GH, OMOP, or FHIR
Qualifications
- Proven experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale data architectures in complex, regulated environments
- Deep expertise in data modelling, metadata management, lifecycle management, and governance practices and standards
- Deep expertise and proven experience implementing modern data architecture patterns within cloud environments
- Strong experience engaging with senior stakeholders to influence and implement data strategy
- Deep 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
- Experienced in bioinformatics, genomics, healthcare, or research domains
- Knowledge of cloud and hybrid data architectures, data platforms, or data warehouses
- Familiarity with GA4GH, FHIR or other relevant industry standards
- Ability to establish data ownership, and design and implement data lifecycle management policies
- Experienced working in big data environments (petabyte scale)
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Relevant certifications in data architecture, modelling, or enterprise architecture
- Experienced applying TOGAF methodologies or equivalent enterprise architecture practices
- Knowledge of bioinformatics data structures
- Experienced with attribute-based access control and supporting tools that underpin this
- Experienced applying DAMA data architecture practices
- Practical experience modelling the data structures that underpin and support complex issues such as patient/participant consent within healthcare and research
- 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 valuable
Benefits
- Generous Leave: 30 days' holiday, plus bank holidays, plus additional leave for long service, and also the option to apply for up to 30 days of remote working abroad annually (approval required)
- Family-Friendly: Blended working arrangements, flexible working, enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave benefits
- Pension & Financial: Defined contribution pension (Genomics England double-matches up to 10%, however you can contribute more if you wish), Life Assurance (3x salary), and a Give As You Earn scheme
- Learning & Development: Individual learning budgets, support for training and certifications, and reimbursement for one annual professional subscription (approval required)
- Recognition & Rewards: Employee recognition programme and referral scheme
- Health & Wellbeing: Subsidised gym membership, a free Headspace account, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, eye tests, flu jabs
Equal Opportunities
Genomics England is actively committed to providing and supporting an inclusive environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion best practice both within our community and in any other area where we have influence. We are proud of our diverse community where everyone can come to work and feel welcomed and treated with respect regardless of any disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or social background. Genomics England’s policies of non‑discrimination and equity will be applied fairly to all people, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or recent parenthood, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation, length of service, whether full or part‑time or employed under a permanent or fixed‑term contract or any other relevant factor. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying at work.
