Enterprise Data Architect - UK Hydrographic Office - G7 in Taunton

Location: Taunton

As the Enterprise Data Architect, you will champion and evolve the data architecture strategy, contributing to wider technology and business strategies that support organisational objectives. You will drive the definition and implementation of enterprise data architecture across all business divisions and lead the data architecture profession in UKHO.

As part of a wider Architecture team, you will work with Enterprise, Business and Solution Architects to ensure UKHO data is supported and enabled by the right platforms and systems, and that data is at the centre of design decisions. You will collaborate with data professionals across the business to define enterprise-wide principles and standards, and articulate what is required to achieve these. This includes recommending and shaping the use of data tools, models, and platforms to enhance how data is used, ensuring solutions support efficient business operations.

The UKHO is a data-driven organisation specialising in global maritime and marine data, supporting Safety of Life at Sea and Defence customers. Data sits at the core of our business, making the Enterprise Data Architect a critical role in achieving best practice in data management and governance, while maximising data value as we transition to a fully digital business.

UKHO is driving digital transformation through improved processes and use of innovative technology. This role offers the opportunity to work with both geospatial data and a complex commercial environment that requires sophisticated relationship management, sales, and reporting capabilities.

This job role can be worked on a hybrid basis, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, working between the office in Taunton and remotely within the UK. There will be a requirement to attend the office in line with business need.

Please note our Policy on informal hybrid working applies within the UK and does not extend to working overseas.

Part-time hours may be considered for this role (minimum of 30 hours per week).

Job description:

• Refine and deliver the UKHO Data Architecture strategy.
• Engage senior stakeholders across UKHO, MOD, wider government, and industry to ensure alignment with business, technology, and government objectives.
• Champion data architecture across UKHO, establishing standards, principles, and ways of working for the data architecture profession, and actively promote robust governance of change based on data architecture artefacts.
• Provide leadership to the data architecture community, including coaching, mentoring, task allocation, and progress oversight, while promoting knowledge sharing and best practice.
• Plan and lead the delivery of complex or non-standard work packages, supporting project teams, acting as a subject matter expert, and coordinating resources and activities.
• Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders to define, design and implement optimised data platforms and tools, delivering improved data lineage, provenance, structure, and unlocking value of UKHO data assets.
• Provide expert input to solution design, ensuring appropriate consideration of data architecture, security, resilience, and availability.
• Govern data architecture and design across solutions, identifying, escalating, and supporting the mitigation of risks and issues.

Person specification:

• You will bring significant experience in delivery of data architecture within a data-centric environment.
• You will have experience of communicating complex concepts clearly to a non-technical audience and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• You will inspire and guide others, with both direct and indirect impact on their work.
• You will have experience of applying the DAMA-DMBOK framework, particularly in data governance, data architecture, data modelling, and metadata management.
• You will have designed and developed enterprise-level data models.
• You will demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, handling complex and often ambiguous situations where multiple options must be evaluated.
• You will possess strong leadership and collaboration skills, enabling you to balance diverse stakeholder perspectives and drive optimal, pragmatic outcomes.

Technical skills:

• Development of data models - Conceptual, Logical, Physical.
• Development of data artefacts and techniques including Data Flow diagrams and State Transition diagrams.
• Definition and implementation of data standards.
• Utilisation of complex data modelling tools.