Lead Data Architect

hackajob is collaborating with TPXImpact to connect them with exceptional tech professionals for this role. We are committed to having a positive impact on the clients and the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from all genders, ethnicities, disabled people, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those from lower socio‑economic backgrounds. Don’t meet 100% of the criteria? We still want to hear from you. Please let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.

About The Role

We’re looking for a Lead Data Architect to join our Technology Strategy and Architecture practice. This is a strategic role that deals with data holistically across an organisation. Lead Data Architects drive digital transformation from a data perspective, supporting clients to define the vision for data in their organisation. Lead Data Architects ensure that data is managed properly through data landscaping, data cataloguing, data design, and data standards. You will bring a pragmatic and user-centered approach to data architecture, ensuring that data architecture, governance, processes and technologies meet the needs of users and stakeholders.

In This Role, You Will

• Guide and support clients to define data strategy to align with broader organisational goals.
• Discover and document client data ecosystems and design future state enterprise data architecture.
• Champion, set standards, design governance, and define ways of working for data.
• Operate as a trusted advisor, liaising with senior client stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across design, data engineering, technology, and delivery.
• Lead smaller engagements or play a senior role on larger ones.
• Be the source of oversight and advice on data for the wider team and for the client.
• Support the development of junior colleagues while contributing to practice improvement and business development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with client stakeholders to design data strategies aligned to organisation strategy and goals.
• Analyse client data landscapes, document current-state data systems, and conduct data maturity assessments, mapping data assets, information flows and user needs.
• Design interoperable data models and solutions to meet client needs, advising on selection and implementation of data products and tools.
• Develop data standards, create data catalogues, and design governance processes to maintain data quality and usability of data.
• Facilitate workshops and interviews with clients and users to understand user needs and organisational priorities.
• Create documentation, visual artefacts and architecture diagrams including data landscapes, data flows, and catalogued data products.
• Develop prioritised roadmaps to implement data strategy, including options appraisals and evidenced recommendations.
• Advise on data capabilities and operating models, providing support to build data literacy where necessary.
• Advise on AI adoption, assessing AI readiness and guidance on data to support AI implementation.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, building trust with senior stakeholders.
• Communicate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders both in-person and through a variety of media (e.g. architectural diagrams, prose documentation, and presentations).
• Lead project workstreams or small/medium client work in data-related engagements.
• Hold and manage uncertainty and ambiguity on behalf of clients and our teams.
• Lead by example, promoting an inclusive team culture and delivering impactful value to clients.
• Contribute to the continual development of our technology and data practice.
• Mentor or line manage more junior consultants and contribute to internal learning.
• Contribute to business development and marketing activities.
• Input into bids and proposals with a focus on data-related content.
• Maintain a strong understanding of emerging trends and technologies in the data space.

Dimensions

• Budget: Awareness and influence on project budgets.
• Headcount: Line management of 0-4 mid or senior consultants, dependent on need, and leading client project teams of 0-5 people.

Complexity

• Resource complexity: Provides leadership across multiple workstreams or technical domains within a project or programme.
• Problem-solving responsibility: Resolve complex issues involving data, business processes, and user needs.
• Change management requirements: Leads change initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions in data capabilities, technology adoption and process improvements.
• Internal/External interactions: Collaborate closely with both internal teams and external clients, serving as a trusted advisor.
• Strategic timeframe working towards: Developing and implementing long-term strategy and roadmaps for clients over projects of varying lengths.

About You

Essential

• Successful track record of designing data architecture and data models.
• Experience in developing and reviewing data architecture artefacts, e.g. data landscapes, enterprise conceptual models, and data flow diagrams.
• Proven experience of implementing data governance and overseeing data lifecycles.
• Experience designing, implementing, or evaluating organisational data strategies.
• Strong verbal and written skills and experience of presenting technical concepts and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrable knowledge of a wide range of data solutions, common data platforms, and emerging data technologies, and understanding of common constraints and considerations.
• Understanding of common data modelling patterns and standards and when to apply them.
• Experience in a consultancy setting, demonstrating adaptability and responsiveness to client needs and working with stakeholders at multiple levels across the organisation.
• Experience facilitating workshops, interviews, or training with senior business stakeholders.
• Champion of user needs and user research in the context of data strategy.
• Committed to personal and professional development, staying abreast of industry trends.
• A technology and platform agnostic perspective.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Awareness of the priorities and challenges of public sector and charity sector organisations, preferably from experience working in or with public sector organisations.
• Experience leading projects or teams.

Desirable

• Setting data standards.
• Experience working in diverse, remote, and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience with agile methodologies.
• Experience line managing or mentoring junior colleagues.

Skills

• Communicating between the technical and non-technical – ability to interpret and negotiate between needs of technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking – ability to define and evaluate strategies.
• Communicating data – turn complex data into clear and well understood solutions.
• Data innovation – identify opportunities for adopting innovative approaches or tools.
• Data governance – define data governance and assurance for clients.
• Data lifecycle – understand and apply data governance over a data lifecycle.
• Metadata management – understand and promote the use of metadata repositories.
• Data modelling – produce relevant data models across multiple subject areas.
• Data standards – refine, develop or apply and set data standards.

Benefits Include

• 30 days holiday + bank holidays
• 2 volunteer days for causes that you are passionate about
• working from home allowance
• maternity/paternity - 6 months Maternity Leave, 3 months Paternity Leave
• life assurance
• employer pension contribution of 5%
• health cash plan
• personal learning and development budget
• Employee Assistance Programme
• access to equity in the business through a Share Incentive Plan
• green incentive programmes including Electric Vehicle Leasing and the Cycle to Work Scheme
• health assessments