At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and evolve enterprise-wide data architecture while leading strategic initiatives.
- Company: Join Co-op, a member-owned organisation focused on community and purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, 28+ days holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving data transformation and influencing key decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in enterprise-scale data architecture and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
Principal Data Architect
£80,000 – £90,000 plus great benefits (Work level 4)
Manchester city centre – in this role you’ll work in a hybrid way splitting your time between home and the office once or twice per month (find out more about our hybrid working policy at https://jobs. coop. co. uk/hybrid-working-policy).
We’re open to applications from people who may require flexible working arrangements.
There’ll be an opportunity to discuss your flexible working requirements during the interview process, and at offer stage.
We’re reshaping our Digital, Technology and Data function for the future, creating new opportunities, strengthening our capability, and building clearer, more resilient ways of working so we can deliver even better services for our Co-op, our colleagues, members and customers.
At Co-op, data helps us make better decisions, create better experiences and deliver more value for our members, customers and colleagues.
We’re looking for a Principal Data Architect to help shape the future of protect, understand, manage and exploit the value of data across our organisation, combining strategic thinking with deep technical expertise to guide our data transformation.
Why this role matters
As a senior leader in our data community, you’ll influence decisions across the business, provide architectural direction on major initiatives and help grow our capability through coaching, collaboration and the sharing of best practice.
By creating strong foundations for how we manage and use data, you’ll help unlock value across Co-op now and in the future.
- What you’ll do
- Shape and evolve Co-op’s enterprise-wide data architecture, including conceptual, logical and physical data models
- A data architecture operating model and agentic AI enablement as a strategic driver
- Provide data leadership and architectural guidance across strategic programmes, transformation initiatives and complex data projects
- Partner with engineering, platform, solution architects and business teams to deliver secure, scalable and sustainable data solutions
- Coach and mentor data architects and specialists, helping to grow capability and strengthen our data architecture community
- Influence data platform strategy, governance and long-term investment decisions
- Data & Ai platform solution design and hands on logical & low level design
- What you’ll bring
We’re committed to making our roles as accessible as possible, so we only ask for the minimum criteria. To thrive here, you’ll need to bring:
- Experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale data architecture, with expertise across data modelling, governance, integration and strategy
- Strong architectural judgement, with the ability to balance business value, technical complexity, risk, cost and compliance considerations
- Practical MDM and metadata management experience, specifically Databricks/Lakehouse platform
- Experience providing technical leadership and influencing decisions across large-scale programmes, transformation initiatives and diverse stakeholder groups
- A collaborative approach, with a passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, practical guidance.
- A strategic mindset and genuine enthusiasm for shaping the future of data and driving positive change across an organisation
We know some people may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every requirement.
At Co-op, we’re committed to building diverse and inclusive teams, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we still encourage you to apply.
Why Co-op?
At Co-op, we’re owned by our members.
And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you.
So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement.
We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose.
- We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:
- An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
- 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
- A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
- Private healthcare
- Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ)
- 30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands
- Stream – early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
- Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice
- 24/7 colleague support service
- Training and support for your development and career progression
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- A place you’ll belong
We’re building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work.
We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job.
If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.
Learn more about our recruitment process at jobs. coop. co. uk/apply-process and our inclusion commitments at jobs. coop. co. uk/diversity-inclusion.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Principal Data Architect in Manchester employer: InnovateHer
Edwards Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a culture of trust and accountability that fosters innovation and lifelong learning. Located in Bristol, the company provides a hybrid working arrangement, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for career growth, making it an ideal place for Controls Engineers to thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Architect in Manchester
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like InnovateHer!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Principal Data Architect at InnovateHer.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like InnovateHer.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Principal Data Architect at InnovateHer, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Architect in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at InnovateHer, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at InnovateHer. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at InnovateHer
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at InnovateHer!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
