Lead Data Architect

We're looking for a Lead Data Architect to join our Technology Strategy and Architecture practice. This strategic role deals with data holistically across an organization. Lead Data Architects drive digital transformation from a data perspective, supporting clients to define the vision for data in their organization. They ensure 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. You will operate as a trusted advisor, liaising with senior client stakeholders, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across design, data engineering, technology and delivery, and leading smaller engagements or playing a senior role on larger ones. You will also support the development of junior colleagues while contributing to practice improvement and business development.

In This Role, You Will:

• Guide and support clients to define data strategy to align with broader organisational strategy.
• 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.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with client stakeholders to design data strategies aligned to organisation strategy and goal.
• 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, holding responsibilities for an inclusive team culture, and how projects deliver the most impact and value to our 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.

Professional Knowledge and Experience:

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.

Behaviours and PACT values:

• Purpose: Be values‑driven, recognising that our client's needs are paramount. Approach client engagements with professionalism and creativity, balancing commercial and operational needs.
• Accountability: Be accountable for delivering your part of a project on time and under budget and working well with other leaders. Lead by example, promoting a culture where quality and client experience are foremost.
• Craft: Balance multiple priorities while leading high‑performing teams. Navigate ambiguity and set the technical direction and approach to support positive outcomes.
• Togetherness: Collaborate effectively with others across TPXimpact. Build strong relationships with colleagues and clients.

We are committed to having a positive impact on the clients and the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from women, disabled, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates and historically under‑represented groups.

About The Process: To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter up to 2 pages highlighting your relevant experience against the essential requirements for the role. Deadline for applications: 11:59pm on 4th January. Screening calls: w/c 5th Jan & w/c 12th Jan. First round interviews: w/c 12th Jan & w/c 19th Jan. Second round interviews & presentation: w/c 19th Jan & w/c 26th Jan.

About Us: We're a purpose‑driven organisation, supporting organisations to build a better future for people, places and the planet. Combining vast experience in the public, private and third sectors and expertise in human‑centred design, data, experience and technology, we’re creating sustainable solutions ready for an ever‑evolving world. At the heart of TPXimpact, we are collaborative and empathetic. We are a team of passionate people who care deeply about the work we do and the impact we have in the world. We know that change happens through people, with people and for people. That’s why we believe in people‑powered transformation. Working in close collaboration with our clients, we seek to understand their unique challenges, questioning assumptions and building in their teams the capabilities and confidence to continue learning, iterating and adapting.

Benefits Include:

• 30 days holiday + bank holidays
• 2 volunteer days for causes that you are passionate about
• 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
• Financial advice
• Health assessments

About TPXimpact – Digital Transformation: We drive fundamental change in approaches to product and service development, delivery and technology. Our agile, multidisciplinary teams use technology, design and data to deliver better results, improving outcomes for individuals, organisations and communities. By working in the open, in partnership with our clients, we do not only transform their systems and services but also build the capability of their teams, so work can continue without us in the longer term. Our focus is sustainable change, always delivered with positive impact.

We’re an Inclusive Employer: We’re an inclusive employer and we care about diversity in our teams. Let us know in your application if you have accessibility requirements during the interview.