At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape data architecture strategy for the Ministry of Justice.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to transforming justice through data.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, hybrid working, and a personal development budget.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on data governance and architecture in a vital public sector role.
- Qualifications: Expertise in data architecture and cloud technologies, with leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 71381 - 80219 € per year.
We’ve established a dedicated Data Architecture function to support the Ministry of Justice’s growing and evolving needs—enabling the delivery of strategic and transformational priorities, such as the independent sentencing review recommendations. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a Principal Data Architect to shape the department’s architecture from the ground up. You will lead the Data Architecture strategy within one of our business areas, define how data is structured, governed, and made accessible across prisons, courts, probation, and more, and build and lead a team of talented data architects. The position reports to the Chief Data Architect and works closely with the Heads of Data teams across multiple portfolios, ensuring our data foundations are robust, interoperable, and future‑ready.
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of Data Architects, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Champion data architecture as a strategic enabler across the organisation.
- Define and embed architectural standards, principles, and patterns for data across MoJ systems.
- Oversee data model development and alignment across programmes, ensuring reusability and consistency.
- Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture and data governance frameworks.
- Represent MoJ in government‑wide data architecture communities and working groups.
- Support continuous improvement of industry standards and talent development within the profession.
Qualifications & Experience
- Deep expertise in data architecture or related fields (e.g., technical architecture, data engineering).
- Demonstrable knowledge of cloud‑based architecture (Azure, AWS, GCP) and appropriate tech stack, including open‑source tools.
- Proven experience leading technical direction and delivering data architecture solutions across large, complex organisations, with a customer‑centric mindset that aligns strategies to business outcomes.
- Ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders across technical and non‑technical domains, applying commercial and financial understanding to shape strategy.
- Track record of building, leading, and developing high‑performing technical teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
Success Profile
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Technical – demonstrable cloud‑based architecture knowledge
Salary & Benefits
- National salary range: £71,381 – £80,419
- London salary range: £75,674 – £85,257 (may include up to £17,351 allowance)
- DBS Basic Security Clearance (SC) required.
- Generous employer pension contribution of 28.97% through the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
- 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days after 5 years) plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King's birthday.
- Hybrid working arrangements available; a minimum of 60 % office time required.
- 10 % of working time allocated for personal and professional development.
- £1,000 per person learning budget for conferences, seminars, and professional development.
- Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay.
Principal Data Architect in City of Westminster employer: Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice offers an exceptional work environment for a Principal Data Architect, where you can lead and shape the data architecture strategy that supports vital public services. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, including a generous learning budget and dedicated time for professional development, you will thrive in a collaborative culture that values inclusivity and innovation. Additionally, the competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including a substantial pension contribution and flexible working arrangements, make this an attractive opportunity for those seeking meaningful and impactful employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Architect in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your projects and achievements in data architecture. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to data architecture. Think about how you can demonstrate your leadership and technical skills, especially in a collaborative environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Architect in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in data architecture and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Principal Data Architect, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role requires deep expertise in cloud-based architecture, be sure to mention your experience with Azure, AWS, or GCP. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know how you’ve successfully implemented these technologies in past roles.
Demonstrate Leadership Experience:As a Principal Data Architect, you’ll be leading a team, so it’s crucial to highlight your leadership style and any previous experience managing teams. Share examples of how you’ve fostered a collaborative culture and mentored others in your field.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Data Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your data architecture knowledge, especially around cloud-based solutions like Azure, AWS, and GCP. Be ready to discuss how you've applied architectural standards and principles in past roles, as this will show your expertise and readiness for the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team of Data Architects, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully built and mentored teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster a collaborative culture and how you've influenced others to embrace data architecture as a strategic enabler.
✨Align with Business Outcomes
Demonstrate your customer-centric mindset by discussing how your data architecture strategies have aligned with business outcomes in previous roles. This will help interviewers see that you understand the bigger picture and can effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face some technical questions during the interview. Brush up on your knowledge of data governance frameworks and enterprise architecture. Being able to articulate how you've ensured data model development aligns with these frameworks will set you apart from other candidates.
