Head of Strategy and Architecture, Data Platforms Domain

Join us as the Head of Strategy and Architecture, Data Platforms Domain. This is an opportunity for an experienced and dynamic data Architect to lead the definition and implementation of the target data strategy for the Data Platforms Domain within Wealth Chief Digital Information Office (WCDIO).

Working with the wider Data Architecture community across the NatWest Group, you will be responsible for defining, agreeing and maintaining the data strategy and implementation roadmap for WCDIO technology domain, ensuring Group-wide alignment in the context of the specific needs of the Wealth system and business landscape.

You will engage with and drive collaboration across stake-holding groups, translating their needs into data architecture solutions, adapting the roadmap and components to realise business value. This role is available as either full time, compressed hours or part time with a minimum of 28 working hours. You will work from home some of the time, but you will also spend at least five to ten days a month working from our London or Bristol office.

What you will do:

• You will influence the development of data strategies at an organisational level, identifying transformational opportunities for the businesses and technology areas associated with both new and existing technologies.
• You will define and communicate the current, resultant and target state architecture, ensuring that the architecture links to, and is informed by, the overall organisational strategy and architecture, producing intended outcomes.
• You will represent the WCDIO data domain at enterprise-level governance and architecture forums.
• You will translate architecture roadmaps into packages of work that allow frequent incremental delivery of value to be included in the product backlog.
• You will play a pivotal role in Change teams, owning the delivery of data architecture products.
• You will define, create and maintain architecture models, roadmaps, standards and outcomes, using architecture strategies to ensure alignment to adjacent and higher-level models.

The skills you will need:

• You will have a strong understanding of data-mesh design strategy and experience of transitioning data warehousing installations to the paradigm, deploying the right data strategy component to address differing use cases.
• You will have excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including executives, technical teams, and business leaders, excelling at translating business requirements to data solutions.
• You will have excellent leadership skills, demonstrating how you inspire and motivate teams to success.
• You will bring a highly developed understanding of the Data Management requirements of regulated Financial Services firms.
• You will have a proven track record of setting data strategies and delivering data architecture change to meet defined outcomes, deploying the best strategic technology components to accelerate business value realisation.
• You will have relevant qualifications and experience, demonstrating a robust understanding of the pros and cons of differing data interface and residency patterns.
• You will possess strong analytical and hands-on problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed decisions under pressure and guide teams through complex architecture delivery challenges, balancing shorter-term business needs with strategic aims.
• You will have familiarity with Avaloq Core Platform and associated proprietary technologies.
• You will understand industry architecture frameworks, such as TOGAF and ArchiMate.
• You will have a good understanding of Agile with experience of working across Agile teams.
• You will have knowledge of hardware, software, application, and systems engineering.