Data Architect - Central Government

We are seeking a Data Architect to lead the design and delivery of secure, cloud-based data platforms for UK Central Government departments. The role combines architectural strategy with delivery oversight – shaping target-state architectures while ensuring they are implemented pragmatically within regulated, security-conscious environments. This position will suit an architect who can move comfortably between traditional enterprise data approaches and modern patterns such as lakehouse, streaming, data mesh and ML-enabled platforms – and who values clarity, governance and technical rigour. Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance (existing SC clearance desirable).

What experience you'll bring:

• Leadership: Recent experience as a Lead Data Architect / Data Solutions Architect or equivalent senior role. Demonstrated ownership of end-to-end data platform design and delivery. Experience operating in consulting, systems integration, or delivery partner roles. Experience working within UK Central Government or ALBs strongly preferred.
• Modern and Enterprise Data Architecture: You should have practical architecture experience across both established enterprise approaches and modern data patterns, including: Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, and/or SageMaker (multi-platform experience advantageous). Data lake and lakehouse architectures. Event-driven and streaming architectures. Data Mesh and/or Data Fabric principles (applied pragmatically, not theoretically). Data product-oriented design approaches. You understand where traditional patterns remain appropriate – and where modern approaches add measurable value. Strong knowledge of distributed processing (e.g. Apache Spark). Familiarity with Hadoop ecosystem components. Working knowledge of SQL and NoSQL technologies. Understanding of ETL/ELT design trade-offs. Awareness of DevOps practices and CI/CD for data platforms. Understanding of how ML/AI workloads integrate into data architectures. Hands‑on coding ability (e.g. Python, Java, R) is beneficial but not required.
• Governance, Security and Data Management: Experience designing within structured architectural governance frameworks. Familiarity with government assurance processes and design authorities. Strong understanding of data governance frameworks and metadata management. Experience designing for GDPR and UK public sector data protection requirements. Appreciation of infrastructure considerations and security boundaries in regulated cloud environments.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to influence architectural direction at senior stakeholder level. Clear and structured communicator — able to explain trade-offs and risks. Experience leading and mentoring architects and engineers. Comfortable operating within programme governance structures. Familiarity with Agile delivery models (SAFe, Scrum, Kanban).

Who we are: We’re a business with a global reach that empowers local teams, and we undertake hugely exciting work that is genuinely changing the world. Our advanced portfolio of consulting, applications, business process, cloud, and infrastructure services will allow you to achieve great things by working with brilliant colleagues, and clients, on exciting projects. Our inclusive work environment prioritises mutual respect, accountability, and continuous learning for all our people. This approach fosters collaboration, well‑being, growth, and agility, leading to a more diverse, innovative, and competitive organisation. We are also proud to share that we have a range of Inclusion Networks such as: the Women’s Business Network, Cultural and Ethnicity Network, LGBTQ+ & Allies Network, Neurodiversity Network and the Parent Network. We offer a range of tailored benefits that support your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. Our Learning and Development team ensure that there are continuous growth and development opportunities for our people. We also offer the opportunity to have flexible work options.