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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative data architectures for financial crime transformation.
- Company: Join a major financial institution modernising its data foundations.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of transforming financial crime capabilities with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in data architecture, especially in cloud and event-driven environments.
- Other info: Permanent role based in London, with flexibility to work from home.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Lead Data Architect – Cloud | Event-Driven | Financial Crime Transformation – London/Edinburgh (Hybrid)
We’re supporting a major financial institution as they modernise the data foundations underpinning their Financial Crime capabilities. This is a unique opportunity to own and define the architectural vision for one of the bank’s most sensitive and high-profile domains driving transformation at scale across an evolving enterprise data landscape.
Operating within the Financial Crime technology organisation, this role blends deep technical expertise with strategic influence. While firmly rooted in technology, it has a significant business-facing component shaping and steering the architecture with stakeholders across risk, compliance, operations, and regulatory engagement.
What You’ll Do
- Define and own the end-to-end data architecture strategy for Financial Crime
- Design cloud-native, event-driven architectures that enable scale, resilience, and real-time insights
- Champion architectural modernisation, from legacy data estates to streaming-first, modular platforms
- Promote modern data architecture approaches such as data mesh, data federation, and data as a product.
- Represent architecture in senior governance forums and influence enterprise-wide strategy
- Lead design conversations, challenge thinking, and bring clarity to ambiguous problem spaces
- Collaborate cross-functionally with business, product, engineering, and regulatory stakeholders
What We’re Looking For
- Extensive experience as a Lead or Principal Data Architect in complex enterprise environments
- Demonstrable thought leadership across data lifecycle management, from data creation to governance
- Deep expertise in AWS cloud, event-driven architecture, and streaming technologies like Kafka
- Familiarity with data tooling such as Snowflake, Databricks, S3, and broader ecosystem awareness
- Strong grasp of architectural frameworks (e.g., TOGAF) and enterprise design principles
- Confident communicator with the ability to engage exec-level audiences and cross-functional stakeholders
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity and leading architecture in domains undergoing rapid simplification and re-platforming
- Prior experience in Financial Services or Financial Crime is beneficial, but not essential, core architecture credentials and the ability to operate at scale are what matter most
This is a permanent role based in London with hybrid working (2–3 days in the office)
Lead Data Architect employer: Qurated
Contact Detail:
Qurated Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Architect
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in data architecture, especially around cloud-native and event-driven systems. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying current in a rapidly evolving field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the financial services sector, particularly those involved in data architecture. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've influenced architectural decisions in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to navigate complex environments and engage with stakeholders will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of regulatory requirements and compliance issues related to financial crime. Being able to articulate how architecture can support these areas will demonstrate your strategic thinking and relevance to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience as a Lead or Principal Data Architect. Focus on your expertise in AWS cloud, event-driven architecture, and any relevant technologies like Kafka, Snowflake, or Databricks.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for modernising data architecture within the financial sector. Mention specific examples of how you've influenced architectural strategies and collaborated with cross-functional teams.
Showcase Thought Leadership: Demonstrate your thought leadership in data lifecycle management by discussing your approach to data governance and architectural frameworks like TOGAF. This will show your strategic influence in previous roles.
Prepare for Interviews: Anticipate questions about navigating ambiguity and leading architecture transformations. Be ready to discuss your experiences in complex enterprise environments and how you’ve tackled challenges in financial crime or similar domains.
How to prepare for a job interview at Qurated
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your extensive experience with AWS cloud, event-driven architecture, and streaming technologies like Kafka. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully implemented these technologies, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the technical demands of the role.
✨Demonstrate Thought Leadership
Prepare examples that showcase your thought leadership in data lifecycle management and architectural frameworks. Discuss how you've influenced architectural strategies in previous roles, particularly in complex enterprise environments, to illustrate your ability to drive transformation.
✨Engage with Business Stakeholders
Since this role has a significant business-facing component, practice articulating technical concepts in a way that resonates with non-technical stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams, including risk and compliance, to align architectural vision with business goals.
✨Prepare for Governance Discussions
Familiarise yourself with governance frameworks and be ready to discuss how you've represented architecture in senior forums. Think about how you can influence enterprise-wide strategy and bring clarity to ambiguous problem spaces, as this will be crucial in your new role.
