Lead Data Architect in London

We’re partnering with a mission-led international technology organisation undergoing a major phase of growth and evolution in its data capability. The business operates at global scale, supports complex decision-making environments, and is now looking for a senior data leader who can modernise architecture, elevate insight generation, and help shape the next era of AI-enabled data interpretation.

The organisation already has solid foundations in place. The challenge now is scaling intelligently, moving from reactive reporting toward proactive, commercially valuable insight generation across product, engineering, and leadership teams.

The Opportunity

This is a high-impact role sitting at the intersection of strategy, leadership, and hands-on technical execution. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys owning the full data landscape, from strategic direction through to technical implementation. You’ll lead a small but growing team while remaining deeply involved in architecture, modelling, pipeline quality, ingestion strategy, and the evolution of AI-enhanced data capabilities.

A major focus for the business is exploring how AI can improve interpretation and usability of data, not simply automate query workflows. They’re looking for someone genuinely curious and experimental in this space, with strong opinions on how modern data functions should evolve.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Defining and evolving the organisation’s data strategy
• Owning data architecture and platform direction
• Improving ingestion pipelines, quality, governance, and scalability
• Driving a shift from reactive reporting to proactive insight generation
• Partnering closely with product and engineering teams
• Embedding stronger commercial thinking into data infrastructure decisions
• Mentoring and developing a small data team
• Helping shape the future structure of the wider data function
• Exploring AI-enabled approaches to data interpretation and decision support

What They’re Looking For

Essential Experience

• Proven experience leading or owning a modern data function
• Strong technical depth across architecture, modelling, pipelines, and ingestion
• Experience scaling data capability in a growing environment
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Commercial mindset with the ability to influence decision-making
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering and product teams
• Previous leadership or team management experience

Particularly Interesting Backgrounds

• Data leaders who have modernised or rebuilt data platforms
• Candidates experimenting with AI-enabled analytics or interpretation layers
• Strong generalists rather than narrow specialists
• Individuals who combine technical credibility with business thinking
• Builders who can create structure and maturity without heavy bureaucracy
• Industry background is intentionally open — the focus is on mindset, capability, and leadership style rather than sector experience.

Team & Environment

• High-calibre, collaborative leadership team
• International user/customer base
• Roughly 50-person organisation
• Strong growth trajectory
• Significant visibility and influence across the business
• Clear progression path toward broader data leadership responsibilities over time

Interview Process

• Introductory screening conversation
• Leadership & management interview
• Technical architecture deep dive
• Executive stakeholder meetings