At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data architecture projects and assess current systems for a major government contract.
- Company: Specialist UK organisation with exciting new government projects.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid work, and potential for extension.
- Other info: Join a small team where your hands-on approach will shine.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of data solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in data architecture, integration, and cloud environments required.
I'm looking for an experienced Interim Data Solutions Architect for an assignment with a specialist UK organisation that has recently secured a significant long-term government contract. The business is now moving through the mobilisation period ahead of operational go-live next year. They know what they have committed to deliver and already have proposals from specialist technology suppliers covering elements of the future environment.
What they need now is someone independent to come in and establish:
- What do we have today?
- What needs to change to support the new contract?
- Is what's being proposed technically appropriate?
- What's the most sensible way of getting there?
This is not a high-level data strategy exercise, nor is it a role simply implementing a predefined solution. You'll need to get underneath the existing environment and understand how data currently moves through the organisation, the systems and processes supporting it, where the gaps and risks sit, and how that compares with the future operational requirements. From there, you'll help define the target state and provide a practical roadmap for getting there.
The environment will involve a mixture of cloud technology, data integration, operational data, geospatial/GIS, imagery and video, alongside existing business systems and external technology partners. The organisation has already received a detailed proposal from a specialist supplier, so part of the assignment will be independently assessing the proposed architecture and identifying whether it is appropriate, proportionate and complete. You'll also help the business understand what capability it should realistically own internally and where specialist external support makes more sense.
I'm particularly interested in people who can demonstrate experience across:
- Current-state data and technology discovery
- Data flows, integration and solution architecture
- Target-state architecture and solution design
- Cloud data environments
- Assessing existing systems and technical capability
- Reviewing and challenging supplier solutions
- Translating operational requirements into technical solutions
- Identifying architectural gaps, risks and dependencies
- Producing practical implementation roadmaps
- Advising senior non-technical stakeholders
Experience with geospatial/GIS, ArcGIS/Esri, imagery, video, sensor or other complex operational data would be particularly interesting, but I don't want to restrict the search purely to GIS specialists. This is a relatively small organisation, so I'm looking for somebody who can be pragmatic and hands-on rather than introducing unnecessary enterprise complexity.
Ultimately, the MD needs someone who can understand the requirement, understand what exists today, assess what is already being proposed and give them a clear view of:
- This is what you have.
- This is what you need.
- These are the gaps.
- And this is what I would do next.
£650-£850 per day | East Midlands / Hybrid | Initial 4-8 week engagement, with potential to extend.
If you've personally delivered this kind of discovery → architecture → recommendation → roadmap assignment before, I'd be interested in speaking.
Data Solutions Architect in Nottingham employer: SF Partners
SF Partners is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and entrepreneurial work culture that prioritises employee development and impact. With ambitious growth plans and a commitment to investing in its people, this Private Equity backed business provides unique opportunities for career advancement, particularly for finance professionals looking to transition into leadership roles. The hybrid working model further enhances work-life balance, making it an attractive place for talented individuals to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Solutions Architect in Nottingham
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We think you need these skills to ace Data Solutions Architect in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Data Projects:When applying for a temporary data science role at SF Partners, make sure to showcase any relevant projects you've worked on. Whether it's a personal project, an academic undertaking, or contributions to an open-source initiative, detailing these experiences can really set you apart and demonstrate your practical skills.
Emphasise Your Analytical Skills:In your CV and cover letter, focus on the specific analytical skills that are key to data science. Mention any experience with statistical tools, programming languages like Python or R, and data visualisation software. Don't forget to include any certifications that may bolster your expertise!
Show Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, it's important to convey your adaptability and willingness to learn. In your cover letter to SF Partners, emphasise how quickly you can get up to speed with new tools or projects. Highlight any previous experiences where you've had to adjust to new environments or challenges.
Craft a Unique Data-Driven Cover Letter:Instead of the usual generic cover letter, spice it up with some data! Maybe you’ve improved a process by 20% in a past role or cleaned a dataset with over a million entries. Use these stats to your advantage to grab SF Partners’s attention and show the tangible impact of your work.
How to prepare for a job interview at SF Partners
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
For a data science gig, it's crucial to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Be ready to discuss previous projects and the methodologies you used. Think about how you can quantify your impact—did your analysis improve efficiency or save costs? These are the stories that will stick with interviewers at SF Partners.
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
You might face technical questions on tools relevant to data science, like Python, R, or SQL. Prepare to solve a problem live—perhaps they'll ask you to write a simple query or code snippet. It’s cool to talk about them, but we need to show we can do it in practice, especially in a temporary role where quick results matter.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new tools or workflows. Share examples of how you've thrived in fast-paced environments before, and how you can hit the ground running at SF Partners.
✨Prepare a Portfolio of Your Work
Bring your portfolio to the table—showcase projects where you've leveraged data science techniques to solve problems. Whether it’s a GitHub repository or a set of case studies, having tangible examples of your work will help you stand out and show what you bring to the team at SF Partners.
