At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data architecture for a high-volume online marketplace and drive technology transformation.
- Company: Fast-paced scale-up in the tech industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive contract, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for impactful work.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for significant career growth and influence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data strategy and optimise GCP tools for real-world impact.
- Qualifications: Senior solutions architect experience with GCP and expertise in data modelling.
Contract, outside IR35. Starting as soon as possible.
The engagement:
You’ll own the data architecture for a high-volume online marketplace, leading a major, multi-year technology transformation. The current stack runs entirely on Google Cloud Platform: BigQuery for storage and consumption, DBT for transformations, and Data Stream. Reporting is on Looker today, and moving the business toward a self-service reporting model is a core goal. There is deep architecture work in front of you. The business doesn’t yet have a defined data strategy, and BigQuery consumption costs are climbing rapidly. Optimising data models and building in aggressive cost-management structures is a live, day-one priority, not a future consideration. You will have full ownership to step in, define direction, and implement immediate optimisation across our GCP estate. You’ll also shape structural change. The data team currently sits under Finance and is fragmented; part of your remit will be advising on how we bring it under technical leadership. Additionally, data scientists are being introduced on the seller side to support seller attraction and analytics. A larger data transformation is expected further down the line.
The platform:
This is a genuinely large-scale marketplace. Very few platforms handle a product catalogue or transaction volume at this level. The roadmap includes agentic AI workflows built into the platform, retail media integrated directly into the marketplace, and infrastructure work targeting cost and performance at high volume. A lot of this is being attempted at volumes that have rarely been tested in a marketplace before, so the work leans research-led rather than routine.
Who this suits:
This is a fast-paced scale-up environment on a complex platform. To ensure immediate velocity, we need an expert who requires zero upskilling. You'll do well here if you think strategically rather than transactionally, possess deep domain mastery, and are completely comfortable defining direction where none exists yet.
Location and working arrangements:
While there's no set number of days you're required on site, there will be times when the client needs the team together in person for important meetings, workshops and key moments. When that's the case, we'd expect you to attend. To make that work, you’ll need to be based within 50 miles of one of our offices in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester or London.
What we need:
- The essentials:
- Senior solutions architecture experience on large-scale data platforms
- Deep, hands-on mastery of the GCP data tooling ecosystem: BigQuery, DBT, and pipeline tooling such as Data Stream
- A proven track record of designing, restructuring, and optimising complex GCP data models specifically with daily consumption costs in mind
- Experience building and scaling toward self-service reporting and analytics
- The ability to establish a comprehensive data strategy from scratch, rather than just executing an existing blueprint
- Nice to have:
- Experience moving reporting off Looker or running a BI tooling transition
- Exposure to embedding data science within product or commercial teams
- Experience planning a larger data transformation programme
Ready to apply? Submit your application below.
Senior Solutions Architect (GCP) in Manchester employer: Teamtailor
At Teamtailor, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Senior Backend Engineer, you will not only have the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies but also contribute to meaningful projects that make a real impact in the education technology sector. We offer ample opportunities for professional growth and development, ensuring that our employees thrive in their careers while enjoying the flexibility of remote work in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Solutions Architect (GCP) in Manchester
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Got some cool data science projects? Showcase them on platforms like GitHub or create a personal portfolio website. This visibility is crucial for landing temporary roles—let recruiters see your actual skills in action, which can set you apart from the crowd.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Solutions Architect (GCP) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Data Projects:When applying for a temporary data science role at Teamtailor, 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 Teamtailor, 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 Teamtailor’s attention and show the tangible impact of your work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Teamtailor
✨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 Teamtailor.
✨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 Teamtailor.
✨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 Teamtailor.