At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of enterprise-level data solutions and collaborate with senior stakeholders.
- Company: UCL, a leading global university committed to diversity and innovation.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, pension scheme, gym access, and employee support services.
- Other info: Join a diverse community and contribute to meaningful projects in higher education.
- Why this job: Shape impactful data solutions while influencing institutional strategy in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in data architecture and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 78000 £ per year.
The Senior Data Solution Architect defines and governs enterprise-level data solutions across UCL. The postholder shapes architectural patterns, platform capabilities, data models, Fabric-based data products, and AI-enabled services, ensuring alignment with UCL's enterprise data architecture blueprint and governance frameworks. The role provides strategic oversight, architectural assurance, and technical leadership, ensuring data platforms and solutions are scalable, secure, governed, and aligned to UCL's strategic ambitions.
You will lead solution design in close collaboration with senior stakeholders, fellow architects, delivery teams, and external partners. Translating strategic priorities into pragmatic, resilient solutions, you will help shape architectural standards, patterns, and governance while remaining close to delivery. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, you will balance enterprise-level outcomes with hands-on architectural depth to address complex challenges with broad institutional impact.
About you
You are an experienced Data Solution Architect who combines deep technical expertise with the ability to lead, influence, and simplify complex decisions. You will have all or many of the following:
- Extensive experience in enterprise data architecture, modern data platforms, and domain driven or canonical data modelling.
- Strong hands-on expertise with Microsoft Fabric, including Lake Houses, Pipelines, Dataflows Gen2, Semantic Models, and governance.
- A proven track record of designing and governing large-scale data and integration solutions across analytics and operational systems.
- Deep understanding of data governance, including data quality, metadata management, stewardship, and architectural assurance.
- Experience designing API-led and event driven integration architectures.
- Practical experience architecting AI-enabled data solutions, with an understanding of responsible and ethical AI practices.
- The credibility and confidence to lead architectural governance, influence senior stakeholders, and guide institutional strategy.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills, with a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Desirable, but not essential
- Experience with Azure data and AI services such as Azure OpenAI, Purview, Azure Data Explorer, or Databricks.
- Experience working in a large, complex organisation, ideally within the higher education sector.
What we offer
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, and 6 closure days)
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Senior Data Solution Architect in London employer: UCL
UCL is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, UCL provides extensive benefits such as 41 days of holiday, a defined benefit pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth within the higher education sector. The role of Senior Data Solution Architect not only allows you to shape impactful data solutions but also positions you at the forefront of strategic decision-making in a globally recognised institution.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Solution Architect in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or conferences related to data architecture. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job or can introduce you to someone at UCL.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric and AI-enabled solutions. Share specific examples of how you've tackled complex challenges in previous roles to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Before any interview, do your homework on UCL's strategic ambitions and how your skills align with their needs. This will help you speak their language and show that you're not just another candidate, but the right fit for their team.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of the UCL community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Solution Architect in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with enterprise data architecture and Microsoft Fabric. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Senior Data Solution Architect, you'll need to lead and influence others. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've successfully guided teams or projects in the past. We love seeing examples of collaboration and strategic thinking!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and achievements. Avoid jargon unless it's necessary, and make sure your passion for data solutions shines through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our commitment to diversity and inclusion there!
How to prepare for a job interview at UCL
✨Know Your Data Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of enterprise data architecture and modern data platforms. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric, including Lake Houses and Pipelines, as well as your understanding of data governance. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Data Solution Architect, you'll need to lead and influence others. Prepare examples of how you've successfully guided teams or influenced senior stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to simplify complex decisions and how you’ve balanced enterprise-level outcomes with hands-on architectural depth.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions during your interview. Brush up on API-led and event-driven integration architectures, and be ready to discuss your experience with AI-enabled data solutions. Think about ethical AI practices and how they relate to your work, as this is increasingly important in today’s landscape.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
UCL values equality, diversity, and inclusion, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve contributed to these principles in your past roles. Share specific examples of how you’ve fostered an inclusive environment or supported underrepresented groups in your workplace. This will resonate well with their commitment to building a diverse community.
