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 that values creativity and inclusion.
- 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.
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
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 employer: UCL
UCL is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration among its diverse workforce. With generous benefits such as 41 days of holiday, a defined benefit pension scheme, and a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, UCL provides ample opportunities for professional growth and development in the heart of London. As a Senior Data Solution Architect, you will play a pivotal role in shaping data solutions that have a broad institutional impact, all while being supported by a culture that values your contributions and encourages your career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Solution Architect
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at UCL or similar organisations. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you land that Senior Data Solution Architect role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into UCL's data architecture and governance frameworks. Show us you understand their strategic ambitions and how your experience aligns with their needs. Tailor your examples to highlight your hands-on expertise with Microsoft Fabric and AI-enabled solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and keep you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll be able to showcase your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Solution Architect
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 have a solid grasp of enterprise data architecture and modern data platforms. Brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft Fabric, especially Lake Houses and Pipelines, as these will likely come up in conversation. Being able to discuss specific examples from your experience will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but can apply them effectively.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Since this role involves collaborating with senior stakeholders, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Think about how you can translate complex technical details into simple terms that non-technical leaders can understand. This will demonstrate your ability to influence and lead discussions effectively.
✨Showcase Your Governance Knowledge
Be ready to discuss your understanding of data governance, including data quality and metadata management. Prepare examples of how you've ensured architectural assurance in past projects. This will highlight your capability to maintain high standards in data solutions, which is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Ethical AI Practices
Given the focus on AI-enabled data solutions, be prepared to talk about responsible and ethical AI practices. Share any relevant experiences where you’ve implemented these principles in your work. This will not only showcase your technical expertise but also align with UCL's commitment to ethical standards.
