Data Architect in London

About Unity Advisory

Unity Advisory is a next-generation CFO advisory firm, launched in 2025 with the backing of Warburg Pincus and up to $300 million in committed funding. We are building a modern alternative to the Big Firms — agile, partner-led and technology-powered. We work with private equity-backed and upper mid-market businesses (typically £150m–£1.5bn revenue) across the full CFO agenda — finance operations, tax, deals, digital transformation and deal readiness. We do not provide audit services, allowing us to remain independent and fully outcome-focused. AI and data are embedded into how we operate and deliver. We are AI-born, not AI-retrofitted.

The Role

We are seeking a senior, commercially astute Data Architect to play a foundational role in designing Unity Advisory’s AI-native data architecture — first internally, then externally with clients. This role will evolve in two deliberate phases:

• Phase 1 – Internal Architecture & Platform Design
  • You will help design and establish Unity’s internal data and AI architecture — defining standards, governance and scalable design patterns that underpin our advisory model.
• Phase 2 – Client-Facing Data & AI Advisory
  • Once foundations are established, you will transition into a client-facing role, helping CFOs architect modern, AI-ready data environments that enable finance transformation, automation and deal value creation.

This is a rare opportunity to design a modern advisory data architecture from first principles — and then take it to market.

Phase 1 - Internal Data & AI Architecture (Foundational Build)

In the initial phase, your focus will be internal — shaping the architectural backbone that supports Unity’s product, AI and advisory ambitions.

What You’ll Do Internally

• Define Unity’s Enterprise Data Architecture
  • Design our target-state, AI-ready data architecture.
  • Establish architectural principles across:
  • Structured and unstructured data
  • Snowflake-centric analytical environments
  • Vector and retrieval layers
  • AI interaction patterns
  • Define scalable, secure integration patterns across systems.
• Architect AI-Ready Foundations
  • Design semantic models and governed data layers that support:
  • LLM-powered extraction and reasoning
  • Internal knowledge systems
  • AI copilots and workflow automation
  • Ensure data is structured for retrieval, explainability and control.
  • Partner closely with Data Engineers, AI Engineers and Engineering Leads to translate architecture into production systems.
• Governance & Control by Design
  • Establish enterprise data governance frameworks.
  • Embed quality, lineage and auditability into architecture.
  • Define privacy-aware, compliance-aligned design standards appropriate for sensitive advisory environments.
  • Ensure AI systems are grounded in trusted data.
• Create Reusable Architectural Assets
  • Develop reference architectures and patterns that can be reused in client engagements.
  • Codify best practice across finance data integration and AI enablement.
  • Help shape Unity’s long-term product roadmap from an architectural perspective.

This phase is about building credibility, clarity and architectural maturity internally before taking it to market.

Phase 2: Client-Facing Data Architecture & Advisory Leadership

As Unity scales and our internal platform matures, you will increasingly operate externally with clients.

What You’ll Do with Clients

• Architect Modern CFO Data Environments
  • Design target-state data architectures for finance transformation.
  • Support ERP, FP&A, BI and consolidation integration programmes.
  • Develop scalable models supporting:
  • CFO dashboards
  • Performance analytics
  • Cash and working capital insight
  • Tax and compliance reporting
• Embed AI into the Office of the CFO
  • Design AI-ready data platforms that support:
  • Text2SQL and automated reporting
  • Intelligent document extraction
  • AI-assisted forecasting
  • Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) use cases
  • Help CFOs move from fragmented data estates to AI-enabled insight environments.
  • Provide pragmatic guidance on AI adoption grounded in architectural discipline.
• Support Deals & Complex Transformations
  • Architect data environments for:
  • Financial due diligence
  • Carve-outs and integrations
  • Post-deal reporting and synergy tracking
  • Rationalise fragmented data landscapes following acquisitions.
  • Provide architectural clarity in high-pressure environments.
• Act as a Senior Architectural Voice
  • Engage directly with CFOs, CIOs and PE stakeholders.
  • Translate architectural decisions into commercial outcomes.
  • Support proposals and shape data strategy components of engagements.
  • Strengthen Unity’s external credibility in AI-enabled CFO advisory.

What You Bring

• Data Architecture Expertise
  • 8+ years’ experience in enterprise data architecture or modern cloud data platforms.
  • Proven experience designing cloud-native data environments (e.g. Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery or equivalent).
  • Deep expertise in:
  • Data modelling and semantic layers
  • Governance and operating models
  • Data integration patterns
  • Structured and unstructured data environments
  • Experience designing AI-ready architectures that support LLM or RAG-based systems.
• Finance & Commercial Understanding
  • Strong familiarity with finance systems and processes (ERP, FP&A, reporting, tax or deal environments).
  • Ability to connect architecture decisions to CFO-level commercial priorities.
  • Comfortable operating in advisory or transformation contexts.
  • Strong commercial judgement — understands trade-offs between speed, cost and scalability.
• AI & Modern Technology Awareness
  • Practical understanding of how LLMs interact with enterprise data.
  • Familiarity with embeddings, semantic search and hybrid retrieval concepts.
  • Appreciation of AI risks, grounding strategies and evaluation considerations.
  • Ability to balance experimentation with governance.
• Leadership & Cultural Alignment
  • Comfortable operating in a fast-scaling, high-accountability environment.
  • Clear communicator able to translate complex architecture into business language.
  • Collaborative and aligned with Unity’s values: Straightforward, Commercial, Open, Experimental, Team-First.

Why This Role Matters

Unity’s long-term strategy is to progressively shift value creation from linear advisory effort to repeatable, technology-enabled delivery. This role sits at the centre of that ambition. By first building Unity’s internal architectural foundations, then taking those capabilities to clients, you will help us:

• Embed AI into how CFO advisory is delivered
• Create scalable, governed data environments
• Improve consistency and quality across engagements
• Support recurring and product-led revenue
• Establish Unity as the leading independent, technology-enabled CFO advisory firm in our segment

This is not a maintenance role. It is a build-and-scale role with visible strategic impact.

Working at Unity Advisory

A truly hybrid and flexible working environment. We offer the opportunity to be at the forefront of AI-driven advisory services. You’ll be part of a high-impact finance function, empowered to shape how we scale our systems and processes. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing business and accelerate your finance career.

Additional Information

At Unity Advisory, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, we will accommodate any suitable candidate requiring assistance to attend or conduct an interview. If you need any adjustments or support, please let us know when either scheduling your interview or in your application cover letter. We are dedicated to ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and are here to support you throughout the process.

PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept unsolicited CVs from third-party agencies.