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- Tasks: Design and govern data models for acute healthcare operations within a cutting-edge data platform.
- Company: Join a leading NHS Trust focused on innovative healthcare solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare by shaping how data is used to improve patient care.
- Qualifications: Experience with NHS data and strong data architecture skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and career development.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
The Data Architect (Acute) is responsible for defining, governing, and evolving the canonical data model and semantic architecture representing an acute NHS Trust within the Foundry Data Platform (FDP). The role focuses on clinical and operational data modelling, ensuring that data accurately reflects how healthcare is delivered in an acute setting, and that it can be reused reliably across analytics, operational reporting, research, and AI use cases. This role is not a business change or reporting role. It is a deep technical data architecture role that bridges clinical domain knowledge, data engineering delivery, platform governance and information standard.
Role Objectives
- Define and maintain a canonical acute data model (“data twin of acute”) within FDP
- Ensure semantic consistency across ingestion pipelines and analytics use cases
- Reduce duplication of logic by embedding meaning once, then reusing it everywhere
- Enable scale across trusts, domains, and future national reuse
Responsibilities
Acute Domain Data Modelling
- Design and govern canonical data models representing acute healthcare operations, including (but not limited to): Patient administration (PAS), Admissions, discharges, transfers (ADT), Encounters and episodes, Beds, wards, and patient movement, Diagnostics and procedures, Theatre activity and utilisation, Workforce and rostering (where relevant)
- Translate real-world clinical workflows into accurate, durable data structures.
- Ensure that models reflect how care is delivered, not just how source systems store data.
Canonical Data Model (CDM) & Ontology
- Define and evolve the CDM and ontology layer within FDP: entities, events, relationships, temporal logic (e.g. point-in-time vs event-based data), versioning and lifecycle rules
Establish Modelling Standards
- Naming conventions
- Grain definitions
- Reference data usage
- Handling of slowly changing dimensions
Collaboration with Engineering & Architecture
- Work closely with Foundry Engineers (pipeline implementation)
- Foundry Architects (platform and governance design)
- Internal NHS SMEs and data engineers
Translate legacy warehouse logic and undocumented ETL rules into explicit, governed models. Support engineers by providing clear, testable data specifications rather than embedding logic in code.
Data Quality, Lineage & Trust
- Define data quality expectations aligned to clinical and operational usage.
- Ensure that data definitions are consistent across domains
- Lineage from source → model → output is traceable
- Assumptions and limitations are explicit
Governance, IG & Assurance
- Embed IG-by-design Into Data Models: PII classification, sensitivity tagging, access boundaries
- Support DPIA Activities by clearly describing what data exists, how it is structured, how it flows and is used
- Act as a trusted technical voice during IG, assurance, and audit discussions.
Platform Transition Support
- Operate effectively during live transition: parallel legacy and FDP platforms, evolving source systems, incomplete or changing requirements
- Prioritise modelling decisions that reduce future rework and operational burden
Essential Skills & Experience
- Acute NHS Experience (Essential): Demonstrable experience working with acute NHS data.
- Strong Understanding Of: hospital operational workflows, clinical and administrative data structures
- Ability to speak credibly with clinicians, operational managers, and analysts about how data represents reality.
- Data Architecture & Modelling: Strong Background In: conceptual, logical, and physical data modelling, canonical data model design, semantic layers / ontologies
- Experience modelling complex, event-driven and time-dependent data.
- Platform & Delivery Context: Experience working with modern data platforms (e.g. Foundry, Databricks, Snowflake, Synapse, Fabric). Comfortable operating in multi-stakeholder delivery environments.
- Experience translating legacy warehouse logic into modern architectures.
- Governance & Quality: Strong Understanding Of: data quality management, lineage and auditability, regulated data environments
- Experience supporting IG, DPIA, and assurance processes.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Experience working within FDP / Palantir Foundry.
- Experience across multiple trusts or ICBs.
- Familiarity with NHS national datasets and standards.
- Experience supporting analytics, operational reporting, and research use cases from a single semantic model.
- Exposure to AI / ML enablement through strong data foundations.
Data Architect – Acute Healthcare (FDP / Foundry) employer: VE3
Contact Detail:
VE3 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Architect – Acute Healthcare (FDP / Foundry)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the healthcare data space, especially those who work with NHS data. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your experience with data modelling and architecture. Include case studies or examples of how you've tackled complex data challenges in acute healthcare settings. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your knowledge of canonical data models and acute NHS workflows. Be ready to discuss how you would approach specific data challenges and demonstrate your understanding of the technical aspects of the role. Practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. Make sure your application stands out by tailoring it to the specific role and showcasing your relevant experience in acute healthcare data.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Architect – Acute Healthcare (FDP / Foundry)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Make sure you really understand the role of a Data Architect in acute healthcare. Brush up on your knowledge of clinical workflows and data modelling, as this will help you tailor your application to show us you're the right fit.
Be Specific: When writing your application, be specific about your experience with NHS data and how it relates to the role. Use examples that highlight your skills in data architecture and governance, so we can see exactly what you bring to the table.
Show Your Collaboration Skills: This role involves working closely with engineers and other stakeholders, so don’t forget to mention your teamwork experience. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in multi-stakeholder environments to deliver results.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at VE3
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of acute NHS data and the specific workflows involved. Brush up on clinical and operational data structures, as well as how they translate into data models. Being able to speak confidently about these topics will impress your interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Modelling Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience with conceptual, logical, and physical data modelling. Bring examples of how you've designed canonical data models or worked with semantic layers. This is a technical role, so demonstrating your expertise in data architecture is crucial.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Foundry
If you haven't already, get to know the Foundry Data Platform and its capabilities. Understanding how it operates and how it can be leveraged for acute healthcare data will give you an edge. Mention any relevant experience you have with modern data platforms like Databricks or Snowflake.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Expect questions about how you work with engineers, architects, and other stakeholders. Be ready to share examples of past collaborations and how you’ve translated complex data requirements into clear specifications. Highlighting your teamwork skills will show that you're a good fit for their multi-stakeholder environment.
