At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and govern data models for acute healthcare, ensuring accurate representation of clinical workflows.
- Company: Join a leading NHS Trust focused on innovative data solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by shaping data architecture that enhances patient care.
- Qualifications: Experience with acute NHS data and strong data modelling skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and career development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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) in London employer: VE3
Contact Detail:
VE3 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Architect – Acute Healthcare (FDP / Foundry) in London
✨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. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your data architecture projects, especially those related to acute healthcare. Use real-world examples to demonstrate how you’ve tackled complex data modelling challenges. This will help us see your expertise in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of NHS operational workflows and data structures. Be ready to discuss how you can translate clinical workflows into effective data models. We want to hear how you can make a difference in our team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. So, get your application in and let’s start this journey together!
We think you need these skills to ace Data Architect – Acute Healthcare (FDP / Foundry) in London
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. We want to see that you can translate real-world scenarios into solid data structures!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with NHS data and modern data platforms. Show us how your skills align with what we’re looking for in this role.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your experience and how it relates to the job. We appreciate clarity and directness!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
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 discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it in practice.
✨Master the Canonical Data Model
Familiarise yourself with canonical data model design and semantic layers. Be prepared to discuss how you would define and evolve a CDM within the Foundry Data Platform. Think about examples from your past experience where you’ve successfully implemented similar models and be ready to share those insights.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role requires working closely with engineers, architects, and NHS SMEs. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated in multi-stakeholder environments before. Highlight your ability to translate complex data requirements into clear specifications that everyone can understand.
✨Understand Governance and Quality Standards
Be ready to discuss data quality management and governance processes. Familiarise yourself with IG-by-design principles and how they apply to data models. Showing that you can ensure data lineage and auditability will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards in data architecture.