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- Tasks: Lead the design of secure, enterprise-scale data architectures for digital services.
- Company: Leading digital consultancy focused on innovative data solutions for the public sector.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive pension, professional development funding, and generous leave options.
- Other info: Inclusive hiring; we welcome diverse applicants who are passionate about data.
- Why this job: Shape strategic data decisions and make a real impact in the public sector.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in data architecture and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
Meraki Talent are working on behalf of a leading digital consultancy delivering complex, secure data platforms across the UK public sector. We’re seeking an experienced Data Architect to lead the design and evolution of enterprise‑scale data architectures supporting digital services, analytics and operational decision‑making. This is a lead‑level position combining hands‑on architecture with technical leadership, assurance and stakeholder engagement. You’ll shape strategic data decisions across multiple delivery teams — ensuring solutions are secure, sustainable, user‑focused and aligned with government standards.
The Role
- Define and own end‑to‑end data architecture designs across digital services and analytics platforms
- Establish architecture principles, standards and reusable patterns across teams
- Ensure architectures address the full data lifecycle (acquisition through to decommissioning)
- Provide technical leadership and architectural assurance across delivery teams
- Align data decisions with user needs, business outcomes, risk appetite and security requirements
- Influence and support data governance including metadata, lineage, ownership and data quality
- Engage senior stakeholders to explain trade‑offs and support informed decision‑making
Technical Experience
You’ll bring extensive commercial experience across several of the following:
- Designing end‑to‑end data architectures (ingestion, processing, storage, analytics, access layers)
- Strong data modelling expertise (conceptual, logical, physical, operational and analytical models)
- Architecting modern analytics platforms (data warehouses, lakehouse architectures, domain‑oriented data platforms)
- Data integration patterns (batch, event‑driven, API‑led approaches)
- Applying security‑by‑design and privacy‑by‑design principles
- Working across cloud environments in a vendor‑neutral capacity
- Familiarity with modern data engineering tooling and open‑source ecosystems
What We’re Looking For
- Operates confidently at Lead level (SFIA 5)
- Provides authoritative architectural guidance across teams
- Strong communicator — able to engage both technical teams and senior leadership
- Balances strategic direction with delivery pragmatism
- Comfortable influencing across multiple teams and suppliers
- Experienced within UK Government Digital, Data & Technology environments
- Outcome‑focused, avoiding vendor‑led or technology‑first thinking
Security Clearance
Due to the nature of the work, candidates must:
- Be eligible for SC Clearance
- Have lived continuously in the UK for the past 5+ years
- Have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship
What’s on Offer
- Employer pension starting at 5%, increasing with tenure
- Group life assurance
- Genuine hybrid working + home setup allowance
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (with buy/sell option)
- Fully funded professional certifications (AWS, GCP, Agile etc.)
- 5 days paid study leave + ÂŁ500 annual personal development fund
- 1-2-1 coaching and structured career development
- Private medical insurance
- Cycle to Work scheme
- 2 paid volunteering days per year
Inclusive Hiring
We strongly encourage applications from individuals who may not meet every single requirement. If this opportunity excites you but you don’t tick every box, we would still love to hear from you.
Data Architect employer: Virtual Hire Staffing
Contact Detail:
Virtual Hire Staffing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Architect
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the role you want. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Create a portfolio showcasing your data architecture projects or contribute to open-source initiatives. This gives potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching common questions and practicing your responses. But don’t stop there—think about how you can relate your past experiences to the specific needs of the role. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Apply Through Our Website
We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It not only streamlines the process but also shows your genuine interest in joining our team. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Data Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Data Architect role. Highlight your experience in designing end-to-end data architectures and any relevant projects you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've influenced architectural decisions and engaged with stakeholders in previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your technical expertise! Whether it’s data modelling or cloud environments, make sure we see your strengths clearly. We want to know how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virtual Hire Staffing
✨Know Your Data Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the end-to-end data architecture processes. Brush up on your knowledge of data ingestion, processing, storage, and analytics. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these principles in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Data Architect, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead technical teams. Prepare examples of how you've influenced architectural decisions and provided guidance across multiple teams. Highlight your experience in engaging with senior stakeholders.
✨Understand Security and Compliance
Given the nature of the role, it's crucial to be familiar with security-by-design and privacy-by-design principles. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these in previous roles, especially in relation to UK Government standards.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Strong communication is key for this position. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Think about how you can engage both technical teams and senior leadership during the interview, ensuring you can articulate trade-offs and support decision-making.