Senior Data Architect in Manchester

Senior Data Architect in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 60000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design modern IT architecture for major digital transformation programmes across DWP Digital.
  • Company: Join the UK's largest government department, making a real impact on people's lives.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay up to £83,917, generous leave, and a fantastic pension scheme.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of data strategy while working with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in data architecture, cloud technologies, and Agile methodologies required.
  • Other info: Enjoy a hybrid working model and a diverse, inclusive workplace culture.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.

Locations: Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne or Sheffield

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 18th January 2026

Pay up to £83,917, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work-life balance.

DWP. Digital with Purpose. We are looking for a Senior Data Architect to join our community of tech experts in DWP Digital. We're using fresh ideas and leading-edge tech to build and maintain digital solutions that will be used by nearly every person in the UK, every day and at key moments in their lives. DWP is the UK's largest government department. We help people into work and make payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people. The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.

What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?

  • Data Architecture Design & Standards: Demonstrates expertise in data architecture design and modelling techniques, patterns, tools, and standards, including event-based architecture and pub-sub/data streaming approaches.
  • Technical Governance & Communication: Experienced in presenting data architecture designs to technical governance forums, ensuring alignment with organisational standards and strategic objectives.
  • Data Management & Governance: Skilled in data modelling, master data management (MDM), metadata management, and data governance to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance across enterprise systems.
  • Cloud & Infrastructure Design: Strong knowledge of public cloud technologies and hosting patterns, including containerisation and networking best practices across platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
  • Agile & DevOps Delivery: Demonstrates experience applying Agile delivery methodologies and best practices, alongside DevOps principles including Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) pipelines.
  • Strategic Technology Leadership: Proven ability to shape and support technology initiatives, projects, programmes, and portfolios, ensuring architectural integrity and alignment with organisational goals.

You and your role

We're looking for a Senior Data Architect to help design modern IT architecture for some of the largest digital transformation programmes in Europe. This is an exciting opportunity to work on data-focused products and services in a complex digital environment, supporting major initiatives across DWP Digital. You'll collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver solutions, provide expert advice, and influence technology choices that shape the future of our data strategy. In this role, you'll work across multiple projects, applying broad architectural thinking to design data models, metadata systems, and data dictionaries. You'll provide oversight and guidance to other data architects, ensuring standards are met and solutions align with organisational principles. You'll also work closely with technical architects to make sure systems are designed in accordance with the appropriate data architecture.

Details

Wages

Location: You'll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne or Sheffield.

Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model – you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.

Pay: We offer competitive pay of up to £83,917

Pension: You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%.

Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time. You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.

We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

  • Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
  • Time off volunteering and charitable giving
  • Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
  • Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
  • Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
  • Sports and social activities
  • Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.

And we have an award-winning environment and culture:

  • DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards
  • Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards.
  • Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025
  • Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Digital Awards

Process: We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:

  • Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There'll be full instructions when you click through.
  • Interview: a single stage interview online.

CLICK APPLY for more information and to start your application.

We are proud supporters of Women in Data. Connect, engage and belong to the largest free female data community in the UK.

Senior Data Architect in Manchester employer: Women in Data®

DWP Digital is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work on transformative digital solutions that impact millions of lives across the UK. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we provide flexible working arrangements, generous leave packages, and extensive professional development opportunities, all within a diverse and inclusive culture recognised for its excellence. Join us in one of our vibrant digital hubs, where you can bring your authentic self to work and contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future of public services.
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Contact Detail:

Women in Data® Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Data Architect in Manchester

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at DWP Digital on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your interview. It’s all about making connections!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your data architecture knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve applied your skills in data modelling and governance. Show us you know your stuff!

Tip Number 3

Practice your presentation skills! You might need to explain complex data concepts clearly. Try explaining your past projects to a friend or even to yourself in the mirror. Confidence is key!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to make your application stand out.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Architect in Manchester

Data Architecture Design
Data Modelling
Master Data Management (MDM)
Metadata Management
Data Governance
Public Cloud Technologies
Containerisation
Networking Best Practices
Agile Delivery Methodologies
DevOps Principles
Continuous Integration (CI)
Continuous Delivery (CD)
Technical Governance
Strategic Technology Leadership
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the Senior Data Architect role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on showcasing your knowledge in data architecture design, cloud technologies, and Agile methodologies. We want to see how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.

Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application smoothly.

How to prepare for a job interview at Women in Data®

Know Your Data Architecture Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your data architecture design and modelling techniques. Be ready to discuss event-based architecture and pub-sub/data streaming approaches, as these are key to the role. Prepare examples of how you've applied these concepts in past projects.

Showcase Your Communication Skills

Since you'll be presenting designs to technical governance forums, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Think about how you can align your architectural decisions with organisational standards and strategic objectives, and be prepared to explain your thought process.

Familiarise Yourself with Cloud Technologies

Get comfortable discussing public cloud technologies like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Be ready to share your experience with containerisation and networking best practices, as this knowledge will be crucial for the role.

Emphasise Agile and DevOps Experience

Highlight your experience with Agile delivery methodologies and DevOps principles. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) pipelines in your previous roles, as this will demonstrate your ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Senior Data Architect in Manchester
Women in Data®
Location: Manchester

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