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- Tasks: Lead the design of data architectures for complex digital services in the UK public sector.
- Company: Zaizi, a forward-thinking tech company focused on impactful digital solutions.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, medical insurance, flexible working, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data architecture while making a real difference in public services.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in data architecture and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on innovation and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Zaizi is looking for a Data Architect to lead the design and evolution of data architectures for complex digital services across the UK public sector. You will work across multiple delivery teams and stakeholders to define coherent, secure and sustainable data architectures that enable analytics, operational reporting and data-driven services. The role combines hands-on architectural design with leadership, assurance and stakeholder engagement, ensuring data solutions align with user needs, organisational strategy, and government standards. This role suits someone operating at lead level: providing authoritative guidance, shaping data architecture decisions, and assuring that data solutions are fit for purpose, well governed and deliver long-term value without being tied to a specific cloud provider or vendor technology.
Requirements
- Define and own data architecture designs that support digital services, analytics and operational decision-making.
- Set data architecture principles, standards and patterns that enable consistency across teams while allowing appropriate autonomy.
- Ensure data architectures address the full data lifecycle, including acquisition, storage, usage, sharing, retention and decommissioning.
- Provide technical leadership and assurance across delivery teams, reviewing designs and guiding implementation.
- Align data architecture decisions with user needs, business outcomes, security requirements and organisational risk appetite.
- Support and influence data governance, including metadata management, data quality, lineage and ownership.
- Engage with senior stakeholders and customers to explain architectural trade-offs and support informed decision-making.
Technical
- You will have extensive commercial experience in a number of the following areas:
- Designing end-to-end data architectures for complex systems, including ingestion, processing, storage, analytics and access layers.
- Strong understanding of data modelling approaches (e.g. conceptual, logical and physical models; analytical and operational models).
- Experience designing architectures for analytics platforms, such as data warehouses, lakehouse-style platforms and domain-oriented data architectures.
- Knowledge of data integration patterns, including batch, event-driven and API-based approaches.
- Applying security-by-design and privacy-by-design principles to data architectures, including access control, classification and auditability.
- Experience working across cloud platforms, remaining vendor-neutral and selecting technologies based on context.
- Familiarity with modern data engineering and analytics tooling, including open-source ecosystems.
Competencies
- Operates at Lead Level (SFIA 5): provides authoritative guidance, influences decisions, and assures quality across teams.
- Strong ability to communicate architectural concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leaders.
- Comfortable working across multiple teams and suppliers, balancing strategic direction with delivery realities.
- Demonstrates leadership in shaping standards, patterns and best practice.
- Experienced in UK Government Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT / GDAT) environments, including GDS standards, security and governance expectations.
- Maintains a strong focus on outcomes, usability and service value, avoiding technology-led or vendor-driven solutions.
SC Clearance: Zaizi works with UK Central Government departments on a range of projects. To be able to work on our customer projects, employees must be Security Cleared to a standard acceptable to our Government customers. Due to this restriction we can currently only recruit candidates who have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship and who have lived in the UK for the last 5+ years continuously.
Benefits
- 25 days paid holiday, plus bank holidays
- Vitality medical insurance
- Workplace Pension 5% employer contribution
- Group Life Assurance
- Cycle scheme
- 5 days a year for approved Training
- WFH equipment allowance
- Buy / Sell Holiday
- 2 days paid volunteering days
Other benefits: Flexible working, Work on exciting projects - make a difference, Empowered to make decisions, Encouraged to fail fast and learn quickly, 1-2-1 and team coaching / training available to all our staff.
For further information contact: Nat Hinds - Head of Talent, Kayla Kirby - Talent Acquisition Specialist.
Data Architect (SFIA 5) in London employer: Zaizi
Contact Detail:
Zaizi Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Architect (SFIA 5) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the role you want. It’s all about making those connections that could lead to your next opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal project that highlights your data architecture expertise. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities, which can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s projects and challenges. Research Zaizi’s work in the public sector and think about how your skills can help them achieve their goals. Tailor your responses to show you’re the perfect fit for their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Zaizi and contributing to exciting projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Architect (SFIA 5) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Data Architect role. Highlight your experience in designing data architectures and how it aligns with the job description. We want to see how your skills can help us shape data solutions that meet user needs.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t hold back on detailing your technical expertise! Mention your experience with data modelling, integration patterns, and any cloud platforms you've worked with. We’re looking for someone who can provide authoritative guidance, so let us know how you’ve done this in past roles.
Communicate Clearly: Remember, you’ll be engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Use clear language in your application to demonstrate your ability to explain complex architectural concepts. We appreciate candidates who can bridge the gap between tech and business!
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 the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Zaizi!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zaizi
✨Know Your Data Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the principles and standards of data architecture. Be ready to discuss your experience with end-to-end designs, data modelling approaches, and how you've applied security and privacy principles in past projects.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to demonstrate your ability to communicate complex architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Think of examples where you’ve influenced decisions or explained trade-offs effectively, especially in a multi-team environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this role requires a lead-level approach, be prepared to share instances where you’ve provided guidance and assurance across teams. Highlight your experience in shaping best practices and standards, and how you’ve balanced strategic direction with practical delivery.
✨Stay Vendor-Neutral
Discuss your experience working across different cloud platforms without being tied to a specific vendor. Be ready to explain how you select technologies based on context and user needs, ensuring that your solutions are sustainable and fit for purpose.
