Data Architect - Contract

Data Architect 6-week high-impact engagement (with potential extension)

We're supporting a major organisation as they reset their data strategy to better align with fast-paced, front-line operational demands. This is a hands-on engagement focused on bridging the gap between an established "Data North Star" and the realities of a complex legacy environment.

The Opportunity You'll play a key role in shaping and validating a practical, delivery-focused data strategy within a fragmented ecosystem of 80+ data sources. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you'll help remove bottlenecks, improve data discoverability, and ensure data architecture supports real-time business needs. What you'll be doing:

• Translate strategic data vision into actionable, real-world solutions
• Assess and optimise legacy data infrastructure, data hubs, and messaging layers
• Define a pragmatic evolution roadmap from current state to target architecture
• Develop a clear execution blueprint for the next phase of delivery
• Align business and technology stakeholders, balancing operational urgency with longer-term standardisation, We trust people to do their best work. That means flexibility over rigid rules, impact over activity, and real investment in your growth both professionally and personally. You'll be part of a supportive, and friendly culture, surrounded by smart, curious people who care deeply about what they do.

We offer flexible working, including hybrid and remote options. Our office hubs are located in Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, London and Bulgaria, with occasional travel to client sites or CreateFuture offices when needed.

We trust you to manage your time balancing collaboration with client time and focused work. What matters is the impact you have, not how busy you look. Our hiring process

We try to keep our hiring process clear, fair and respectful of your time. We aim to get back to everyone who applies and we will be upfront about where you are in the process.

• Proven experience as an Enterprise Data Architect or Data Strategist in complex environments
• Strong understanding of data governance, operating models, and use of externally sourced/licensed data
• Expertise in modern data architectures (e.g. data lake vs. data mesh) and how they shape operating models
• Ability to design decoupled, cloud-agnostic architectures and conceptual data models
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to navigate competing priorities

Desirable

• Experience working in high-volume, real-time or low-latency data environments
• Background in complex, data-rich organisations with legacy constraints, Depending on the role, we might also ask you to do a short presentation, a practical or technical task or have a values focused conversation. We will explain what is involved before anything happens.

CreateFuture is an AI-native consulting partner where people do work that matters and are supported to do it well. We work alongside organisations such as PayPal, adidas, NatWest, FanDuel and Money Saving Expert, building digital products and services that make a difference while always putting people first. We're a team of creators. We write code, shape delivery, build go-to-market strategies, develop AI solutions and create the practices that support our people. We work side by side with our clients, challenging what's not working and helping them to build the future. Our commitment to craft, quality, and culture has helped us scale to over 600 people in just a few years. CreateFuture is a Great Place to Work-Certified company and has won Best Workplaces UK multiple years in a row. Join us on our journey. Let's create tomorrow, together, today.