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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Head of Data Architecture - **Company:** Co-op - **Location:** Manchester, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £105,000.0 - £114,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Data Architecture, Digital Assets, Metadata Repositories, Data Streaming, Data Management - **Published:** July 7, 2026 - **Apply:** https://hcnq.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/1067343/apply/email?mode=location ## About the Role * Significant experience in data architecture, modelling, analytics, and integration * Proven leadership experience and a passion for helping others grow including leading teams within matrix operating models * A clear understanding of how data architecture adds value across businesses * Strong knowledge of the latest trends and innovations in technology, data and AI including vendor solutions and market developments * Great communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas in a simple, clear way * Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills with experience working across large, complex organisations * Strong judgement on architectural quality, consistency and governance, with experience defining standards and frameworks * Commercial and strategic awareness, including managing budgets, tooling and vendor partnerships, and acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders ## Description We're looking for a Head of Data Architecture to join our Digital, Technology & Data team in Manchester. In this role, you'll lead how data is structured and flows across the Co-op, helping make sure it's high quality, easy to access and trusted by the people who use it every day. You'll shape the tools, platforms and ways of working that sit behind our data, from enterprise modelling through to enabling AI, making sure everything works together in a simple and consistent way. Why this role matters At Co-op, we know that better data leads to better decisions for our member-owners and customers. This role is all about creating the right foundations so teams across the organisation can use data confidently, whether that's for reporting, insight, or new technologies like AI. You'll help make sure our data is reliable, well understood and used in the right way, while supporting wider business goals and keeping us on track with the standards and responsibilities we need to meet. What you'll do * Lead improvements to our data architecture across the business and sponsor enterprise-wide data architecture strategy, standards and governance * Support delivery of our biggest and most complex projects, providing architectural assurance and guidance * Help shape our enterprise data model, identifying key domains and critical data concepts and defining approaches to master data management * Set standards for how we manage data throughout its lifecycle including governance, quality, retention and metadata * Build and evolve a metadata repository for our systems and data flows ensuring data assets are documented, owned and governed * Enable AI models to use data close to source, reducing duplication and supporting emerging AI and automation capabilities * Provide leadership, coaching and development for our data architecture community through training, mentoring and capability frameworks within a matrix structure * Manage budgets, tooling and third-party relationships while ensuring data architecture efforts are prioritised to deliver the greatest enterprise value ## Related Videos - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [Tokenization of Everything: Where the Real World Meets Blockchain](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1035-tokenization-of-everything-where-the-real-world-meets-blockchain) - [Python-Based Data Streaming Pipelines Within Minutes](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1233-python-based-data-streaming-pipelines-within-minutes) - [From Messy Queries to Scalable Systems - How Data Engineering actually works](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100203-from-messy-queries-to-scalable-systems-how-data-engineering-actually-works) - [Data Science on Software Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/162-data-science-on-software-data) - [Modern Data Architectures need Software Engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1030-modern-data-architectures-need-software-engineering) ## Related Articles - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [Graph and AI Trends 2026: Why Is AI Running but Not Yet Delivering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/680-graph-and-ai-trends-2026-why-is-ai-running-but-not-yet-delivering) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [Data Analyst Salary in the UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/278-data-analyst-salary-in-the-uk) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Everything a Developer Needs to Know About MCP with Neo4j](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/604-everything-a-developer-needs-to-know-about-mcp-with-neo4j)