Data Architect- SC Cleared

• The Client-Side Enterprise Data Enablement Architect is responsible for defining, governing and evolving data architecture capability across a complex enterprise landscape, working within Data Platform Services. The role provides the link between enterprise strategy, architecture, delivery and operations, ensuring that data solutions align with enterprise standards, support business outcomes and enable effective transformation.
• The role provides client-side leadership across data architecture, solution governance, stakeholder engagement and strategic planning, while supporting the adoption of modern data technologies across cloud, on-premise and as-a-service platforms within Data Platform Services., Enterprise Data Architecture
• Define, own and maintain enterprise data architecture standards, principles and patterns.
• Ensure data architecture aligns with organisational architecture policies, governance frameworks and delivery methodologies.
• Support the evolution of enterprise data capabilities, including data products, metadata management, data fabric and data virtualisation approaches.

Architecture Governance and Assurance

• Review proposed solutions and designs to ensure compliance with agreed architecture standards.
• Provide architecture assurance throughout delivery life cycles.
• Contribute to design authorities and governance forums.
• Support the establishment and operation of effective design governance processes and controls.

Strategic Planning and Roadmapping

• Develop and maintain strategic roadmaps for enterprise data platforms and data products.
• Assess the impact of business and technology change across the enterprise data landscape.
• Support long-term technology investment planning and capability development.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with Data Platform Services, enterprise architects, programme teams, project managers, security teams, suppliers, vendors and business stakeholders.
• Represent data architecture within business workshops and architecture forums.
• Influence decision-making and support high-level solution design activities.
• Build strong collaborative relationships across technical and non-technical communities.

Change Enablement

• Support change programmes through the production and review of architecture artefacts and documentation.
• Assess impacts to applications, data assets and business processes.
• Ensure architectural implications of change are understood and appropriately managed.

Vendor and Supplier Management

• Support supplier engagement and technical governance activities.
• Provide guidance relating to licensing implications and technology adoption.
• Maintain effective engagement with strategic technology partners and vendors.

Technical Leadership

• Contribute to the Data Architecture Community of Practice.
• Mentor and support architects, engineers and technical teams.
• Promote best practice, innovation and continuous improvement within the organisation.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on architectural and service management matters.

Transformation and Continuous Improvement

• Support organisational transformation initiatives and strategic change programmes.
• Identify opportunities to improve data management, architecture practices and delivery approaches
• Contribute to the development of enterprise architecture capabilities and operating models.

• Strong experience in enterprise data architecture within complex organisations.
• Ability to rapidly understand large-scale IT and data estates spanning on-premise, cloud and SaaS environments.
• Experience assessing and managing the impact of change across enterprise application and data landscapes.
• Knowledge of cloud architecture patterns, particularly AWS and Azure.
• Understanding of data management concepts, including data fabric, data virtualisation, metadata management, data integration and governance.
• Proven experience of architecture governance and design assurance processes.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience working across multiple delivery teams, suppliers and business functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience operating within regulated or large public-sector environments.
• Knowledge of modern data platform technologies and operating models.
• Experience supporting commercial, procurement or licensing activities.
• Contribution to architecture communities of practice or professional bodies.

Professional Competencies

• Enterprise data architecture and standards
• Architecture governance and assurance
• Strategic planning and roadmapping
• Stakeholder engagement and influencing
• Change impact assessment
• Vendor and commercial management
• Technical leadership and mentoring
• Continuous improvement and transformation leadership
• Cloud architecture, particularly AWS and Azure
• Enterprise data management and governance