Design and deliver modern data platforms, define data architecture standards, and ensure data solutions are secure and scalable. Work in Agile teams to enable data-driven decision-making. Advanced experience in cloud data platforms and data modelling required.
Key Highlights
Technical Skills Required
Benefits & Perks
Job Description
Lead Data Architect
Hybrid – Leeds (with UK-wide flexibility)
Salary: £67,000 – £84,000 per annum
Employment Type: Full-time
Overview
Our client is seeking a highly skilled Lead Data Architect to guide the design and delivery of modern, user-centred data platforms. Working in multidisciplinary Agile teams, you will define data architecture standards, oversee governance frameworks and ensure that data solutions are secure, scalable and aligned with enterprise objectives.
This role is suited to a data specialist with advanced experience in cloud data platforms, data modelling and architectural strategy, alongside strong consultancy and stakeholder engagement skills. You will play a key role in enabling data-driven decision-making across complex environments.
Responsibilities
- Define and maintain an enterprise-aligned data architecture that meets the needs of diverse stakeholders.
- Develop and manage core architecture artefacts, including entity relationship models, data dictionaries, ETL/ELT definitions and data lineage documentation.
- Ensure architectural decisions follow agreed change control processes and are supported by clear, evidence-based rationale.
- Establish and enforce governance standards to maintain quality and integrity across all data design artefacts.
- Define data modelling standards and champion industry-recognised practices such as Kimball methodologies.
- Analyse candidate data sources for quality, completeness and relevance.
- Evaluate APIs and reverse-engineer data models from existing systems where required.
- Create user stories for implementation and support engineering teams throughout the delivery lifecycle.
- Work with third-party suppliers to ensure compatibility and alignment between systems.
- Support integration, reconciliation testing and the visualisation of insights using leading reporting tools.
Requirements
- Proven experience defining enterprise-scale data architectures across varied stakeholder groups.
- Deep understanding of data lake and data warehouse design, including hands-on experience with platforms such as Snowflake or Databricks.
- Strong experience with cloud services (AWS, Azure or Google Cloud Platform).
- Solid understanding of role-based access control and data privacy principles.
- Advanced data modelling expertise, covering data warehouses, datamarts, OLTP and OLAP systems.
- Experience migrating data from legacy on-premise systems to cloud architectures.
- Ability to build and maintain data models, data dictionaries and ETL/ELT approaches.
- High proficiency in SQL, with advantage for SQL Server, SSMS, SSIS or SSRS experience.
- Ability to evaluate APIs using tools such as Postman.
- Consultancy experience is desirable, along with experience designing and implementing data pipelines.
Benefits
A comprehensive benefits package is available, including:
- Contributory pension scheme.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus UK public holidays.
- Access to wellbeing programmes and financial support sessions.
- Critical illness cover, life assurance and death-in-service cover.
- Corporate discounts through employee benefits platforms.
- Cycle-to-work scheme and electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.
- Season ticket loans.
- Flexible benefits options, including private health cover, dental cover, additional pension contributions, additional holidays and wellbeing funds.
- Relocation support of up to £8,000 (subject to terms).
Full details of benefits will be provided during the recruitment process.
Application Process
Our client is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience. Applications from candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged, and adjustments can be provided at any stage of the process.