Senior Data Architect

We are seeking an experienced Senior Data Architect to support the design and evolution of enterprise-wide data architecture within a large, complex organisation. The role focuses on translating business and user needs into scalable, secure, and standards-driven data solutions, while providing technical leadership across data architecture practices. This is a senior-level contract position requiring strong stakeholder engagement, strategic thinking, and hands-on architectural expertise across modern data platforms. Key Responsibilities Translate business, operational, and user needs into clear and sustainable data architecture designs aligned to organisational strategy. Provide technical leadership and guidance to data architects and delivery teams, supporting consistent adoption of data standards and best practices. Define, evolve, and promote data architecture principles, patterns, and reusable assets across multiple programmes and domains. Collaborate closely with solution architects, engineers, and platform teams to embed data architecture into cloud-native and hybrid solutions. Champion data as a strategic asset, supporting approaches such as data-as-a-product and trusted data sharing. Design and maintain conceptual, logical, and physical data models across complex subject areas. Lead on metadata management approaches, including the design and improvement of metadata repositories and tooling. Ensure data governance, quality, and compliance considerations are built into architectures from the outset. Support cross-domain problem solving where data challenges span multiple business areas or systems. Required Skills & Experience Proven experience operating as a Senior or Lead Data Architect within large-scale, complex environments. Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences. Expertise in data modelling techniques, standards, and industry-recognised patterns. Solid understanding of data governance, data quality, and metadata management. Experience designing data architectures for cloud-based and hybrid platforms. Ability to analyse existing data landscapes and reverse-engineer data models from live systems. Strong problem-solving skills, with experience resolving complex data-related issues across teams. Strategic mindset with the ability to align architectural decisions to wider organisational goals. Desirable Experience Experience working in highly regulated or public-sector environments. Exposure to modern data platforms, analytics ecosystems, and data integration patterns. Familiarity with enterprise data strategy and operating models.