Data Architect

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Lead Data Architect to lead the discovery, assessment and planning phase of a large-scale cloud data migration programme. This role will be responsible for defining the migration strategy, target-state architecture, delivery roadmap, governance approach, operating model and business case required to support a complex enterprise transformation initiative.

The successful candidate will provide architectural leadership across business and technology stakeholders, guiding the assessment of existing data platforms and analytics solutions while defining a pragmatic migration approach to a modern cloud-based data ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and strategy for an enterprise-scale data platform modernisation programme.
• Define migration scope, target-state architecture and transformation approach across data, analytics and reporting platforms.
• Conduct data estate assessments, inventory analysis and dependency mapping to understand migration complexity and effort.
• Develop migration roadmaps, implementation waves and sequencing strategies.
• Evaluate migration options and recommend appropriate approaches including migration, re-platforming, re-engineering or retirement of legacy solutions.
• Define architecture principles, standards and key technical decisions for the target platform.
• Establish governance structures, delivery models and stakeholder engagement frameworks.
• Define transition and operating models to support coexistence of on-premise and cloud environments during migration.
• Develop cost, effort and timeline estimates to support programme planning and investment decisions.
• Produce executive-level business cases, proposals and recommendations for senior stakeholders and governance boards.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to architects, engineers and project teams throughout the programme lifecycle.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Significant experience leading large-scale data platform migration and transformation programmes.
• Proven track record delivering on-premise to cloud migration strategies and roadmaps for enterprise organisations.
• Experience assessing complex data estates comprising data warehouses, ETL solutions, reporting platforms and analytics workloads.
• Strong background in migration planning, dependency analysis, workload rationalisation and solution modernisation.
• Experience defining governance models, operating models and delivery approaches for major transformation initiatives.
• Experience developing business cases, investment proposals and implementation estimates. 
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience engaging senior executives, technical leaders and business teams.

Technical Skills

Essential

• Data Architecture
• Enterprise Data Platforms
• Cloud Data Architecture
• Azure Data Platform
• Databricks
• Data Lakehouse Architecture
• Data Warehousing
• ETL / ELT Architecture
• Data Governance
• Data Modelling
• Data Migration Strategy
• Solution Architecture
• Business Case Development
• Programme Planning and Estimation

Strong Knowledge Of

• SQL Server
• SSIS
• SSAS
• Power BI
• Azure Data Factory
• Unity Catalog
• Medallion Architecture
• Databricks Jobs and Pipelines
• Replication and CDC Patterns
• Analytics and Reporting Platforms

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Relevant cloud architecture certifications highly desirable.
• Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification desirable.
• Databricks certification desirable.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Architectural leadership
• Executive communication
• Stakeholder management
• Commercial acumen
• Business case development
• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Influencing and negotiation
• Delivery planning

Additional Information

Why Version 1? 

 At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability. 

• Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company's profits 
• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme 
• Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance 
• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Pension, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme 
• Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more. Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies 
• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat 
• Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & Star Awards.
• Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes. 

And many more exciting benefits… drop us a note to find out more.    

Version 1 is an equal opportunities employer. 

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences, and we value the different perspectives people bring including those shaped by disability and neurodiversity. 

We want every candidate to have a positive and accessible recruitment experience. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process, please contact your recruiter [email protected] at Version 1. We will consider all requests carefully, respectfully and confidentially. 

Video links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_d3ELTH5zo 

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