Principal Data Architect
Job summary
We are recruiting a number of Principal Data Architects. The roles sit within the National Data Architecture function of NHS England. This team is fundamental to the technical design of Transforming and Connecting Care, a £1.3 billion programme that is key to the delivery of the NHS ten-year plan. One of the main areas that the team is working on is the Single Patient Record, which is a core part of the Transforming and Connecting Care work that is included in the 2026 Health Bill.
National Data Architecture is a multi-phase programme aiming to build the core capabilities needed to support local, regional and national NHS data infrastructure. NDA is made up of connected components that define what data means, how it is structured, how it moves through systems, how it is governed and how its quality is improved. Together, these components provide the structure, meaning, context, standards and guidance needed to understand, move and reuse data across systems. Up to 6 roles are available within the Target Data Architecture function.
Main duties of the job
You will be assigned to one of the following focus areas:
Metadata, Quality and Standards - You will play a key role in defining and governing the core data foundations that enable the Federated Data Platform (FDP) to operate as a coherent, scalable and reusable national platform. Working at the heart of FDP's data architecture capability, you will lead the development of metadata, standards, reference data and Canonical Data Model (CDM) capabilities that ensure data is consistently defined, understood, governed and shared across national and local implementations.
Reference and Master Data - You will lead the design and delivery of NHS England's Reference and Master Data architecture, which provides the foundational data assets required to support the Single Patient Record and wider NHS digital transformation. The role includes responsibility for developing and delivering the NHS Reference Data Endpoint, creating a modern, scalable platform for publishing and consuming authoritative reference data across health and care.
Canonical Data Model - You would form part of a team that is responsible for developing the Logical Canonical Data Model, which establishes the definitive standard for health and care data across the NHS. Its primary aim is to create a consistent, single structure that eliminates data fragmentation, ensuring information is universally understood and easily used by systems, analysts, and clinicians.
About us
NHS England has a wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers. These are focused on supporting the wider NHS to deliver high quality care, as well as doing those things that are best done once for the whole NHS.
Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.
In March 2025, the Government announced that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care will increasingly merge functions, ultimately leading to NHS England being fully integrated into the department.
If you currently work within the NHS and if successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR).This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in our offices.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
We cannot offer visa sponsorship for any vacancies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, and person specification in the attached Job Description.
Please ensure your supporting statement includes demonstratable evidence and specific examples on how you meet the criteria for each of the key skills specified. This will be used in both the shortlisting and interview processes.
The post of Principal Data Architect has been awarded a Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP) in response to current labour market conditions. In recognition of this, the role attracts an additional monthly RRP payment equal to 20% per annum.
Please be aware that RRP is none contractual and subject to review.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Master's degree or equivalent qualification, specifically in a computing, scientific or mathematical subject or equivalent experience
Knowledge
- Extensive knowledge and experience in improving the quality of data and enabling organisations and systems to interoperate via use of a common business glossary, technical metadata lineages & linkage, rules, registers through an established reference data architecture.
Skills
- Ability to define and own parts of the data architecture strategy and contribute to the overall enterprise architecture strategy
- Experience of making difficult decisions to overcome obstacles but ensures that they are balanced, well researched and thought through.
Experience
- Demonstrable expertise in one or more of the following areas: oReference and Master Data Management oData Quality oMetadata Management oData Standardisation oData Linking and Integration
- Significant proven experience in data architecture and specialist knowledge gained through professional development activities undertaken in a range of multidisciplinary fields, primarily relating to Data Architecture Frameworks, Information Technology, People, Programme and Financial management
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
NHS England
Address
Any NHS England Office
Nationally
LS1 4AP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/