Data Architect

Data Architect

Harrogate- Hybrid workingUp to £80,000 (DOE) + Benefits

Are you an experienced Data Architect looking to shape the data foundations of a modern, forward-thinking organisation? This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of enterprise-wide data architecture and play a central role in how data is structured, governed, protected, and leveraged across the business.

In this role, you'll define the organisation's data vision and turn strategic goals into real, scalable data capabilities - ensuring data is trusted, secure, and treated as a strategic asset. You'll work closely with senior leaders, architects, engineers, analysts, and cybersecurity specialists to design robust data environments that support operational excellence and innovation in areas such as AI, analytics and cloud-based delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the organisation's data architecture strategy, aligning it to business goals and regulatory standards.
• Apply best practices from DMBOK and other recognised frameworks to build a modern, scalable data ecosystem.
• Implement and maintain strong governance frameworks, including data quality, stewardship, ownership, and consistency processes.
• Embed security and risk-management into all architectural design.
• Oversee data across its full lifecycle - from acquisition and modelling through to storage, usage, archiving and disposal.
• Ensure data lineage, retention policies, and governance controls are fully embedded.
• Design scalable architecture components including data lakes, warehouses, metadata repositories, and modern data mesh/fabric approaches.
• Support integration across multiple platforms and enterprise systems.
• Produce conceptual, logical, and physical data models that support business needs and integrate effectively with the wider enterprise architecture.
• Partner with solution architects, engineers, and cybersecurity teams to embed strong data architecture principles throughout delivery.
• Stay ahead of emerging trends in AI/ML, cloud data platforms, real-time analytics, and modern architecture patterns.
• Propose improvements that enhance the organisation's data capability and maturity.

As Data Architect you will have:

• Proven experience designing and evolving enterprise-level data architecture.
• Strong understanding of data governance, data quality, and master data management.
• Experience designing secure, compliant environments aligned to CAF or similar frameworks.
• Expertise in metadata management, data cataloguing and integration platforms (e.g. MuleSoft, Boomi, ADF, AWS Glue).
• Knowledge of cloud platforms - AWS is particularly desirable.
• Understanding of BI and visualisation tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI).
• Experience building solutions with AWS and Snowflake, including secure data sharing and performance optimisation.
• Proficiency in data modelling tools and modelling languages (UML/ERD).
• Familiarity with data mesh, event-driven design, and cloud-native services.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience in agile and DevOps environments (desirable).
• Understanding of AI/ML lifecycle impacts on data architecture (desirable).
• Awareness of ESG data, data ethics, and responsible AI (desirable).

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates