Lead Data Architect

Salary: £33,000 - 65,000 per year

Requirements:

• We need strong data strategy and architecture capability to define and deliver a scalable data architecture aligned to programme objectives and external standards.
• We need strong expertise in data modelling and standards, with the ability to develop and govern data models and ensure consistency and interoperability across systems and government partners.
• We need experience designing end-to-end data flows to support seamless data collection, processing and dissemination at scale.
• We need proven leadership in complex programmes, including data governance, quality standards and effective stakeholder engagement.
• We would value experience with advanced architectures such as data mesh, data fabric and real-time or event-driven systems.
• We would value experience with modern tools such as Databricks, Snowflake, Kafka and dbt.
• We would value cloud engineering maturity, including CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, DataOps and containers.
• We would value experience supporting AI/ML enablement, including MLOps and advanced analytics platforms.
• We would value analytics expertise, including BI tools and semantic data layers.
• We would value certifications and frameworks such as TOGAF, DAMA and cloud certifications.
• We need applicants to hold, or be willing to apply for, a valid Basic Disclosure Scotland.

Responsibilities:

• We will design, govern and oversee data models and metadata systems, ensuring alignment with business needs.
• We will provide strategic leadership on data architecture across the programme, supporting the overall architecture lead and data architecture vision.
• We will ensure systems are designed in accordance with agreed data architecture principles and standards.
• We will champion data architecture practices, standards and ways of working across teams.
• We will manage data-related risks, resolve complex data issues and drive continuous improvement.
• We will ensure effective integration of data across products, services and external partners.
• We will set the vision for how our organisation uses data through effective data design.
• We will translate business needs into a robust data architecture and ensure consistency across services and products.
• We will lead across multidisciplinary teams in an Agile delivery environment and engage with stakeholders across government partners.
• We will define and deliver the programmes data strategy in line with wider enterprise and cross-government data standards.

Technologies:

• AI
• Census
• CI/CD
• Cloud
• Databricks
• Fabric
• Support
• Kafka
• Snowflake
• TOGAF
• dbt
• Architect
• Flow

More:

We are supporting a public sector client delivering data capabilities for Scotlands Census 2031. This is a 6-month contract, inside IR35, based in Edinburgh on a hybrid working basis with an immediate start. The day rate is dependent on experience. The role sits within a multidisciplinary, Agile environment and involves working closely with government partners to deliver secure, scalable and well-governed data architecture across the programme.

last updated 32 week of 2026