Enterprise Data Architect, Guernsey, Jersey, London & Southampton

Our client is a leading international financial services group with a strong reputation for technology-led solutions. They are looking for an experienced Enterprise Data Architect to help deliver an ambitious data and technology strategy.

Reporting to the Head of Enterprise Architecture, this role will take ownership of the organisation’s enterprise data architecture and the continued development of its Azure Data Platform. A major focus will be the design and governance of a Databricks Lakehouse environment.

This is a senior, hands-on architecture position. It offers the opportunity to influence data governance, Master Data Management, artificial intelligence adoption and secure data-saring across an international business.

Hybrid working is available across all locations. Fully remote working is available only for candidates based in Southampton.

Key Responsibilities
• Define and maintain the enterprise data architecture, including target-state designs, roadmaps, standards and architectural patterns.
• Own the architecture of the Databricks Lakehouse platform.
• Develop workspace designs, Unity Catalog structures, medallion architecture and environment strategies.
• Design secure and scalable data-sharing solutions for clients and third parties.
• Establish integration patterns using Databricks Delta Sharing, APIs, event streaming and managed file transfers.
• Lead the design and adoption of Master Data Management solutions.
• Define entity models, golden-record strategies, match-and-merge rules and data stewardship processes.
• Establish standards for Databricks performance and cost optimisation.
• Develop conceptual, logical and physical data-modelling standards.
• Embed data quality, lineage, cataloguing, classification and access controls into platform designs.
• Ensure data architectures meet security, privacy, GDPR and data-residency requirements.
• Review solution designs and provide architectural assurance to engineering teams.
• Design data architectures that support machine learning, generative AI and agentic AI use cases.
• Work with AI and machine learning teams on feature engineering, model data pipelines, vector search and the secure use of enterprise data.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and make practical build, buy or adopt recommendations.
• Explain architectural decisions clearly to senior leaders and non-technical stakeholders.

About You
The successful candidate will bring deep, hands-on expertise in enterprise data architecture and modern cloud-based data platforms. You should have:
• Strong practical experience with Databricks, including Unity Catalog, Delta Lake, workflows and platform administration.
• Experience designing secure external data-sharing solutions using Delta Sharing, APIs, event streaming or managed file transfer.
• A proven background in designing and implementing Master Data Management solutions.
• Knowledge of data stewardship, reference data management and MDM tooling selection.
• Demonstrable experience optimising Databricks performance and cost at scale.
• Strong data-modelling expertise, including dimensional modelling, 3NF, Data Vault or similar approaches.
• A solid understanding of Microsoft Azure storage, networking and identity services.
• Experience with data governance frameworks and tools such as Microsoft Purview.
• Knowledge of data quality, metadata, cataloguing and lineage practices.
• Strong SQL skills and working knowledge of Python and/or Spark.
• A sound understanding of encryption, RBAC, ABAC, data masking, GDPR and wider regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical decisions into clear business language.

Benefits
The wider benefits package may include:
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• The ability to work abroad for up to three weeks per year.
• Generous holiday allowance.
• Pension scheme.
• Private medical insurance, including eye care.
• Life assurance and critical illness cover.
• Worldwide travel insurance.
• Health and wellbeing programmes.
• On-site parking, depending on location.
• Support for professional qualifications and continued development.

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