Contract Data Architect - Senior SME (Modern Data Platform)
Contract Length: 12-18 months (strong potential to extend or move permanent) It will be Inside IR35
Day Rate: Flexible / TBC
Location: UKâbased, primarily remote
Ad hoc travel to StratfordâuponâAvon & London for workshops and occasional travel to Bucharest the main office is in Stratford.
Overview
We are seeking a Senior Data Architect to act as a subject matter expert for the design and build of a modern, enterpriseâscale data platform. This is a highâimpact contract role with full ownership of the data domain, supporting a multiâyear roadmap to transform an existing platform into a cloudânative, federated data architecture on Azure.
The organisation is in the process of lifting and modernising a largeâscale data landscape into Azure, with a strong likelihood of winning a major government contract, making this a longâterm and strategically critical engagement.
This role requires a handsâon architect - someone who can define strategy and architecture, but also work closely with delivery teams to ensure successful execution.
Key Responsibilities
* Own and shape the endâtoâend data architecture and data strategy, treating the data platform as a product
* Design and build a modern Azureâbased data platform supporting largeâscale data processing
* Define and implement modern federated data architecture principles
* Lead the adoption of Medallion Architecture (Bronze / Silver / Gold)
* Design and oversee robust data ingestion and data pipeline frameworks, including ingestion of poorâquality and complex data
* Provide architectural leadership for:
* Data lakes and lakehouse patterns
* Analytics and reporting platforms
* Master Data Management (MDM)
* Act as a handsâon technical authority, supporting and mentoring engineering teams
* Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders across the UK and nearâshore teams in Bucharest
* Ensure platforms are scalable, secure, and fit for future government and enterprise needs
Technical Environment
You will work extensively with:
* Azure Data Platform
* Databricks (Lakehouse architecture)
* Cosmos DB
* Azure Data Factory
* Talend (ETL)
* Power BI & Qlik
* Largeâscale data processing and analytics
* Master Data Management (MDM) concepts and tooling
Required Experience
* Proven experience as a Senior / Lead Data Architect on complex data transformation programmes
* Strong background designing and delivering modern cloud data platforms on Azure
* Handsâon experience with Databricks, Azure data services, and modern ETL pipelines
* Deep understanding of data architecture patterns, including lakehouse and federated models
* Experience working with imperfect and complex data sources
* Comfortable operating as the single point of ownership for a data domain
* Ability to translate strategy into detailed, actionable architecture
* Strong stakeholder engagement skills
Desirable
* Experience working in regulated or governmentâaligned environments
* Prior exposure to longâterm platform rebuild programmes
* Mentoring or leadership of multiâdisciplinary data teams
Why Apply?
* Longâterm 12-18 month contract with strong extension or permanent potential
* Opportunity to own and architect a modern data platform endâtoâend
* Significant influence on a multiâyear data transformation roadmap
* Flexible day rate
* Highâprofile programme with future government exposure
