Data Architect

We are seeking an experienced Lead Data Architect to lead the discovery, assessment and planning phase of a large-scale cloud data migration programme. This role will be responsible for defining the migration strategy, target-state architecture, delivery roadmap, governance approach, operating model and business case required to support a complex enterprise transformation initiative. The successful candidate will provide architectural leadership across business and technology stakeholders, guiding the assessment of existing data platforms and analytics solutions while defining a pragmatic migration approach to a modern cloud-based data ecosystem. Key Responsibilities • Lead the architecture and strategy for an enterprise-scale data platform modernisation programme. • Define migration scope, target-state architecture and transformation approach across data, analytics and reporting platforms. • Conduct data estate assessments, inventory analysis and dependency mapping to understand migration complexity and effort. • Develop migration roadmaps, implementation waves and sequencing strategies. • Evaluate migration options and recommend appropriate approaches including migration, re-platforming, re-engineering or retirement of legacy solutions. • Define architecture principles, standards and key technical decisions for the target platform. • Establish governance structures, delivery models and stakeholder engagement frameworks. • Define transition and operating models to support coexistence of on-premise and cloud environments during migration. • Develop cost, effort and timeline estimates to support programme planning and investment decisions. • Produce executive-level business cases, proposals and recommendations for senior stakeholders and governance boards. • Provide leadership and mentoring to architects, engineers and project teams throughout the programme lifecycle. Required Experience • Significant experience leading large-scale data platform migration and transformation programmes. • Proven track record delivering on-premise to cloud migration strategies and roadmaps for enterprise organisations. • Experience assessing complex data estates comprising data warehouses, ETL solutions, reporting platforms and analytics workloads. • Strong background in migration planning, dependency analysis, workload rationalisation and solution modernisation. • Experience defining governance models, operating models and delivery approaches for major transformation initiatives. • Experience developing business cases, investment proposals and implementation estimates.  • Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience engaging senior executives, technical leaders and business teams. Technical Skills Essential • Data Architecture • Enterprise Data Platforms • Cloud Data Architecture • Azure Data Platform • Databricks • Data Lakehouse Architecture • Data Warehousing • ETL / ELT Architecture • Data Governance • Data Modelling • Data Migration Strategy • Solution Architecture • Business Case Development • Programme Planning and Estimation Strong Knowledge Of • SQL Server • SSIS • SSAS • Power BI • Azure Data Factory • Unity Catalog • Medallion Architecture • Databricks Jobs and Pipelines • Replication and CDC Patterns • Analytics and Reporting Platforms Qualifications • Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or a related discipline. • Relevant cloud architecture certifications highly desirable. • Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification desirable. • Databricks certification desirable. Key Competencies • Strategic thinking • Architectural leadership • Executive communication • Stakeholder management • Commercial acumen • Business case development • Problem solv