Data Architect | SC Mandatory | Azure

Location Manchester, United Kingdom (Hybrid/Remote)

Work Pattern Hybrid

Rate £575 per day

IR35 Status Inside IR35

Clearance SC (Existing) MANDATORY

Overview

The Data Architect will lead the design and governance of data architecture for cloud-based projects built on the Microsoft Azure ecosystem. This role is responsible for defining scalable, secure, and compliant data architectures that support analytics, operational reporting, and advanced data capabilities across the department. Working closely with delivery teams, digital services, security, and policy teams, the Data Architect will ensure that data designs align with government digital standards, enable data sharing, and maximise the value of departmental data assets. This is a hands-on role requiring deep technical expertise with modern cloud-based database platforms and architectures.

Key Responsibilities:

- Define and maintain solutions that contribute to the department's enterprise data architecture
- Develop Azure-based architectures for analytics, operational data, and integration platforms
- Align architecture with government digital standards and data principles
- Ensure solutions support interoperability across government systems
- Design and govern data architecture using Azure services including Azure Postgres, Azure Storage Account, Azure Data Factory, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Lake Storage, and Azure Synapse Analytics
- Define data cataloguing, metadata management, and data life cycle strategies
- Support batch and streaming data pipelines
- Develop conceptual, logical, and physical data models
- Enable data migration between Legacy systems and cloud platforms
- Establish and enforce data governance frameworks ensuring compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
- Design architectures compliant with UK government security standards

Essential Skills:

- Experience with Azure services such as Azure Data Factory, Microsoft Fabric, and Azure Data Lake Storage
- Expertise in data modelling (conceptual, logical, physical)
- Knowledge of ETL/ELT and modern data pipelines
- Strong SQL and Scripting skills (eg, Python/PowerShell preferred)
- Experience with reviewing indexes, query plans, stored procedures, locks, and data integrity
- Understanding of UK government digital service standards (GDS)
- Knowledge of data protection and regulatory frameworks
- Experience working in public sector delivery environments
- Strategic thinking and architecture leadership
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills

Nice To Have:

- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate
- Experience with DevOps and CI/CD for data platforms
- Knowledge of Data Quality Tooling and measurement
- Familiarity with data governance tooling (eg, Purview)