Data Architect (SFIA 5)

Zaizi is looking for a Data Architect to lead the design and evolution of data architectures for complex digital services across the UK public sector. You will work across multiple delivery teams and stakeholders to define coherent, secure and sustainable data architectures that enable analytics, operational reporting and data-driven services.

The role combines hands-on architectural design with leadership, assurance and stakeholder engagement, ensuring data solutions align with user needs, organisational strategy, and government standards.

This role suits someone operating at lead level: providing authoritative guidance, shaping data architecture decisions, and assuring that data solutions are fit for purpose, well governed and deliver long-term value without being tied to a specific cloud provider or vendor technology.

Requirements

We are happy to discuss these further during the interview process and jointly agree them with the successful candidate.

• Define and own data architecture designs that support digital services, analytics and operational decision-making.
• Set data architecture principles, standards and patterns that enable consistency across teams while allowing appropriate autonomy.
• Ensure data architectures address the full data lifecycle, including acquisition, storage, usage, sharing, retention and decommissioning.
• Provide technical leadership and assurance across delivery teams, reviewing designs and guiding implementation.
• Align data architecture decisions with user needs, business outcomes, security requirements and organisational risk appetite.
• Support and influence data governance, including metadata management, data quality, lineage and ownership.
• Engage with senior stakeholders and customers to explain architectural trade-offs and support informed decision-making.

Technical

You will have extensive commercial experience in a number of the following areas:

• Designing end-to-end data architectures for complex systems, including ingestion, processing, storage, analytics and access layers.
• Strong understanding of data modelling approaches (e.g. conceptual, logical and physical models; analytical and operational models).
• Experience designing architectures for analytics platforms, such as data warehouses, lakehouse-style platforms and domain-oriented data architectures.
• Knowledge of data integration patterns, including batch, event-driven and API-based approaches.
• Applying security-by-design and privacy-by-design principles to data architectures, including access control, classification and auditability.
• Experience working across cloud platforms, remaining vendor-neutral and selecting technologies based on context.
• Familiarity with modern data engineering and analytics tooling, including open-source ecosystems.

Competencies

• Operates at Lead Level (SFIA 5): provides authoritative guidance, influences decisions, and assures quality across teams.
• Strong ability to communicate architectural concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leaders.
• Comfortable working across multiple teams and suppliers, balancing strategic direction with delivery realities.
• Demonstrates leadership in shaping standards, patterns and best practice.
• Experienced in UK Government Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT / GDAT) environments, including GDS standards, security and governance expectations.
• Maintains a strong focus on outcomes, usability and service value, avoiding technology-led or vendor-driven solutions.

You don’t meet all the requirements?

Studies show that women and black, Asian and minority ethics people are less likely to apply for a job unless they meet every qualification. So if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with the job description, we’d love you to still apply. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role here at Zaizi.

We actively welcome applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, parents, carers, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

If you need any accommodations to support your specific situation, please feel free to let us know. For candidates who are neurodiverse or have disabilities, we are happy to make any adjustments needed throughout the interview process—just ask!

SC Clearance:

Zaizi works with UK Central Government departments on a range of projects. To be able to work on our customer projects, employees must be Security Cleared to a standard acceptable to our Government customers. Due to this restriction we can currently only recruit candidates who have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship and who have lived in the UK for the last 5+ years continuously.

Salary: £80,000 - £95,000

Benefits

Benefits

Compensation

• Competitive Pay: Salaries reviewed annually to ensure they reflect your performance and market value.
• Loyalty Pension: We invest in your future. Starting at a 5% employer contribution, we increase this by 0.5% every year after your third anniversary, up to a maximum of 8%.
• Protection: Comprehensive Group Life Assurance for peace of mind.

Purpose & Culture

• Real Impact: Work on mission-critical projects that secure and improve the UK's digital infrastructure.
• Autonomy: A culture that empowers you to make decisions, prototype rapidly, and iterate towards success.
• Service & Community: We support those who serve. 10 paid days for Reservist Military Service.

Work / Life Balance

• Time Off: 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, with the flexibility to Buy/Sell additional days to suit your lifestyle.
• Giving back: 2 paid volunteering days per year.

Development & Growth

• Master Your Craft: Fully funded professional certifications (AWS, GCP, Agile, etc.) supported by 5 days paid study leave.
• Expand Your Horizons: An additional £500 annual "Personal Choice" fund to learn whatever inspires you—work-related or not.
• Support: Access to 1-2-1 professional coaching and team training to accelerate your career.

Health & Balance

• Premium Health: Vitality Private Medical Insurance (includes Apple Watch, gym discounts, and rewards).
• Flexibility: Genuine hybrid working with a WFH equipment allowance to perfect your home setup.

• Wellbeing: Cycle to Work scheme and a commitment to sustainable, healthy working practices.

For further information contact: [email protected]

Nat Hinds: Head of Talent

Kayla Kirby: Talent Acquisition Specialist