Data Architect - SC or DV Cleared

Secure UK Government Programme | Contract | Inside IR35 | Hybrid Working

We are supporting a high-profile UK Government programme that is strengthening and modernising its data capability across a complex, highly secure technology environment.

The programme requires an experienced Data Architect to define robust data architecture, improve how information is structured and governed, and ensure that data can be used securely and effectively across operational and digital services.

This is a strategically important role requiring someone who can combine strong architecture expertise with the ability to work pragmatically alongside delivery teams, engineers, analysts, product leaders and senior stakeholders.

You will be responsible for shaping the programme's data architecture and ensuring that data solutions align with wider organisational, security and technology strategies.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Defining current-state, transitional and target-state data architectures.

• Developing data models, standards, principles and architectural roadmaps.

• Designing secure, scalable and interoperable data solutions.

• Establishing effective approaches to data governance, ownership, quality, lineage and metadata.

• Supporting the integration of data across Legacy, cloud and modern digital platforms.

• Ensuring data architecture meets relevant security, privacy and regulatory requirements.

• Working with engineering and delivery teams to translate architectural strategy into practical solutions.

• Reviewing proposed designs and providing architectural assurance.

• Identifying opportunities to improve data accessibility, reusability and consistency.

• Communicating complex architectural decisions clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Significant experience working as a Data Architect, Senior Data Architect or Enterprise Data Architect.

• Strong knowledge of conceptual, logical and physical data modelling.

• Experience designing data architectures across complex organisations or programmes.

• A strong understanding of data governance, metadata management, data lineage and data quality.

• Experience integrating data across multiple systems, platforms and organisational boundaries.

• Knowledge of modern cloud-based data platforms and architectural patterns.

• Experience developing data strategies, architecture principles and technical roadmaps.

• The ability to balance long-term architectural direction with immediate delivery priorities.

• Strong stakeholder-management skills, including experience influencing senior technical and business leaders.

• Experience working within structured architecture governance and assurance processes.

• Experience within UK Government, policing, law enforcement, defence, national security or another highly regulated environment.

• Knowledge of AWS, Azure, Microsoft Fabric or comparable cloud data platforms.

• Experience with data lakes, data warehouses, lakehouse architectures and Real Time or event-driven data solutions.

• Understanding of APIs, microservices and modern systems-integration approaches.

• Familiarity with data cataloguing, master data management and information-management frameworks.

• Experience supporting analytics, artificial intelligence or machine-learning programmes.

• Knowledge of relevant Government Digital Service, NCSC or public-sector technology standards.

Applicants must already hold active and transferable Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.

Due to the nature and urgency of the programme, we cannot consider applicants who are only eligible for clearance or whose clearance has expired.

This is an opportunity to influence data architecture across a significant and technically complex government programme. You will work within a highly capable environment where secure, well-governed and accessible data is central to improving services and operational outcomes.

Please apply with an up-to-date CV clearly outlining your data architecture experience, current security-clearance level and availability.