Data Architect

Job summary:

• Do you have experience in the design, implementation and management of a cloud data warehouse repository
• Can you drive business transformation through innovation in data analysis tools and techniques
• Can you develop Data Architecture at an enterprise level that delivers solutions across multiple business areas and functions

The Digital, Data & Technology Directorate (DDaT) reports to the Commission’s Chief Operating Officer and is accountable for delivering digital, data and technology services and outcomes that ensure that the organisation functions and performs effectively and efficiently. Without DDaT, the Commission would not be able to function and deliver its statutory objectives.

As a member of the multi-skilled DDaT (Digital Data and Technology) function is it essential the post-holder will work closely and collaboratively with colleagues across the function, within the Data Engineering Team, the DDAT Directorate and the wider Commission providing technical expertise to enable the Commission to use its data assets to achieve strategic aims. This job description and responsibilities are aligned to the Digital, Data, and Technology profession capability framework.

The Data Architect is responsible for the data products as owner and provide technical expertise by leading in design implementation and management of numerous complex data flows for analytics and business intelligence (BI) systems and across different data systems from operational databases to data lakes and data warehouses.

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Data Warehouse management. You can lead on the design an appropriate cloud data warehouse repository and present and implement changes to existing repositories. You understand a range of tools for storing and transforming data. You can provide oversight and technical expertise to more inexperienced members of the team. (Relevant skill level: expert)
• Data innovation. You can identify, design, and implement areas of innovation in data tools and techniques and recognise appropriate timing for adoption. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)
• Data integration design. You lead on implementing data integration standards and you know how to keep those standards up to date and ensure adherence to them. You keep abreast of best practice in industry and across government. (Relevant skill level: expert)
• Data modelling. You can understand the concepts and principles of data modelling and can produce relevant data models. You can work across the commission and government, recognising opportunities for the reuse and alignment of data models in different organisations. You can lead the design to categorise data models within an organisation. (Skill level: expert)
• Problem resolution (data). You can anticipate problems and know how to prevent them. You can understand how problems fit into the bigger picture. You can identify and describe problems and help others to describe them. You can build problem-solving capabilities in others. (Skill level: expert)
• Product ownership. You own key commission data products and can use a range of product management principles and approaches using listening and critical thinking skills. You can capture user needs and translate them into deliverables. You can define the minimum viable product (MVP) and make decisions about priorities.
• Communicating between the technical and non-technical. You can mediate between people and mend relationships, communicating with stakeholders at all levels. You can manage stakeholder expectations and moderate discussions about high risk and complexity, even within constrained timescales. You can lead by speaking on behalf of and represent the data community to large audiences inside and outside of government. (Skill level: expert)
• Turning business problems into data design. You can lead by designing Data Architecture by dealing with problems that span different business areas. You can draw links between problems to reach common solutions. You can work across multiple data subject areas, or a single large or complicated subject area (Relevant skill level: expert)
• Strategic thinking. You can explain the strategic context of your work and why it is important. You can support strategic planning in an administrative capacity. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)

Person specification

Ability:

• Stakeholder management
• Coaching and developing colleagues
• Collaborating and influencing
• Product ownership of the CCEW large data products
• Ability to plan and prioritise competing demands, including balancing governance against delivery to ensure directorate and Commission performance targets and deadlines are met
• To embed cultural change through collaborating, negotiation and influencing skills
• Ability to establish, build and maintain relations with key stakeholders across the Commission to deliver strategic data outcomes
• Politically and organisationally astute

Experience:

• A proven track record in successfully delivering results and strong performance through team-based and partnership working
• Leveraging external data sources
• Leading the design and technical expertise of data products
• Data warehouse owner and expert

Technical:

• Technical expertise in data engineering, design, modelling, and integration
• Microsoft technology and Azure Cloud Services
• GDS standards
• Data Innovation