Lead Architect - Data Platform

Canada Life UK looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals, families and companies. We help to build better futures for our customers, our intermediaries and our employees by operating as a modern, agile and welcoming organisation.
Part of our parent company Great-West Lifeco, Canada Life UK has operated in the United Kingdom since 1903. We have hundreds of respected and supported employees committed to doing the right thing for our customers and colleagues.
Canada Life UK is transforming to create a more customer-focused business by providing our customers with expertise on financial and tax planning, offering home finance and annuities propositions, and providing collective fund solutions to third party customers.
What we're building
We are seeking a Lead Architect to join our Digital and Customer Engineering department and take charge of the design and build of our Data Platform solution architecture being implemented using full-stack Azure Data Platform capabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the technical development of CLUK's Data Platform and data management services, unlocking the value of the data our company produces.
Job summary
As a Lead Architect, you will be responsible for the end-to-end solution architecture of the CLUK Data Platform, taking it from inception through design, architecture, data modelling, coding frameworks, and ELT, and into ongoing operational ownership and change management. You will create robust data management and hosting capabilities to support operational processes, citizen development teams, and Data Science, including AI/ML.
In this role, you will collaborate with others to drive the reuse of Data Platform components and services, communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. You will set Data Platform-related reference architectures, standards, and design patterns, and ensure that Data Platform delivery teams are working to these standards.
The successful candidate will have experience in leading the definition of Data Platform solutions and work packages, delivering change initiatives, and achieving strategic objectives. You will share overall responsibility with the Data Platform delivery team for all aspects of project activities and deliverables.
If you are a solutions-focused architect with a passion for data and the ability to lead and drive change, we want to hear from you. Apply now to join our team and help shape the future of our Data Platform.
Duties/Responsibilities

• Be responsible for end-to-end solution architecture of the Data Platform - taking the platform from inception, through design, architecture, data modelling, coding frameworks and ELT and through into ongoing operational ownership and change management.
• Create robust data management and hosting capabilities for supporting operational processes, citizen development teams and Data Science incl AI/ML.
• Create opportunities to collaborate and drive reuse of Data Platform components and services, communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Set Data Platform related reference architectures, standards and design patterns and ensure Data Platform delivery teams are working to these.
• Provide oversight and advice to other Lead Architects and/or Data SMEs who are undertaking the design of solutions leveraging the Data Platform and related data services and capabilities; support the management of a data service catalog.
• Work with Data Architect(s), Principal Architects and other Lead Architects to make sure that organisation's systems are designed in accordance with the appropriate data and technology architecture.
• Undertake structured analysis of technical issues, translating this analysis into technical designs that describe a solution for resolution - evolving new components, capabilities and patterns as required.
• Provide Peer Reviews - participate in design and code walkthroughs and be consulted on general design, design patterns and technical issues as part of the wider Architecture practice.
• Maintain a leading-edge view of the overall data delivery technology landscape looking for opportunities for improvement of the Data Platform ecosystem.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Big Data Architecture Definition and Implementation using Cloud Native design.
• Creation of cloud-native data solution architectures for data management, exploration and exploitation using established patterns such as lakehouses, data hubs, data mesh and others
• Demonstrable experience and expertise in multiple Azure data technologies and services (such as Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory, Azure Integration Services, Power BI, Data Catalog, MS Purview, MS Fabric, etc.)
• The ability to work with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into technical designs.
• Creates an optimal design through an iterative process, aligning the user need with the system requirements and organisational objectives.
• Capable of producing strategy for Data Platform technology that meets business needs. Able to create, refine and challenge patterns, standards, policies, roadmaps and vision statements.
• Understands technical governance and is able to participate in or deliver the assurance of a service.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in I.T.
• Data Solution Architecture experience
• TOGAF or BCS Certification (Desirable)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer (Desirable)

Benefits of working at Canada Life
We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that's regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you'll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with, income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance. We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development.
How we work at Canada Life
Our culture is unique and incredibly important to us. We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures. Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationships we have with others. Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward.
We want colleagues to have rewarding careers with us so we invest in the development of our people, technology and workplaces. That's why we offer