Lead Data Architect

About The Role

We’re looking for a Lead Data Architect to join our digital transformation consultancy. This is a strategic role that leads data strategy for public sector clients. Lead Data Architects look at data holistically, supporting clients to define the vision for data in their organisation.

As a Data Architect, You Will

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• Guide and support clients to define data strategy in line with broader organisational strategy
  
• Map where and how data is used and stored across a client organisation
  
• Design data architecture
  
• Set data standards, design governance, and define ways of working for data
  

You will bring a user‑centered approach to data, ensuring that data meets the needs of users and stakeholders and helps the client to deliver effective services. You'll operate as a trusted advisor, liaising with senior client stakeholders. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across design, technology, and delivery. You will lead smaller engagements or play a senior role on larger ones. You will be the source of oversight and advice on data for the wider team and for the client. The Lead level is aligned to level 6 in the SFIA framework. You will also support the development of junior colleagues and contribute to team culture and business development.

Responsibilities
Understanding Data Landscapes

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• Analyse client data landscapes and document data systems, mapping data assets, information flows and user needs
  
• Create documentation, visual artefacts and architecture diagrams including data landscapes, data flows, and catalogued data products
  
• Conduct Data Maturity Assessments assessing staff capabilities and data usage for decision making
  

Developing Data Strategy

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• Collaborate with client stakeholders to design data strategies aligned to organisation strategy and goals
  
• Develop prioritised roadmaps to implement data strategy
  
• Conduct options appraisals
  
• Advise on data capabilities and operating models, providing support to build data literacy where necessary
  
• Advise on AI adoption, assessing AI readiness
  

Implementing Data Strategy

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• Develop data standards, create data catalogues, identify data owners and design governance processes to maintain data quality and usability
  
• Design interoperable data solutions to meet client needs, advising on selection and implementation of data products and tools
  

Stakeholder Management

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• Facilitate workshops and interviews with clients and users to understand user needs and organisational priorities
  
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, building trust with senior stakeholders
  
• Communicate complex technical information to non‑technical stakeholders
  
• Lead project workstreams or small/medium client work in data‑related engagements
  

Internal Responsibilities

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• Contribute to the continual development of our technology and data practice, mentor or line manage more junior consultants and contribute to internal learning
  
• Contribute to bids, proposals and marketing
  
• Maintain a strong understanding of emerging trends and technologies in the data space
  

About You
Professional Knowledge and Experience
Essential

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• Successful track record of designing data architecture and producing architecture artefacts, e.g. data landscapes, enterprise conceptual models, and data flow diagrams
  
• Proven experience of data governance and improving data quality
  
• Experience designing or reviewing organisation‑wide data strategies
  
• Strong verbal and written skills and experience of presenting technical concepts and recommendations to both technical and non‑technical audiences
  
• Demonstrable knowledge of a wide range of data solutions, common data platforms, and emerging data technologies, and understanding of common constraints and considerations
  
• Experience in a consultancy setting, demonstrating adaptability and responsiveness to client needs and working with stakeholders at multiple levels across the organisation
  
• Experience managing senior business stakeholders
  
• Champion of user needs and user‑centered design in the context of data
  
• Committed to personal and professional development, staying abreast of industry trends
  
• A technology and platform agnostic perspective
  

Desirable

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• Experience working in diverse, remote, and multi‑disciplinary teams
  
• Experience with agile methodologies
  
• Experience leading projects or teams
  
• Awareness of the priorities and challenges of public sector and charity sector organisations, preferably from experience working in or with public sector organisations
  

Technical Skills

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• Communicating between the technical and non‑technical ability to interpret and negotiate between needs of technical and non‑technical stakeholders
  
• Strategic thinking ability to define and evaluate strategies
  
• Communicating data- turn complex data into clear and well‑understood solutions
  
• Data innovation- identify opportunities for adopting innovative approaches or tools
  
• Data governance- define data governance and assurance for clients
  
• Data lifecycle- understand and apply data governance over a data lifecycle
  
• Metadata management- understand and promote the use of metadata repositories
  
• Data modelling- produce relevant data models across multiple subject areas
  
• Data standards- refine, develop or apply and set data standards
  

About The Process

To Apply: If you would like to express interest in this role, please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter max 2 pages highlighting your relevant experience against the essential requirements for the role.

Deadline for applications: There is no fixed closing date for this role. We will be reviewing applications as they come in and may close the advert once we have made the required number of hires, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Screening calls: We’ll be arranging screening calls on a rolling basis

First round Interviews to be scheduled: Within 5‑10 days if shortlisted after the screening call

Second round interviews & presentation: 5 days from 1st stage interview

We are committed to having a positive impact on the clients and the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from women, disabled, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates and historically under‑represented groups.

About Us
People‑Powered Transformation

We’re a purpose‑driven organisation, supporting organisations to build a better future for people, places and the planet. Combining vast experience in the public, private and third sectors and expertise in human‑centred design, data, experience and technology, we’re creating sustainable solutions ready for an ever‑evolving world.

At the heart of TPXimpact, we’re collaborative and empathetic. We’re a team of passionate people who care deeply about the work we do and the impact we have in the world. We know that change happens through people, with people and for people. That’s why we believe in people‑powered transformation.

Working in close collaboration with our clients, we seek to understand their unique challenges, questioning assumptions and building in their teams the capabilities and confidence to continue learning, iterating and adapting.

Benefits Include

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• 30 days holiday + bank holidays
  
• 2 volunteer days for causes that you are passionate about
  
• Maternity/paternity - 6 months Maternity Leave, 3 months Paternity Leave
  
• Life assurance
  
• Employer pension contribution of 5%
  
• Health cash plan
  
• Personal learning and development budget
  
• Employee Assistance Programme
  
• Access to equity in the business through a Share Incentive Plan
  
• Green incentive programmes including Electric Vehicle Leasing and the Cycle to Work Scheme
  
• Financial advice
  
• Health assessments
  

About TPXimpact - Digital Transformation

We drive fundamental change in approaches to product and service development, delivery and technology. Our agile, multidisciplinary teams use technology, design and data to deliver better results, improving outcomes for individuals, organisations and communities.

By working in the open, in partnership with our clients, we not only transform their systems and services but also build the capability of their teams, so work can continue without us in the longer term. Our focus is sustainable change, always delivered with positive impact.

We’re an inclusive employer, and we care about diversity in our teams. Let us know in your application if you have accessibility requirements during the interview.