Senior Data Architect

Role Overview

• Perform planning aligned to key data solutions
• Build and participate the architecture capability building
• Perform data architecture and design
• Manage data architecture risk and compliance
• Provide design and build governance and support
• Communicate and share knowledge around the architecture practices, guardrails, blueprints and standards related to the data solution design
• Lead data solution requirements gathering and ensure alignment with business objectives and constraints
• Define and refine data architecture runways for intentional architecture with the key stakeholders
• Provide input into business cases and costing
• Design and implement enterprise-grade data architectures leveraging Databricks and cloud-native technologies
• Develop and oversee data architecture views and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture
• Maintain and oversee the data solution artifacts in the set enterprise repository and knowledge portals aligned to the rest of the architecture
• Manage the data architecture processes based on the requirements for each architecture type
• Manage change impact of the data architecture with stakeholders
• Develop and participate in the build of the data architecture practice with embedded architects and engineers including the relevant methods, repository and tools
• Manage the data architecture considering the business, application, information/data and technology viewpoints
• Establish, enforce and implement data standards, guardrails, frameworks, and patterns
• Lead and review logical and detailed data architecture
• Evaluate and approve data solution options and technology selections
• Select appropriate technology, tools and build for the solution
• Oversee and maintain the data solution blueprints
• Drive incremental modernisation initiatives in the delivery area
• Define data modeling standards, governance frameworks, and best practices for structured and unstructured data.
• Identify, assess and mitigate risks at a data solution architecture level
• Ensure and enforce compliance with policies, standards, and regulations
• Lead data architecture reviews and integrate with governance functions
• Integrate with other governance and compliance functions to ensure continuity in managing investment and risk for the organisation pertaining to the solution architectures
• Establish and provide data standards, guidance, and tools to delivery teams.
• Establish and provide data solution architecture and tools to the delivery and data engineering teams
• Lead and facilitate collaboration with delivery teams to achieve architecture objectives
• Manage and resolve deviations and ensure up-to-date data solution design documentation
• Identify opportunities to optimise delivery of solutions
• Oversee and conduct post-implementation reviews
• Ensure the data architecture supports CI/CD pipelines to facilitate rapid and reliable deployment of data solutions
• Implement automated testing frameworks for data solutions to ensure quality and reliability throughout the development lifecycle
• Establish performance monitoring and optimisation practices to ensure data solutions meet performance benchmarks and can scale as needed
• Integrate robust data security measures, including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits, into the implementation process
• Lead data warehouse migration projects from legacy platforms to modern cloud-based solutions
• Communicate and advocate up-to-date data solution architecture views
• Communicate the relevant data standards, practices, guardrails and tools to stakeholders relevant to the solution design
• Ensure IT teams are well-informed and trained in architecture requirements
• Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders' relevant views on planning, technology assessments, risk, compliance, governance and implementation assessments
• Foster collaboration between data architects, data engineers, and other IT teams through regular cross-functional meetings and agile ceremonies
• Communicate and maintain up-to-date blueprint designs for key data solutions
• Ensure effective participation in the agile ceremonies (PI planning, sprint planning, retrospectives, demos)
• Implement regular feedback loops with stakeholders and end-users to continuously improve data solutions based on real-world usage and requirements
• Create a culture of knowledge sharing by organising regular workshops, training sessions, and documentation updates to keep all team members informed about the latest data architecture practices and tools

Requirements

• Matric
• Degree or diploma in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering OR relevant diploma / degree
• Requires a minimum of 5 years in a technical/solution design role and a minimum of 7 years relevant IT experience
• Required a minimum of 7 years related experience in data engineering, data modeling and design and data management and governance
• Expert-level proficiency in Databricks, including Delta Lake, Spark, and MLflow.
• Hands-on experience in large-scale data platform implementation (preferably cloud-based).
• Proven track record in data warehouse migration (e.g., Teradata, Oracle, or on-prem to cloud).
• Strong knowledge of data modeling (Relational, Kimball etc.), data governance, and data integration patterns.
• ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS/ EXPERIENCE DAMA-DMBOK TOGAF ArchiMate Cloud Architecture Certifications (AWS, Azure)
• Financial Industry Experience
• Certifications in Databricks, AWS Data Engineer, or similar.
• Proficiency in SQL, Python, and distributed data processing frameworks.
• Familiarity with CI/CD for data pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Experience with Lakehouse architecture and real-time streaming solutions

Tech Stack

• AWS
• Azure
• Cloud
• Oracle
• Python
• Spark
• SQL

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements
• Professional development opportunities