Data Architect

Grade 8

The Data Architect plays a key role in helping the University achieve the objectives set out in its IT Strategic Plan by improving the quality of information available to researchers, students, departments and colleges; providing an integrated and trusted view of the data from each business system, a shared enterprise logical data architecture and clear data governance.

The Data Architect will lead on data governance and strategy, data modelling, data architecture solutions for integrations, migrations, analytics, application development and data quality, as well as collaborate with other data practitioners, business data experts, data analysts, business analysts, software developers and technical architects. Importantly, the post holder will be passionate about data, an excellent communicator, an inclusive team player and willing to learn new skills.

The Data Architect will work at a high level of detail and precision in the development of data artefacts using the University’s enterprise-level modelling toolset and repository, will champion good data management practices and will mentor junior data colleagues where appropriate.

Specialist training will be provided depending on the needs of the post holder (for example, data modelling, data analytics, GDPR, enterprise-level modelling toolset).

Essential selection criteria

  • Educated to degree level in an analytical subject, or equivalent professional training and experience
  • Experience in analysing and modelling data gained from working with a complex business application portfolio
  • Experience in working with business users and other colleagues to capture, analyse and document information about data (for example, points of creation / update / deletion by business processes, data definitions, data requirements of proposed IT systems)
  • Experience of communicating (including visualising) detailed information to colleagues with differing viewpoints and levels of seniority (including business users, business analysts, data architects, software developers, senior managers)
  • Demonstrable creative and analytical problem-solving skills; able to balance pragmatic and idealistic thinking when designing solutions
  • Evidence of being a completer-finisher who works with accuracy and precision
  • Supportive, collaborative and inclusive work style; able to challenge ideas in a professional and constructive manner in order to achieve a better outcome for the organisation
  • Experience of prioritising, estimating and scheduling workloads and responding to the needs of colleagues who are dependent on your outputs

Desirable selection criteria

  • Experience of using Casewise, or other enterprise modelling toolset (such as Erwin)
  • Knowledge of the data structures and business activities of one or more university administrative functions (such as student records, research management, finance, human resources, alumni, identity)
  • Experience of working in data management areas such as data governance, data quality, business intelligence, data science or data protection
  • Experience of writing database queries to interrogate, analyse and manipulate data

Related links