Data Architect - Wealth Management / Investment Management / Asset Management / Buy Side

Data Architect - Transformation Team - Wealth Management / Investment Management / Asset Management / Buy Side

About the Role:

We are partnering with a leading financial services organization to find an experienced Data Architect to join their Transformation Team, reporting directly to the Lead Architect. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing an integrated data strategy that enhances the organization's capabilities and drives business value. Your expertise will support data governance, integration, and architecture while ensuring alignment with enterprise data security, quality, and retention strategies. This position is ideal for an ambitious and driven individual eager to contribute to a transformational journey over the next three years.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the data architecture roadmap, aligning with business goals and facilitating the achievement of corporate objectives in partnership with cross-functional teams.
• Create, maintain, and promote the adoption of enterprise architecture artifacts, including conceptual and logical data models, entity relationship models, data dictionaries, and taxonomy.
• Develop a framework of principles, patterns, and standards for data management, integration, and consumption.
• Analyse internal processes within the data domain to implement governance and expedite value delivery to business areas.
• Extract and migrate legacy data streams to modern cloud technologies, enhancing testability, maintenance, and accuracy.
• Build and oversee a developing data analysis capability, including managing data analyst resources.
• Serve as a key member of the Data Strategy Steering Group, driving strategic data initiatives that align with the overall data strategy.
• Collaborate with business, executive, and technical stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of the data strategy.
• Establish a comprehensive Data Catalog and promote best practices in Data Governance and Stewardship.
• Advocate for data security principles and ensure their integration in all data strategies.
• Create meaningful key performance measures to demonstrate data governance, quality, and progress against established roadmaps.
• Stay informed on emerging trends in data tools and analysis techniques, integrating new technologies into existing frameworks as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards and best practices at all times.
• Align actions with FCA's Consumer Duty principles to contribute to fair outcomes for clients.

About You:

Experience:

• Strong understanding of modern data platform concepts such as Data Lake, Lakehouse, and Data Warehouse.
• Proficient in Azure Data technologies, including Synapse, ADLS, Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, and PySpark.
• Expertise in SQL and stored procedures, as well as ETL/ELT processes for designing, building, and testing data pipelines.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Azure integration technologies (Logic Apps, Power Platform) and version control tools (Azure DevOps).
• Knowledge of analytics and MI products, particularly MS Power BI and data cataloging/governance using MS Purview.
• Experience with business intelligence and data warehouse implementations within agile methodologies.
• Understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks and tools, such as TOGAF and LeanIX.
• Experience with data preparation, test data management, and scripting languages like Python.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to analyse data for efficiency and optimization.
• Proven capability to communicate effectively between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and proficiency in data modeling (logical, physical, semantic).
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, producing high-quality results within tight deadlines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications:

• TOGAF or similar certification is preferred.
• Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or equivalent.

Other Relevant Information:

• Experience in wealth management or financial services is advantageous, along with a solid understanding of data security, privacy, and GDPR compliance.