Data Architect (Lead) – Strategic Guidance & Governance

Project information: • Industry: banking • Location 1-2 days per month at the office, the rest remotely • Rate: We’re open to your suggestions • Contract: B2B • Length: long-term We’re looking for a senior Data Architect to provide strategic direction and best-practice guidance for data architecture across the organization. You will support and mentor a team of Data Architects and collaborate closely with Product Owners, Solution Architects, and Data Engineers to translate business needs into scalable, secure, and high-performing data solutions. Main Responsibilities: • Define and communicate the data architecture vision (governance, integration, modelling, data management). • Guide and support Data Architects in designing and implementing solutions aligned with business and technology strategy. • Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to capture requirements and drive architecture decisions for data products and platforms. • Establish and enforce data governance frameworks, data quality standards, and data protection measures to ensure integrity and security. • Drive adoption of data standards, best practices, and consistent delivery processes across teams. • Mentor the team and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. • Stay current with emerging data technologies and recommend tools/methodologies to strengthen architecture capabilities. Key Requirements: • Leadership: Strong leadership skills to effectively support and inspire a team of Data Architects. • Data Architecture Expertise: Deep understanding of data architecture principles, data modelling, data integration, and data management. • Communication with Impact: Strong communication skills to convey complex data architecture concepts effectively to technical and non-technical stakeholders. • Consulting: Established consulting skills to provide valuable insights and guidance to cross-functional teams. • Relationship/Stakeholder Management: Expertise in managing relationships and stakeholders at various levels. • Problem Solving: Advanced problem-solving skills to analyse complex data challenges and develop innovative solutions. • Data Governance: Strong understanding of data governance principles and frameworks.