Senior Data Architect

Help shape the future of data at the heart of UK democracy.

As a Senior Data Architect for the Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS), you will lead the design and delivery of data architectures for complex, high-impact digital solutions that support the strategic objectives of the UK Parliament. Working across a diverse portfolio of initiatives, you will shape architectural direction, provide expert technical leadership, and ensure consistency and coherence across programmes and delivery teams.

You will play a key role in guiding architectural decisions, evolving data standards, frameworks and patterns, and driving best practice across the organisation. As a senior leader within the Architecture Community of Practice, you will mentor and support other architects, helping to build capability and foster professional excellence.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will ensure that data architecture solutions meet business needs while remaining secure, scalable, cost-effective and aligned with Parliament's technology strategy and enterprise architecture. Through your leadership, you will help shape the future of Parliament's data landscape and enable the delivery of trusted, data-driven services.

What You Need

If you have experience shaping product or application strategy and roadmaps and contributing to organisation-wide standards and reference architectures, we'd love to hear from you. You'll also bring:

• Demonstrable experience leading challenging data architecture environments, using architectural roadmaps, governance and standards to inform decision-making. Experience coaching data architects and engineers, and providing architectural oversight across agile delivery teams.
• Practitioner-level ability to communicate and negotiate architecture decisions with senior business and technical stakeholders. Ability to translate complex architectural concepts into clear, actionable information for varied audiences.
• Experience developing data designs that consider user needs, security, integrations, operations, and decommissioning. Ability to produce appropriate architectural artefacts and modelling to support shared understanding. Familiarity of using a range of problem-solving options and ability to recommend the appropriate approach to stakeholders.
• Proven ability to support collaborative working in a multi-disciplinary, diverse teams, by pro-actively participating Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, resolving team issues, and providing constructive feedback.
• Experience influencing procurement approaches, shaping technical requirements, and assessing technical proposals from suppliers.
• The ability to pass security clearance, backed by the right to work in the UK

About The Team

The Office of the CTO, led by the Chief Technology Officer, is a pivotal function within PDS and Parliament. It is dedicated to fostering strategic relationships, providing technology leadership, and developing technology and data platforms. Its primary purpose is to drive the development and delivery of technologies and systems that support the strategic goals of Parliament.

The Data Architecture team is part of the Office of the CTO. The team works closely with delivery teams, enterprise architects, and business stakeholders to design and assure solutions that meet Parliament's strategic and operational needs.

About Us

UK Parliament is steeped in history and tradition. It is an important part of UK life, and we need to ensure as many people as possible can engage with its work. This is why we are at the start of a huge transformation programme powered by technology. The Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS) works with the House of Commons and the House of Lords with all their IT and digital needs. We are here to realise the digital ambitions of a modern Parliament and welcome you to join us in building a digital democracy.

Our Package

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including but not limited to:

• generous annual leave starting at 30 days and increasing to 35 days in addition to bank holidays
• generous maternity pay policy up to 6 months full pay
• enrolment in the excellent Civil Service pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%
• on-site gym, nursery, catering, post office, travel office and GP
• flexible options including hybrid working and family friendly policies

How To Apply

Please make sure you're clear on the requirements of the role these can be found in the Job Description. To apply you will need to upload an anonymised copy of your CV demonstrating your experience and provide a written statement (maximum of 500 words) to outline your experience for Criterion 1. The Criterion can be found in the Person Specification on the Job Description.

Our application process is anonymous, Please do not include any personal information on your CV that could identify you. This includes the filename.

Our Culture

For our people, we provide an amazing opportunity to bring their talents to an institution that sits right at the heart of society in the UK. We are helping to change UK Parliament and strengthen democracy. What matters here is your potential for growth and your commitment to playing your part in our ongoing success.

We are passionate about providing an environment which promotes inclusion, diversity and equality. Regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, beliefs or any of the other things that make you, you. We welcome applications from people who feel under-represented in the workforce. This includes those who may feel disadvantaged because of their socioeconomic circumstances.