Data Architect with MS Fabric and Azure - 6 month contract - London

Hybrid working: 2-3 days per week in the London office

Our client is seeking an experienced Data Architect with Microsoft Fabric and Azure who can translate their data strategy into practical architecture standards, models, platforms and delivery guidance, balancing near-term delivery needs with a scalable target state across on-premises and cloud environments.

Significant practical experience with Microsoft Fabric and the wider Microsoft Azure data ecosystem is expected, including the ability to shape Fabric architecture, delivery standards and operating practices rather than only provide advisory input.

Roles and Responsibilities

Data architecture and strategy

• Document the current-state data architecture across the estate, including any current data warehouses that need to be retired or replaced.
• Lead the implementation and active promotion of the organization's data technology strategy, aligning stakeholders across the organization.
• Help evolve and deliver the future data technology strategy
• Implement the Master Data Management (MDM) vendor solution currently being selected.
• Define the baseline future-state architecture based on Microsoft Fabric and Medallion architecture.
• Identify and create opportunities to apply AI to improve and drive data architecture firm-wide.
• Identify and drive opportunities to expose and monetise specialist datasets across different industry sectors.
• Define and maintain architecture principles, reference architectures, design patterns and technical standards for data platforms, data products and data integrations.
• Ensure that data architecture can support expected growth in data volume, complexity, usage and analytical workloads while maintaining appropriate performance and cost control.
• Establish a Data Design Authority, leading discussions and driving consensus regarding data-related changes.
• Design and maintain a comprehensive core enterprise data model, proactively educating and engaging stakeholders on its importance and usage.
• Devise and champion data standards, building consensus and securing buy-in from various teams.
• Become a trusted advisor to stakeholders across the organization, providing expert guidance and advocating for the benefits of effective data architecture solutions.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration, fostering strong relationships and active engagement with teams to seamlessly integrate data architecture with business processes and technology initiatives.
• Identify and address any resistance or lack of awareness regarding the data vision and strategy. Develop and deliver compelling presentations and communications to persuade stakeholders of the benefits of the established approach.
• Provide expert guidance and advice on data architecture and solutions architecture to stakeholders across the organization.

Data modelling and platforms

• Establish a Data Design Authority, leading discussions and driving consensus regarding data-related changes.
• Design and maintain a comprehensive core enterprise data model, proactively educating and engaging stakeholders on its importance and usage.
• Devise and champion data standards, building consensus and securing buy-in from various teams.

Stakeholder leadership and adoption

• Become a trusted advisor to stakeholders across the organization, providing expert guidance and advocating for the benefits of effective data architecture solutions.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration, fostering strong relationships and active engagement with teams to seamlessly integrate data architecture with business processes and technology initiatives.
• Identify and address any resistance or lack of awareness regarding the data vision and strategy. Develop and deliver compelling presentations and communications to persuade stakeholders of the benefits of the established approach.
• Provide expert guidance and advice on data architecture and solutions architecture to stakeholders across the organization

Required skills and experience

• 5+ years' current experience as a Data Architect, including working for at least one global firm.
• Experience designing and implementing Medallion architectures using bronze, silver and gold layers.
• Significant hands-on experience designing and delivering Microsoft Fabric solutions, preferably within a Microsoft Azure enterprise environment.
• Practical knowledge of relevant Fabric capabilities, such as OneLake, Lakehouse, Warehouse, Data Factory/Data Pipelines, semantic models and Power BI, with the judgement to select the appropriate pattern for each use case.
• Experience applying Azure architecture principles for identity, access control, security, networking, monitoring, resilience and cost management to data platforms.
• Strong AI awareness and experience applying AI to improve data architecture internally.
• Recent experience implementing MDM solutions.
• Experience with data modelling, data warehousing, data integration and data-quality management.
• Strong understanding of data-governance principles and best practices.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus.
• Deep understanding of data-architecture principles, best practices and technologies.
• Passion for data and a commitment to using data to drive business value.
• Strategic thinking - connects data architecture decisions to business priorities and long-term technology direction.
• Collaboration - builds effective relationships across business, technology, security, privacy and delivery teams.
• Communication with influence - communicates complex architecture topics clearly and secures commitment across stakeholder groups.
• Accountability - takes ownership for architecture outcomes, decisions, risks and follow-through.
• Results oriented - converts strategy and standards into practical improvements and measurable business value.
• Experience with enterprise data platforms, data catalogues, metadata, data lineage and data-quality tooling.
• Experience working with data-product, analytics, AI or semantic-model teams.
• Relevant cloud, data-management, architecture or security certifications.
• Knowledge of Oracle, Snowflake, Databricks technologies