Data Architect – Microsoft Fabric / SQL Server

Location: London / Hybrid

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid

Visa Sponsorship: Not available – applicants must have the right to work in the UK

An established UK-based investment and pensions organisation is looking for an experienced Data Architect to join its Data Architecture team.

This is a key role within the organisation's data transformation agenda, providing architectural leadership across a complex data ecosystem supporting pensions, member services, finance and investment management .

You will shape the design and evolution of the organisation's data platforms, establish data architecture standards and ensure solutions are scalable, secure, well governed and aligned with its wider technology, cloud and AI strategy .

This is an excellent opportunity for a Data Architect who enjoys working at the intersection of data architecture, engineering and business , with genuine influence over how data is designed and consumed across a large financial services environment.

1. Define and govern enterprise data architecture standards, principles and patterns.
2. Design scalable and robust data solutions across operational, reporting and analytical environments.
3. Develop business-focused data models that support complex organisational requirements.
4. Provide architectural leadership across data warehousing, integration and ETL/ELT initiatives.
5. Shape the evolution of modern data platforms, with a particular focus on Microsoft Fabric and SQL Server .
6. Establish appropriate data integration and modelling approaches across multiple systems and data sources.
7. Work closely with Data Engineers, Technology teams and business stakeholders to translate requirements into effective architectural solutions.
8. Provide technical guidance and architectural direction to engineering teams.
9. Ensure data solutions are maintainable, secure, scalable and aligned with enterprise standards.
10. Contribute to technology and data strategy, including the organisation's developing AI and data capabilities .
11. Support the full SDLC, from solution design and architecture through to implementation and delivery.
12. Promote best practice across data architecture, governance, modelling and engineering.
13. Stay current with emerging data technologies and identify opportunities to improve the organisation's data capabilities.

We're looking for a Data Architect with strong experience working within complex data environments, ideally within financial services, investment management, pensions or another highly regulated organisation .

You should have:

1. Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft SQL Server (2016+) .
2. Strong experience with Microsoft Fabric .
3. Proven experience designing business-focused data models .
4. Strong understanding of data warehousing, data integration and ETL/ELT .
5. Experience designing and governing scalable enterprise data solutions.
6. Understanding of how data is consumed across operational systems, reporting, analytics and business intelligence.
7. Experience working through structured SDLC and technology delivery processes.
8. Ability to provide architectural guidance and technical leadership to Data Engineers.
9. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
10. A collaborative approach and the ability to work across multiple projects and stakeholder groups.

Experience with:

1. Azure Data Factory
2. Python
3. Wider Microsoft Azure data technologies
4. Modern cloud data platforms
5. Data governance and enterprise architecture
6. AI / machine learning data platforms