AMS PSR

On behalf of the Cabinet Office, we are looking for a Data Architect (Inside IR35) for a 3 month contract based hybrid in Newcastle or Glasgow twice per month.

The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and ensures the effective running of government. The Cabinet Office is also the corporate headquarters for the government, in partnership with HM Treasury, and takes the lead in certain critical policy areas. More information about the Cabinet Office can be found on its website at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) is responsible for delivering a compensation scheme that has been long awaited by the infected blood community to provide financial compensation to victims of infected blood on a UK-wide basis. This role will lead our data architecture capability within the architecture function of the Data Operations arm of the IBCA Data Directorate. The Data Operations team is responsible for developing and running safe and secure data solutions that provide a single source of truth for those going through their compensation journey. They are designing and building a new data platform using Amazon Web Services (AWS) and data management and intelligence products using Databricks and Quantexa.

SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

As a Data Architect, your main responsibilities will be:

• Set the strategic direction for the data architecture, owning the blueprint for the data platform, including its core functions: Data Ingestion, Data Integration, Master Data Management (MDM), and Data Transformation.
• Lead and govern cross-system data flow and quality. Champion the architecture for data ingestion and integration from diverse sources, ensuring the continuous consistency, quality, and integrity of data assets across the enterprise.
• Drive enterprise data modelling and standards. Accountable for the design, implementation, and assurance of all logical and physical data models. Define, publish, and enforce organisation-wide data standards and data management policies.
• Own and embed data architecture practice. Ensure optimal team structures are in place. Partner with delivery and service leads to embed and assure data architecture practices consistently across all digital service teams in addition to data, enforcing industry best practices and DDaT standards.
• Drive architectural innovation. Proactively evaluate and integrate emerging data management approaches (e.g., Data Mesh, Data Fabric, etc.) to optimise and evolve the current data platform, ensuring technical solutions maximise business value.
• Cultivate data architecture capability. Design and execute the strategy for growing internal capability, including developing L&D pathways, shaping career progression frameworks, and leading the recruitment of key data talent.

Essential:

• Enterprise Cloud Data Architecture: Accomplished in designing, implementing, and governing end-to-end data architecture patterns at scale within AWS (or equivalent cloud platform). Proven ability to deliver core data management capabilities including Master Data Management (MDM), data integration, and quality assurance.
• Deep Data Engineering and Modelling Expertise: Proficiency in conceptual, logical, and physical data modelling across diverse technologies (e.g., SQL, NoSQL, Data Warehouse, Data Lakehouse). Demonstrable experience leading the design of robust, production-grade data pipelines (ETL/ELT).
• Strategic Data Pattern Leadership: Strong capability in setting the strategic direction for modern data architecture patterns (e.g., Data Mesh, Data Fabric). Proven ability to champion and enforce these standards through formal Technical Design Authority (TDA) and assurance processes.
• Mandatory Governance and Compliance: Deep expertise in establishing and assuring end-to-end data governance and compliance frameworks. Working knowledge of GDPR and security best practices (e.g., Cloud Security Principles, security-by-design) relevant to highly sensitive personal data.
• Process and Practice Ownership: Demonstrable experience in establishing new data architecture practices from the ground up or leading significant, high-impact changes to existing enterprise processes, particularly in contexts involving highly sensitive personal data.
• Technical and People Leadership: Proven track record of leading, mentoring, and developing data architecture professionals. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills with the ability to motivate teams and articulate complex strategies to senior technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Agile Delivery and Practice: Extensive experience of successfully leading and mentoring teams within an Agile and DevOps environment, working collaboratively across multiple multi-disciplinary delivery teams.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, The Cabinet Office guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

The Cabinet Office guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".