Data Architect - SC Cleared at Layer7, Manchester, 6 Months, £Contract Rate

Seeking an experienced Data Architect to join a high-profile public sector programme. The successful candidate will operate at SFIA Level 5, providing strategic data architecture leadership across complex integrations and Legacy modernisation initiatives.

SC Cleared

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Senior Data Architect in public sector environments (eg DWP, HMRC, NHS).
• Strong understanding of data integration, data modelling, and data governance.
• Demonstrable experience in data mapping across large-scale system landscapes (eg 34+ integrations), working closely with engineering teams to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Proven ability to develop and implement a data migration plan from Legacy systems to new Commercial off-the-Shelf (COTS) platforms.
• Experience designing or advising on data warehousing strategies to support future MI and analytics aggregation between Legacy and modernised environments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to manage and influence diverse stakeholder groups across business and technical domains.
• Familiarity with government digital service standards and DDaT capability frameworks.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and modern data warehousing solutions.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams, including developers, analysts, and policy leads.

Desirable

• Experience in financial services or working with financial data.
• Knowledge of open data standards, API-driven architectures, and semantic data models.
• Familiarity with data ethics, privacy, and security frameworks in government.

Experience

• DWP, central government departments, or financial services is highly desirable.

Location

• Remote with occasional travel to Manchester

Security Clearance > SC

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the enterprise data architecture aligned with organisational strategy and programme outcomes.
• Lead data modelling, data integration, and data governance activities across multiple platforms and services.
• Develop and oversee a data migration and integration plan to transition from Legacy systems to new COTS platforms seamlessly.
• Work with engineers to map and rationalise data across 34 integrations, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Design and support data warehousing solutions to enable future MI and reporting aggregation across old and new environments.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure data solutions meet business and technical requirements, maintaining transparency and strong governance.
• Drive data quality, metadata management, and interoperability across systems.
• Support the development of data standards, policies, and governance frameworks in alignment with government best practices.