Job Description
Lead Data & AI Architect (Contract) - London / Hybrid
Robert Half International (an S&P 500 global staffing provider) is supporting a client in the search for an experienced Lead Data & AI Architect. This is a highly client-facing role suited to individuals with a strong consulting background who can combine deep technical expertise with stakeholder management, solution architecture and strategic advisory capabilities. As a trusted advisor, you will help organisations shape enterprise data strategies, modernise data platforms and build scalable foundations for AI, analytics and business intelligence initiatives.
Assignment Details:
* Initial 3-month contract with strong likelihood of extension
* ocation: London/Hybrid (1-2 days per week in the City)
* ailyRate: £600p/day via umbrella company
* Fast-track onboarding available
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead data architecture engagements from discovery through to implementation and optimisation
* Design and deliver enterprise-scale data platforms across Microsoft Fabric, Azure, AWS, Databricks and Snowflake
* Define data architecture roadmaps aligned to business and AI strategies
* Drive data modelling, governance, integration and interoperability standards
* Architect solutions supporting analytics, machine learning and AI use cases
* Provide technical leadership across data engineering, analytics and AI delivery teams
* Establish best practice around security, privacy, compliance, metadata and data quality
* Act as a trusted advisor to senior business and technology stakeholders
* Support client workshops, solution development and strategic architecture assessments
Required Experience:
* Previous consulting experience within a recognised consulting organisation
* Extensive experience leading enterprise data architecture initiatives
* Strong client-facing stakeholder management and advisory skills
* Experience delivering cloud-based data platforms within complex environments
* Experience operating across multiple workstreams and senior stakeholders
* Ability to bridge business strategy and technical delivery
Nice to Have:
* Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert* AWS Solutions Architect Professional* Databricks Certifications* CDMP Certification* Terraform, Bicep or Infrastructure-as-Code experience* dbt, Airflow or modern orchestration frameworks* Experience supporting AI, GenAI or RAG-based architectures* Experience within Financial Services, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Energy, Retail or Manufacturing
Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: