Overview
The Data Architect plays a strategic role in shaping Essex County Council's data landscape, ensuring that data assets are structured and optimised to support business goals. They design and implement scalable, secure, and integrated data solutions to support efficient data management, high‑quality reporting and analytics, and digital transformation.
Accountabilities
* Lead the development of enterprise-wide data architecture and processes, networking and communicating with senior stakeholders across the council to embed strategic data application.
* Design and implement data system architectures—including databases, data warehouses and data lakes—to deliver reusable data services and optimise resources.
* Deliver strategic plans that improve data integration, quality and delivery to support business initiatives, and define long‑term strategies and innovation roadmaps for scalable analytics solutions.
* Lead database management systems that align with organisational needs, delivering schemas, optimising storage and robust access controls.
* Design and implement ETL/ELT processes to ingest data from various sources, translating high‑level business requirements into data models and quality standards.
* Define and enforce standards, guidelines and processes to guarantee data quality, consistency and compliance; lead peer reviews and quality assurance of architectural artefacts.
* Manage senior stakeholders to secure engagement and align with strategic roadmaps; collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to understand data consumer needs.
* Maintain Technical Data Standards and Principles, ensuring consistency across technical data initiatives and platforms.
* Establish data access controls and security measures to meet legal, regulatory and organisational policies.
* Advise the Commercial Team to ensure suppliers and procured products comply with Data Architecture principles; develop a data engineer community of practice.
* Provide day‑to‑day technical leadership and task management to data engineers, supporting professional development and high‑performance culture.
* Collaborate with Business Relationship Managers, delivery teams and suppliers to develop business cases for high‑level initiatives, approval, funding and prioritisation.
Experience You Will Bring
* Degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems or equivalent professional experience with advanced knowledge of data architecture, integration and infrastructure design.
* Evidence of ongoing professional development in data architecture, cloud technologies or enterprise data management; membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., BCS, DAMA International) desirable.
* Proven experience designing and implementing enterprise‑level data architectures that support scalable, secure, high‑performing environments.
* Skilled at aligning architecture with business strategy, digital transformation goals and future data needs.
* Deep understanding of data integration techniques, cloud platforms (Azure, AWS), data lakes, warehouses, and real‑time streaming solutions.
* Experience ensuring seamless data flow across systems and platforms.
* Strong knowledge of data governance frameworks, metadata management and data quality principles.
* Demonstrated ability to work with cross‑functional teams (IT, analytics, business units) to translate strategic requirements into technical solutions; skilled at influencing senior stakeholders and leading technical teams.
Employment and Diversity
Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and is committed to interview all disabled applicants, veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role. We seek to provide reasonable adjustments for applicants who need them. We value integrity, ethical behaviour and a respectful workplace for all.
For any queries regarding this role or the application process, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
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