Data Architect

Salary: £65,000 to £71,957 – (dependent on experience)

Contract Type: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Security Level: SC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

Closing Date: Sunday 1st November 2026

Interview Date: w/c 9th November 2026

The Role

Working closely with the Head of Information and Data Management, the Data Architect will lead the design and delivery of data management projects necessary to store, move, manage and utilise data across the CAA.

The Data Architect will ensure that data is structured, governed, and integrated to support current project objectives, including:

• Service transformation
• Digital enablement
• Customer journey optimisation
• Data-driven decision-making

We are currently recruiting for two contract roles within two internal programmes of work, these include:

Finance Transformation Programme

The Finance Transformation Programme is a major enterprise wide transformation initiative designed to create trusted organisational data, integrated business processes, enhanced strategic intelligence and improved decision making across the Civil Aviation Authority. The programme focuses on establishing the foundations required for better planning, forecasting, reporting, automation, customer insight and future AI adoption in aid of enabling the use of trusted data with integrated systems to improve organisational effectiveness.

Future of Flight (FoF) Programme

The Future of Flight (FoF) Programme is one of the Civil Aviation Authority's strategic transformation initiatives, supporting the safe integration of emerging aviation technologies into UK airspace. As the programme progresses, there is an increasing need for robust information architecture, trusted data foundations and scalable technology solutions to support regulatory decision-making, operational oversight and future service delivery.

Core Accountabilities

• Develop and implement a data architecture strategy aligned to the CAA Data Strategy.
• Ensure data is accessible, secure, and optimised for surveillance and modernisation use cases.
• Act as the Data Architect for CAA projects, providing technical leadership across projects and managing data specialists and contract resources to deliver programme outcomes.
• Work flexibly across a portfolio of programmes, projects and change initiatives, providing hands on data architecture leadership, solution design and data modelling expertise to support strategic business outcomes.
• Oversight of data activities to ensure compliance to the architectural standards and guidelines defined. e.g. the development of processes to monitor adherence to standards and guidelines and the resolution of non-adherence.
• Establish and track metrics to measure the effectiveness of data architecture initiatives, with regular reporting across all levels of the organisation.
• Champion a Master Data Management approach, collaborating with other architects to implement consistent data standards across projects.
• Developing and iterating conceptual and logical data models, using data modelling tools such as ER/Studio to design and document data structures.
• Serve as the technical design authority for data within projects, ensuring coherence, scalability, and alignment with enterprise architecture principles.
• Collaborate with Solution Architects and Data Engineers to ensure cohesive, scalable, secure data solutions.
• Collaborate with the Data Governance team to ensure architectural solutions align with data quality, security, and compliance standards, supporting the implementation of enterprise-wide data policies and stewardship frameworks.

About You

To be considered for the role you must:

• Have a broad understanding of all architectural disciplines, with the ability to integrate data architecture within wider enterprise architecture frameworks.
• Have strong expertise in data management practices.
• Demonstrate experience in delivering data migration projects, including handling common challenges such as data quality issues, system differences, and performance constraints
• A proven ability to collaborate and influence stakeholders at all levels across the organisation.
• Be proficient in conceptual, logical, and physical data modelling techniques, in particular relational data modelling.
• Have a deep knowledge of Master Data Management and Reference Data Management principles and practices.
• Have awareness of emerging technologies and trends in the data management field, with the ability to assess their relevance and applicability.
• Demonstrate experience in delivering data architecture solutions within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Show understanding of development approaches, including Waterfall and Agile.
• Have excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and accessible manner.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are i