Lead Data Architect

ASA Recruitment’s client, a Public Sector organisation in Edinburgh are currently looking to recruit a Lead Data Architect, for an initial 10 month contract (with potential extensions) on a rate £735/day inside of IR35 (based on experience). This is a hybrid role with 2 days onsite per week in Edinburgh City Centre and 3 days remote.

Responsibilities:

• Design, govern and oversee data models and metadata systems, ensuring alignment with business needs
• Provide strategic leadership on data architecture across the programme, supporting the overall architecture lead and data architect vision
• Ensure systems are designed in accordance with agreed data architecture principles and standards
• Champion data architecture practices, standards and ways of working across teams
• Manage data-related risks, resolve complex data issues, and drive continuous improvement
• Ensure effective integration of data across products, services and external partners

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Data Strategy & Architecture: Ability to define and deliver a scalable data architecture strategy aligned to programme objectives and external standards (e.g. ONS).
• Data Modelling & Standards: Strong expertise in developing and governing data models, ensuring consistency and interoperability across systems and other government partners.
• Data Integration & Flow: Experience designing end-to-end data flows, enabling seamless data collection, processing, and dissemination at scale.
• Leadership & Governance: Proven leadership in complex programmes, establishing data governance, quality standards, and effective stakeholder engagement

Desirable Skills:

• Advanced architectures: Data mesh, data fabric, real-time/event-driven systems
• Modern tools: Databricks, Snowflake, Kafka, dbt
• Cloud engineering maturity: CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, DataOps, containers
• AI/ML enablement: Supporting MLOps and advanced analytics platforms
• Analytics expertise: BI tools and semantic data layers
• Certifications & frameworks: TOGAF, DAMA, cloud certifications

ASA Recruitment is one of Scotland’s largest independent multi-sector recruitment agencies. We specialise in providing effective tailored solutions for permanent, contract and temporary employment requirements for our Clients and Candidates. We are members of the REC and are ISO certified.

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