Data Architect Lead

The Data Architect Lead will play a pivotal role in shaping Emerald’s data strategy, providing strategic oversight for the design, development, and implementation of our data architecture. This role ensures high-quality data is available to support business needs, particularly as we undergo a comprehensive transformation of our enterprise systems and continue to grow through mergers and acquisitions.

The position requires balancing immediate operational demands with a forward-looking perspective - helping to define the future state of our data landscape. A key focus will be identifying and driving significant improvements in business performance through enhanced data practices, including Data Governance, Data Quality, and Master Data Management, all of which are critical to enabling strategic initiatives.

You will be responsible for documenting and designing data flows across the organization, aligning them with value streams and business ownership, and ensuring consistency with broader business architecture and Emerald’s architectural principles. Close collaboration with senior business stakeholders will be essential to uncover opportunities where data can drive transformation, and to prioritize these initiatives based on business value and feasibility.

We look to the Data Architect Lead to provide both strategic and technical leadership across the data architecture team - serving as a mentor to data professionals and a trusted advisor to the wider business.

Location: We perform at our best when we feel trusted and are able to choose an approach to working that suits us best, which is why we are a remote-first company. However, we also believe in face to face collaboration, and our UK colleagues meet once a month for team time and quarterly for company get togethers in our Leeds office, so we ask that you be within a commutable distance that you are comfortable with in order to attend the office on those occasions.

About our Recruitment Process: We welcome applications from all individuals, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, or belief. As we understand the value of the transferability of skills and experiences, we are not looking for the 'perfect candidate' – we encourage everyone who is truly excited about our mission to apply.

We receive a high volume of interest in our roles and may close applications early if we reach capacity. We strongly recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you require additional time to complete your application due to accessibility needs or other circumstances, please don’t hesitate to contact us - we’re happy to support you.

Day to day you'll be responsible for:

• Data Strategy – Contribute to the development and execution of Emerald’s data strategy, ensuring alignment with overarching business objectives.
• Data Architecture Design – Design scalable and resilient data architecture frameworks that support data storage, integration, and processing across the enterprise.
• Data Solution Design – Translate business requirements into robust, efficient, and scalable technical data solutions.
• Data Governance – Define and enforce data governance policies and standards to ensure data accuracy, consistency, security, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Technical Data Leadership – Provide expert guidance and leadership to data architects, the wider data team, and the business, promoting adherence to data architecture principles and best practices.
• Stakeholder Management – Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into technical data architecture requirements; manage relationships with external partners and contractors to ensure alignment and delivery.

You’ll need to have:   

Skills

• Data Platform Expertise: Proven experience with Azure-based data platforms and tools, including Synapse, Fabric, Azure Data Factory, and Microsoft SQL Server.
• Leadership & Strategy: Senior-level experience in data management, including defining data strategies, roadmaps, and operating models. Skilled in leading enterprise-scale data integration and transformation initiatives.
• Data Governance & Quality: Strong background in establishing data governance frameworks, ownership models, and data quality management practices, including metric definition and reporting.
• Project & Programme Management: Demonstrated ability to manage complex data projects and programmes, from vision through to delivery.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Adept at working across diverse stakeholder groups to define and embed data standards, processes, and policies.
• Business Transformation: Track record of identifying and delivering data-driven improvements across business functions such as insight, efficiency, marketing, product development, customer support, sales, and supply chain.

Knowledge

• Certifications & Frameworks: DAMA qualified (or working towards); familiar with data quality and governance frameworks.
• Data Modelling & Architecture: Proficient in data modelling methodologies and tools, with experience in document, relational, semantic, and graph models; skilled in data flow diagramming.
• Programming & Query Languages: Working knowledge of Python, PySpark, SQL, XML, and XPath.
• Data Science & BI Tools: Experience with Azure-based data science tools, as well as business intelligence and data visualisation platforms.
• Agile Methodologies: Comfortable working in Agile environments, including Scrum and Kanban.

What’s in it for you?

At Emerald, we value our people. Becoming a part of our team means you’ll join a trusting and flexible environment and we've been flexified so you can trust that we're a truly flexible workplace. All we ask is that you attend the office once a month to come together with work colleagues. You'll also have numerous opportunities to progress your career, as well as access to professional development and the opportunity to learn new skills.

You’ll receive a wide range of benefits, such as 38 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays, remote flexible working, a discretionary performance bonus, 6% pension contribution and various benefits aimed at supporting your wellbeing and work-life balance such as a working from home allowance. You can check out a full list of our benefits here.

Roles are advertised at a benchmarked market median rate. Offers will be made within a range of the median, depending on skills and experience.

Please note - Applicants must be authorized to work in the UK without restrictions or sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Emerald Group is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our applicants. If you would like to request any accommodations/adjustments from application through to interview stages, please complete the relevant section within the application or contact us at peopleteam@emerald.com and let us know.