Data Architect

The Data Architect role sits in the Data Authority team within Architecture and Software Solutions. The Architecture and Software Solutions Function is part of the Software Engineering and Complex Services Department, which sits within the Technology Business Unit. The role reports to the Data Authority Manager dealing directly with the business to provide data centric solutions and data expertise support for business problems ranging from customer base acquisition, support to analytics, management and compliance reporting, and best practice guidance, the team is an agile working environment, key to the success of PXC.

This role can be based in Manchester or London and requires coming into the office twice a week

About the team

The Data Architect role sits in the Data Authority team within  Architecture and Software Solutions. The Architecture and Software Solutions Function is part of the Software Engineering and Complex Services Department, which sits within the Technology Business Unit. The role reports to the Data Authority Manager dealing directly with the business to provide data centric solutions and data expertise support for business problems ranging from customer base acquisition, support to analytics, management and compliance reporting, and best practice guidance, the team is an agile working environment, key to the success of PXC.

About your Role

The Data Architect is responsible driving the alignment of solution designs to good data management practices, and thereby positive insight and reporting outcomes. Working with the sponsorship of Enterprise Architecture and with project architects, the data architect will, through the Data Design Authority, govern the formulation of solution designs at high level and in detail to ensure data architecture and data management principles are applied consistently to the applications estate. Acting as a subject matter expert in the Data Authority team for data modelling, data design and structure, the Data Architect will guide on solution design to ensure solution development is in line with data architecture blueprints, the PXC enterprise logical data model and data governance and quality standards. The Data Architect is also responsible for the development and ongoing enhancement to the PXC Enterprise Logical Data Model (ELDM).

Key Responsibilities in Your Role

As the Data Authority Data Architect, you will be accountable for working with Enterprise Architecture, and with Lead Project Architects, Tech Leads and their teams in Architecture and Software Solutions and other Software Engineering towers to ensure that solution designs take appropriate consideration of PXC’s data strategy objectives, maximise the availability of data for exploitation, simplify the data landscape, and conform to data standards and good practices.

In this role you will have a singular accountability for the development and ongoing enhancement of the PXC Enterprise Logical Data Model (ELDM), and will engage architects, designers, technical staff and business stakeholders to provide training in the use of the model and to promote its benefits. As part of the Data Authority, you will review solution data model designs and provide recommendations and guidance on alignment of designs to the ELDM.
 

Leadership & Management

• Participate in Project Architecture governance processes working with other Project Architects, Solution Designers and Tech Leads

• Continuously promote, improve the overall performance and reach of the Data Authority through measurable metrics such as ELDM adherence

• Build productive and positive relationships with all stakeholders, including peer managers and SMEs within and outside of the team

• Contribute to the development of guidelines for data architecture and data solution design, and help projects deliver within those guidelines
   

Core Architecture Work

• Contribute to and review solution architecture and designs by other towers / Architecture and Software Solutions teams to ensure they are complete, cohesive and fit for purpose, and that data design conforms to the ELDM

• Alongside other Solution Architects, plan for solution data architecture within projects

• Identify innovative data approaches to solve complex business/operational problems and new products/services.  Facilitate and lead design workshops with subject matter experts, delivery leads, domain architects and other required parties

• Contribute to the maintenance of data standards (with the Data Governance Team): Glossary, Data catalogue, Enterprise Data Model, Common Data Services design definition e.g. view of service, view of customer, view of location/address, Fit for purpose data quality KPIs

• Develop and continuously improve the Enterprise Logical Data Model structure, scope, detail, and supporting documentation, demonstrating the alignment of the ELDM to industry best practice (TMForum SIDD)

• Provide training, walkthroughs and hands on support to projects in their adoption of and application of the ELDM to their solution designs

• Exercise decision rights along with Lead Project Architects and the Data Authority Manager on solution design through the SRB (Solution Review Board) processes

Success Criteria

Essential Technical Skills:

• Awareness and understanding of Master Data Management

• In depth understanding of data management and storage systems (database, data container, data lake, data warehouse), with a focus on Microsoft Azure/Snowflake

• Ability to design and enforce data infrastructure policies, procedures and processes

• Design and support the management of data dictionaries, both at a Project and Enterprise level

• Ability to design and produce data models

• Application of a logical model construct to physical table designs for solutions

• Awareness of data security and compliance procedures, including external regulations

• Experience in data analysis tools and techniques

• Knowledge of cloud computing technologies
   

Soft skills:

• Stakeholder management skills, covering a range of aspects including Enterprise Architecture, Senior/Exec Level, Project and Solution Architects and wider Data Consumers across the business

• Strong Communication and Presentation Skills

• Effective problem solving and critical thinking skills

• Continual Learning mentality to keep up to data on emerging technologies, with the ability to identify key moments to adopt

• Provide thought leadership to the wider community of data consumers to facilitate the adoption of best practice
   

Desirable Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of non-Azure Data Warehousing, specifically Netezza

How we look after our employees

Here are just some of the ways we recognise and reward our colleagues:

• Our brand new “PXC Flex” benefit has launched in January 2025, which includes Flex30, an additional 30 hours* of leave every year for you to use how you wish

• True flexible working and hybrid working options available for staff

• Fantastic, accessible and collaborative office spaces for those days in the office

• 25 days holiday plus your birthday off (you also get the option to buy up to 10 extra days holiday per year your holiday allowance goes up with tenure)

• Free private healthcare for all employees, competitive pension scheme and the opportunity to earn bonus

• Free broadband for all employees plus gifts for major life events such as marriages and birth

• Flexible salary sacrifice scheme including dental, gym, electric car scheme and much more, plus a huge range of shopping and leisure discounts so you can save even more cash

• A range of inclusive employee networks to help integrate employees into life at PXC

(* Days and hours are based on a full-time employee’s working pattern and leave is pro-rated for part-time employee)

At PXC, we know that diversity means success and innovation. We want our workplace to reflect the communities and customer we serve. Being inclusive is part of our DNA; we are all 100% human, and we create a culture where you can truly be yourself.

We’re also not your usual 9-5. We are a dynamic workplace and we want to talk to you about how you like to work.

At PXC, we know that diversity means success and innovation. We want our workplace to reflect the communities and customer we serve. Being inclusive is part of our DNA; we are all 100% human, and we create a culture where you can truly be yourself.

We’re also not your usual 9-5. We are a dynamic workplace and we want to talk to you about how you like to work.

At PXC, we know that diversity means success and innovation. We want our workplace to reflect the communities and customer we serve. Being inclusive is part of our DNA; we are all 100% human, and we create a culture where you can truly be yourself.

We’re also not your usual 9-5. We are a dynamic workplace and we want to talk to you about how you like to work.