Data Assurance Architect - SFIA 6

Overview
We are seeking a Solutions Architect with deep data architecture expertise (SFIA 6) to provide design assurance on a major data transformation programme for a Public Sector Client. You will assure the data solution design and confirm its alignment to the wider target solution architecture, driving understanding and formal approval across the programme's architecture domains - technology, security, integration, data and business/service. The role is highly collaborative: you will orchestrate alignment across the programme core team, the incumbent shared services provider, the client department and the systems integrator. Success is a design that is understood, approved and demonstrably consistent with the client's enterprise architecture requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Assure the data solution design, testing it against the wider target solution architecture and the client's enterprise architecture principles.
• Drive the design through architecture governance, securing understanding and formal approval from the technology, security, integration, data and business/service domains.
• Orchestrate alignment across key stakeholders, including the programme core team, the incumbent shared services provider, the client department and the systems integrator.
• Constructively challenge supplier designs, identifying gaps, risks and non-compliances before they reach delivery.
• Translate complex architectural positions into clear options and recommendations for senior, non-technical stakeholders.
• Maintain traceability between requirements, design decisions and architectural standards, documenting rationale for audit.
• Represent the data domain at design authority and architecture review boards.

Essential Skills

• Strong commercial experience as a Solutions Architect at SFIA Level 6, with a deep data architecture specialism.
• Proven track record assuring designs produced by third-party suppliers on large, complex programmes.
• Understanding across the full set of architecture domains - technology, security, integration, data and business/service - sufficient to navigate governance in each.
• Experience of enterprise architecture frameworks and formal design governance, such as design authorities and architecture review boards.
• Demonstrable ability to build consensus and secure approval across multiple organisations in a multi-supplier environment.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, with strong written and verbal communication at senior level.
• Previous experience within the UK Public Sector.

Nice To Have

• Experience of ERP or HCM transformation programmes, particularly Oracle Fusion.
• Exposure to shared services operating models.
• TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification.
• Familiarity with secure-by-design principles and Government security standards.
• Prior client-side assurance engagements.