Senior Data Architect

Team Overview

Data is central to Ofcom's work. We use data from a wide range of sources to understand the dynamics of the sectors we regulate and to provide key insights to inform policy decisions. In addition to existing regulatory responsibilities, there will be exciting opportunities to contribute to Ofcom's new duties in relation to the regulation of Online Harms. It is expected that this new area of work will expand the scope of data-driven activities at Ofcom in terms of the variety and volume of data, as well as the range of analysis we do. To ensure that Ofcom has the appropriate data capabilities to undertake the analysis effectively, ICT has created a new role for an Data Solutions Architect

Purpose of the Role

The Data Solutions Architect works closely with ICT and the Data Innovation Hub. You will architect, design, implement and oversee the operations of data solutions that empower data professionals to efficiently and effectively deliver their work.

Candidates will exhibit critical thinking skills, the ability to synthesize complex problems, and have relevant skills and experience for enabling the transformation of data to create solutions that add value to a myriad of business requirements. You must have a deep understanding of the full data lifecycle and the role that high-quality data plays across applications, machine learning, business analytics, and reporting.

You will lead the design and development of solution architectures in response to business requirements. This includes identifying and evaluating alternative architectures, their trade-offs in cost, performance and scalability. And ensuring that the relevant technical strategies, policies, standards and practices (including security) are applied correctly. The end to end solution will be fit for purpose - i.e. meet the needs of business, the agreed requirements, and support the strategic direction of Ofcom.

Work with IT teams, business analysts and data analytics teams to understand data consumers' needs and develop solutions

By maintaining your knowledge of emerging trends in data usage, tools and analysis techniques you will support our on-going development activities and continually promote data innovation as a means to achieve the business outcomes for specific Groups, and Ofcom.

You will need to be self-motivated, an effective communicator and have a collaborative delivery approach.You will work in a collaborative cross-functional environment and interact with the full spectrum of colleagues (data engineers, data analysts, data scientists, operational support and policy makers), and you will need to inform and influence senior managers.

Requirements of the Role

• Build strong relationships with colleagues across the business, understanding their motivations behind projects and own technical activities to translate business requirements (both functional and non-functional) into a solution. Ensuring the required business value is delivered.
• Fostering a customer centric approach to ensure delivery of business value and an iterative approach that responds to feedback and changing needs. Perform deep dives into technical areas to solve a specific solution or design challenges. Using trials or POCs to prove or discount an approach, to critic your own design.
• You will be responsible for ensuring that the solutions you help deliver form an integral part of the ICT estate and align with the wider reference architecture and domain roadmaps.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and be flexible, working on many different projects and topics at the same time period. Manage proactive and reactive communication. Facilitate difficult discussions within the team or with diverse senior stakeholders and external / 3rd parties as necessary.
• Provide documentation of solutions detailing the business, data, application and technology layers.
• Work with Data Engineers to define data pipelines and data lakes, covering the ingression, ETL or ELT, and the cataloguing of data.
• Takes overall responsibility for planning effective data storage, cost, security, quality, sharing, availability, retention and publishing within the organisation. Develops analytics policy, standards and guidelines
• Ensuring successful transitions for solutions into production ensuring production support have the necessary knowledge and documentation to support the service.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Robust Data and Technical/Solutions Architecture skills - sets direction for and possesses a deep understanding of architecture and strategies which integrate with industry trends e.g. TOGAF
• Hands-on experience with analytical tools and languages such as: Python, R, SQL, Azure Data Factory (and SSIS), Databricks, Power BI, Git etc.
• Experience of infrastructure: cloud-based technologies used for storage, data lakes, data warehouses, data streaming, Databases, ETL / ELT / Transformation.
• Experience of DevOps/ DataOps methods in development of data solutions to ensure pipelines and processes can be automated and controlled.
• Experience with Cloud based data and analytical initiatives utilising Azure, AWS, Google Cloud or similar cloud services

• Experience of working closely with Data Professionals (E.g. Data Scientists and Data Analysts) to understanding their needs.
• Experience of implementating of statistical, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep learning applications.
• Experience with integrations (e.g. via APIs) with external vendors to share data between organizations
• Experience of working with external technology supplier and service providers to deliver business solutions

SFIA Skill

Enterprise and business architecture STPL - Level 5

Solution architecture ARCH - Level 5

Requirements definition and management REQM- Level 5

Database design DBDS- Level 5

Analytics INAN- Level 4

Emerging Technology Monitoring (EMRG)- Level 4

Relationship Management RLMT- Level 5