Data Architect

Arriva is a leading European passenger transport partner, operating in 11 countries across the UK and Europe. The company employs around 35,000 people, delivering more than 1.5 billion passenger journeys connecting people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably. We have strong roots dating back to 1938, an ambitious growth and sustainability agenda, and a continuously developing relationship with I Squared Capital - a global infrastructure investment fund manager - who acquired Arriva in 2024.We are looking for Data Architect to join our BI Product Team on a full-time, permanent basis. We offer hybrid working. This role can be based in either our London or Sunderland office, with a minimum of three days per week on-site. The remaining time can be spent working wherever you can best deliver for your customers, while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance.The Data Architect is responsible for defining and maintaining the overall data architecture strategy that enables Arriva's BI and self-serve analytics capabilities. This role establishes the technical vision, standards and frameworks that enable scalable, efficient, and secure data solutions across the organisation. Working close with the Lead BI Engineers, BI engineers, Lead BI Developer, BI Developers the Data Architect ensure that data models, pipelines and storage solutions are designed to support current and future business needs and growth. They will act as a technical authority and strategic advisor, balancing architectural excellence alongside timely delivery, and play a critical role in evaluating new technologies. Ensuring that Arriva's data infrastructure remains modern, performant and competitive with industry best practice.Direct ResponsibilitiesArchitecture Design & StrategyAssess existing data architectures, documenting current-state models, pipelines, technologies, standards, and approachesDefine and maintain the enterprise data architecture vision and roadmap, ensuring alignment with business objectives and BI product strategyDesign logical and physical data models that support efficient reporting, analytics, and self-service BI capabilitiesEstablish architectural patterns and frameworks (e.g. medallion architecture, data vault, dimensional modelling) for consistent implementation across data solutionsEvaluate and recommend architectural approaches for data storage, processing, and consumption, including lakehouse, data warehousing, and data lake patternsDesign technical architecture for cloud-based data platforms (AWS preferred: Redshift, Athena, S3, Glue)Create and maintain architecture documentation, including data flow diagrams, architecture decision records, and design patternsTechnology Leadership & InnovationResearch, evaluate, and recommend new technologies and tools that enhance Arriva's data and BI capabilitiesStay current with emerging trends including open table formats (Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake), data observability, real-time/streaming architectures, and cloud-native solutionsConduct proofs-of-concept and technical assessments to validate new technologies before adoptionMonitor industry best practices and ensure Arriva's architecture remains competitive and future-proofData Modelling & StandardsDefine and document standard business entities, metrics, and KPIs to ensure consistency across reportingReview and approve complex data models designed by BI Engineers, ensuring alignment with architectural standardsDesign and implement data governance framework, ensuring clear accountability of data products within the platformCollaboration & LeadershipWork with Group BI & Data Director to define strategy and frameworksProvide technical guidance and mentorship to BI Engineers and Lead BI Engineer on architectural decisions and complex data challengesCollaborate with BI Developers to understand frontend requirements and ensure data architecture supports optimal dashboard performancePartner with BI Product Manager to translate business strategy into technical architecture requirementsFacilitate architecture discussions and workshops with technical and non-technical stakeholdersEstablish documentation standards and frameworks in collaboration with Lead BI Engineer and Lead BI Developer, ensuring practical adoption and accessibility for both technical teams and business stakeholdersKnowledge, Skills and Experience:Essential ExperienceExtensive experience in data architecture with proven track record of designing and implementing enterprise-scale data solutionsDeep expertise in data modelling techniques with strong SQL proficiencyComprehensive knowledge of cloud data platforms (AWS preferred: Redshift, Athena, S3, Glue; Azure or GCP beneficial)Strong understanding of modern data engineering patterns including ETL/ELT, data lake architectures, and lakehouse approachesUnderstanding of emerging technologies such as open table formats (Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake), data observability tools, and real-time/streaming architecturesExperience with data governance frameworks, data quality tools, metadata management, and ensuring compliance with security and regulatory requirementsPersonal AttributesStrong business acumen with ability to translate business requirements into technical architecture and understand how data enables business outcomesContinuous learning mindset with curiosity about new technologiesPragmatic approach that balances architectural excellence with practical delivery constraints and timely deliveryThe closing date for applications is Sunday 24th May 2026. Arriva Group reserves the right to close this vacancy early.