Data Architect - AR

Job Description: Data Architect

Department

Digital and Data Solutions, Digital and Data Directorate
Lincolnshire Police

Location

Nettleham HQ (Fire and Police Headquarters)

Grade

SG5

Reports To

Head of Information Management Unit (IMU)

Direct Reports

• 2 x Data Engineers
• 2 x BI Developers
• 2 x Dashboard Designers
• 1 x Digital Innovation Manager (line managing 2 additional staff)

Role Purpose

The Data Architect is responsible for defining, developing, and maintaining Lincolnshire Police's enterprise data architecture. The role ensures the organisation can effectively manage, integrate, and exploit its data assets to produce high-quality intelligence, analytics, and insights that support operational policing, strategic decision-making, and partner collaboration.

The postholder plays a critical role in enabling data-driven policing by designing scalable, secure, and efficient data structures and platforms that transform raw data into actionable information.

They will also contribute to regional and national data strategy, representing the Force in external forums and influencing best practice across policing and public sector data architecture.

Data Architecture Strategy

• Develop and maintain the Force's enterprise data architecture strategy aligned with organisational priorities.
• Define data models, standards, and architecture principles across operational and analytical systems.
• Design end-to-end data flows, integration patterns, and storage solutions.

Data Platform Design & Delivery

• Select and govern appropriate data technologies, tools, and platforms.
• Oversee the design and implementation of data warehouses, data lakes, and analytics platforms.
• Lead significant data transformation and migration programmes.

Data Engineering & Analytics Enablement

• Translate operational and analytical requirements into scalable data structures and solutions.
• Enable production of dashboards, reporting tools, predictive analytics, and intelligence products.
• Work closely with analysts, BI developers, and operational stakeholders to ensure data meets business needs.

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to data engineering, BI, and analytics teams.
• Set technical direction, standards, and best practices for data delivery.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and innovation-driven culture.

Data Governance & Compliance

• Define and implement data classification standards aligned with national policing frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, data protection legislation, and internal policies.
• Establish and maintain data access controls and governance frameworks.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and operational departments.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insight for non-technical audiences.
• Support the development of business cases for data-driven initiatives.

Data Quality & Literacy

• Promote data quality standards across the organisation.
• Identify and resolve data issues, driving continuous improvement in data processes.
• Support development of data literacy and a data-driven culture across the Force.

Innovation & Emerging Technologies

• Monitor and evaluate emerging trends in data architecture, analytics, and cloud technologies.
• Introduce innovative tools and approaches to improve efficiency and capability.
• Engage in national and regional policing data communities.

Person Specification Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience as a Data Architect or senior Data Engineer with architecture responsibility.
• Strong experience with cloud data platforms (Azure or AWS).
• Expertise in data modelling, ETL pipelines, and enterprise data integration.
• Experience designing and delivering data warehouses and analytics platforms.
• Strong SQL and data manipulation skills.
• Experience using BI tools such as Power BI or Qlik.
• Ability to lead technical teams and deliver complex data programmes.

Essential Knowledge

• Deep understanding of modern data architecture patterns and technologies.
• Strong knowledge of data governance, security, and GDPR compliance.
• Understanding of data lifecycle management and integration techniques.
• Awareness of public sector or complex regulated environments.

Essential Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership and people management capability.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple complex workloads.

Desirable

• Certification in data architecture or cloud platforms.
• Experience working in policing, government, or other public sector environments.
• Experience contributing to regional or national data initiatives.
• Project and programme management experience.

Other Requirements

• Full UK driving licence.
• Eligibility for security clearance.
• Willingness to attend external training and cross-force meetings.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, safeguarding, and ethical standards.

Role Summary

This is a senior technical leadership role responsible for shaping how Lincolnshire Police uses data at an enterprise level. The postholder will define the architecture, lead technical teams, influence strategic decision-making, and ensure data is effectively used to support policing outcomes and public safety.