Architects

Lead data architect

• Grade: G6
• Download: Word document

As a lead data architect, you will be delivering data flows and data models for a wide range of service portfolios, mostly by leading others. You will also drive forward multiple technical standards that set the strategic direction of data strategy of the DfE as a whole, linking across government wherever this is beneficial.

You will be use leadership, management, representational and influencing skills to deliver changes to the data architecture of Services that are critical to delivering education and children social care to the citizens of England.

The role

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining an excellent relationship with Service Owners and Senior Responsible Offciers to understand their needs, looking for strategic issues and taking advantage of opportunities for enterprise-wide transformation
• Set and maintain a robust framework for assuring data modelling delivery against patterns for relational schemas within Services
• Ensuring that common entities and attributes are reused wherever there is a direct conceptual correspondence
• Taking responsibility for the data architecture in a wide range of portfolio of services, including how they interact with up- and downstream data systems, even as these evolve over time
• Support the whole data architecture professional group, respresenting the profession on design forums and other senior management boards
• Hold data architecture professionals to account for delivering work that meets the technical standards
• Design, support and provide guidance for the development of data policies and standards
• Playing a leading role in the DfE Architecture community, ensuring that knowledge of successful tools and techniques is shared and celebrated
• Build a diverse, inclusive culture across the architecture community.

Skills you need

It is essential that you can demonstrate the following experience in your application and at the first stage interview:

• Experience leading technical teams and delivering user-centred services in an agile environment.
• Experience of introducing practices such as data model design.
• Experience working on data orchestation and able to select an appropriate data modelling patterns.
• Experience of creating data flow diagrams using clear notation.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of database technologies, including SQL and NO-SQL platforms.

In addition, the following essential criteria will also need to be demonstrated at the second interview stage:

• The ability to build consensus between diverse and often conflicting interests, working with technical and non-technical stakeholders to achieve agreement on delivery plans.
• The ability to look beyond immediate problems and identify the wider implications.
• Practical knowledge at many levels of the data stack, from querying, down to infrastructure and networking.

It is desirable if you can demonstrate the following:

• Experience using data modelling tools such as Erwin data modeller or equivalent.
• Experience of mentoring and supporting colleagues in multi-disciplinary teams, one-to-one or in groups.
• Ability to work with stakeholders to produce effective platform and workload selection to meet business needs.
• Experience making decisions with a critical impact on organisational effectiveness or the external reputation of the organisation

Please note that desirable criteria will only be considered to make an informed decision in the event of a tie.

Selection process

Application

Candidates should complete the advertised Civil Service Jobs application by submitting a completed application form and CV, explaining how they meet the essential criteria specified under the Selection Criteria heading in the advert.

CV details need to be included in the template within the application form which is accessible through the Civil Service Jobs advert. Emailed CVs will not be considered.

Sift

Applications will be sifted by a panel who will look further at the evidence provided. The CV will be assessed in-line with the essential criteria listed in the advert.

Depending on the number of candidates who meet the minimum pass mark at sift, you may be invited to a first stage interview.

First stage interview

Longlisted candidates may be invited to attend a preliminary interview, which will be conducted via telephone, typically involving a commitment of up to 1 hour. The interview will consist of a series of questions to further assess the essential criteria listed in this advert.

As interviews will be conducted via telephone, please ensure that you are in a suitable location to hear and answer the questions.

If successful, candidates will then be invited to a second interview, which will be conducted via a video call.

Second stage interview

At this interview, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of the essential skills, specified as being assessed at the second stage interview, under the Selection Criteria heading.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.