Lead Data Architect – Grade M1

Scottish Funding Council

. Act as SFC’s authority for Data Architecture, providing specialist expertise, thought leadership and guidance on data design, modelling and architecture standards .

Posted 10/23/2026full-timeEdinburgh • United KingdomSenior💰 £66,924 - £78,930 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Expertise in Data Architecture, including the development and maintenance of enterprise and domain data models, governance processes, and alignment with organizational strategy. Proven ability to communicate complex concepts and influence stakeholders while promoting data architecture maturity and capability.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Data Architecture ExpertiseData ModellingData Governance PracticesMicrosoft Azure ExperienceTechnical Leadership

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Data Architecture DesignConceptual Data ModellingLogical Data ModellingPhysical Data ModellingData Integration PatternsData ManagementMetadata ManagementData LineageMaster Data ManagementData Stewardship

Soft Skills

Influencing DecisionsBuilding ConsensusCommunication SkillsCoachingCollaboration

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft AzureMicrosoft FabricAzure Data FactoryDatabricksPower BI

Certifications & Qualifications

Data Architecture CertificationEnterprise Architecture CertificationData Management CertificationData Engineering CertificationTOGAFDAMA CDMPMS Azure Solutions ArchitectMS Fabric Data Engineer

Industry Keywords

Public SectorComplex Data EnvironmentsOrganizational StrategyData TransformationData Architecture Governance

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AzureCloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Act as SFC’s authority for Data Architecture, providing specialist expertise, thought leadership and guidance on data design, modelling and architecture standards
Define, maintain and evolve SFC’s data architecture in alignment with organisational priorities, data strategy and future business needs
Lead development and maintenance of enterprise, domain, conceptual, logical and physical data models
Establish and maintain data architecture principles, standards, reference architectures and design patterns
Lead data architecture governance and design assurance for significant data initiatives and programmes
Advise senior stakeholders through evidence-based recommendations and explain architectural options, risks and trade-offs
Build consensus across teams and programmes to ensure consistent application of data architecture standards and principles
Define architecture approaches improving interoperability, integration, governance and data reuse across SFC
Identify and manage data architecture risks, technical debt and opportunities
Coach, mentor and support colleagues to promote data architecture capability and maturity
Report to the Head of Data Engineering

Requirements

What you’ll need

Significant experience defining, implementing and evolving data architectures supporting organisational strategy, transformation, and business outcomes
Demonstrable expertise in conceptual, logical and physical data modelling, including enterprise and domain-level data models
Experience establishing architecture principles, standards, governance processes and design assurance
Strong understanding of data management and governance practices, including metadata, lineage, reference data, master data and stewardship
Experience designing data architecture for modern cloud-based data platforms and data integration patterns, preferably with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Fabric
Experience aligning data architecture decisions with organisational strategy and future transformation
Proven ability to influence decisions, build consensus and secure adoption of standards without direct reporting authority
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts, risks, options and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior stakeholders
Ability to provide technical leadership through expertise, coaching and collaboration
Demonstrable ability to analyse complex issues, evaluate options and make evidence-based recommendations amid risk, ambiguity or limited precedent
Desirable experience in education, skills, public sector or other complex data environments
Desirable experience with Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Power BI semantic models or equivalent technologies
Professional qualification or certification in Data Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Data Management or Data Engineering is desirable, including TOGAF, DAMA CDMP, MS Azure Solutions Architect or MS Fabric Data Engineer

Benefits

Comp & perks

Normal full-time hours of work are 35 per week; flexible working arrangements and flexi-time system
Annual leave entitlement of 30 days pro-rata, plus public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro-rata
Flexible hybrid working, including work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time and regular in-person contact with colleagues
Annual pay review under the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy
Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with employer contributions of 28.97%; Partnership pension account option
Support for continuous professional development and access to the Civil Service-Learning curriculum
Generous occupational sick pay
Free confidential advice and support through a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
Special Leave, paid and unpaid
Contribution to learning outside work through the Lifelong Learning Fund
Free winter flu vaccination
Access to occupational health support
Volunteering Days
Salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme, cycle storage and shower facilities
Interest-free loan for bus or rail season tickets
Free office car parking for employees on a first-come basis
Part-time or compressed hours considered
Flexible working scheme to accommodate other commitments such as caring responsibilities
Secondment applications considered for most salaried fixed-term, temporary, and in many cases permanent positions