Solution Data Architect

VIQU are partnering with a leading financial services organisation undergoing a significant transformation of its data architecture and technology landscape. They are seeking a Solution Data Architect to deliver robust, scalable data designs across complex business-critical systems and transformation programmes. This is a hands-on, solution-focused role, working closely with Enterprise Data Architects and delivery teams to ensure data models, integrations and transactional data flows align with wider architectural standards. The successful candidate will play a key role in modernising a complex legacy environment whilst supporting the delivery of strategic technology initiatives.

Key Responsibilities of the Solution Data Architect:

• Design and deliver solution-level data architectures across complex transformation projects and enterprise applications
• Develop and maintain conceptual, logical and physical data models, ensuring alignment with enterprise and canonical data standards
• Design transactional data flows, system integrations, data mappings and API-based data exchanges
• Collaborate with Enterprise Data Architects to ensure solution designs align with established architectural principles and governance frameworks
• Support the modernisation and integration of legacy systems, ensuring scalability and minimising technical and data debt
• Act as the primary data architecture contact across assigned projects, working closely with Solution Architects, Engineers, BAs and delivery teams
• Apply data governance, security and data protection by design principles throughout solution development
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders, balancing architectural best practice with practical delivery requirements

Key Experience Required of the Solution Data Architect:

• Proven experience in Solution Data Architecture or hands-on Data Architecture within large, complex enterprise environments
• Strong experience designing data architectures for transactional and operational systems, ideally within insurance or financial services
• Excellent data modelling skills, including relational, normalised and dimensional modelling, with experience using Erwin, ER/Studio or SAP PowerDesigner
• Strong understanding of data integration patterns, system-to-system data flows, APIs, canonical data models and enterprise data architecture principles
• Experience working with complex legacy systems, enterprise applications and large-scale technology transformation programmes
• Insurance domain knowledge, particularly policy administration, underwriting, claims or pricing systems, is highly desirable
• Working knowledge of Azure data technologies and platforms, with exposure to Databricks or Microsoft Purview advantageous
• Strong understanding of data governance, data quality, security and data protection principles
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to challenge constructively and influence technical and senior business stakeholders
• Self-motivated and pragmatic, with the ability to independently manage solution architecture activities across multiple projects