Senior Data Architect

Location: Johannesburg Gauteng (Preferred)
Contract Type: Initial 12-Month Contract (with a strong possibility of extension based on project delivery and performance)
Start Date: As soon as possible

Are you an experienced Senior Data Architect with a passion for designing enterprise-scale data platforms and driving cloud-based data transformation initiatives

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Data Architect to lead the design governance and implementation of enterprise-scale data architecture initiatives.

This role will play a strategic role in defining data architecture standards designing scalable cloud-based data platforms and enabling business value through effective data management and analytics capabilities.

The successful candidate will possess deep expertise in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and a strong background in modern data architectures data integration governance and analytics solutions. Exposure to AWS will be advantageous.

• Define and maintain the enterprise data architecture strategy standards and best practices.
• Design scalable secure and high-performing data architectures aligned to business and technology objectives.
• Lead the architecture and implementation of cloud-based data platforms primarily within Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Collaborate with business stakeholders product owners data engineers analysts and solution architects to understand requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Develop data models data flow diagrams integration frameworks and architecture blueprints.
• Establish and enforce data governance data quality metadata management and master data management standards.
• Guide the design and implementation of data lakes data warehouses lakehouse architectures and real-time data processing solutions.
• Ensure compliance with security privacy regulatory and risk management requirements.
• Provide architectural leadership across data-focused projects and programmes.
• Conduct architecture reviews and recommend technology improvements and optimisation opportunities.
• Mentor and support data engineering and analytics teams on architecture best practices.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovative solutions that support organisational objectives.

• Bachelors Degree in Computer Science Information Systems Data Science Engineering or a related field.
• Relevant cloud certifications preferred including:
  • Google Professional Data Engineer.
  • Google Professional Cloud Architect.
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Advantageous).

• 8 years of experience in Data Architecture Data Engineering or related data-focused roles.
• Proven experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale data solutions.
• Strong hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and architecture.
• Extensive experience handling analysing interpreting and managing data within large-scale data projects.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Data Warehousing.
  • Data Lakes.
  • Lakehouse Architecture.
  • ETL/ELT Frameworks.
  • Data Modelling (Conceptual Logical and Physical).
  • Data Governance.
  • Data Quality Management.
  • Metadata Management.
  • Master Data Management (MDM).
• Experience integrating data from multiple source systems and platforms.
• Strong knowledge of SQL and modern data processing technologies.
• Experience working with structured semi-structured and unstructured data.
• Ability to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical problem-solving and communication skills.

Experience with several of the following:

• BigQuery.
• Cloud Storage.
• Dataflow.
• Dataproc.
• Pub/Sub.
• Cloud Composer.
• Looker.
• Cloud Functions.
• IAM and Security Frameworks.

• AWS architecture and data platform experience.
• Experience with multi-cloud environments.
• Exposure to AI/ML-enabled data platforms.
• Financial services telecommunications retail or large enterprise experience.
• Relevant cloud certifications.

• Strategic Thinking
• Stakeholder Management
• Solution Design
• Data Governance Leadership
• Technical Architecture Expertise
• Problem Solving
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Leadership & Mentoring
• Business Acumen
• Continuous Improvement Mindset

• Initial 12-month contract with a strong possibility of extension based on project delivery and performance.
• Hybrid work model (subject to client requirements).
• Opportunity to lead enterprise-wide cloud and data transformation initiatives.
• Work with modern cloud-native data technologies within Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Collaborate with high-performing architecture engineering and analytics teams.
• Immediate start available.

If you are an experienced Senior Data Architect with a passion for enterprise data architecture cloud technologies and delivering scalable data solutions wed love to hear from you.