About the position
We are seeking an experienced Data Architect to lead the development of an Enterprise Data Strategy and establish a scalable, secure, and governed data architecture capability. The successful candidate will partner with business stakeholders, IT leadership, security teams, architects, and data owners to define a future-state data environment that enables digital transformation, advanced analytics, AI, data science, and business intelligence initiatives.
This role combines strategic data leadership with hands-on architecture, governance, and roadmap development.
Responsibilities
Enterprise Data Strategy
- Develop and define an enterprise-wide data strategy aligned to business objectives.
- Assess current data capabilities, maturity, and opportunities.
- Create a multi-year roadmap for data transformation and modernization.
- Identify and prioritize strategic data initiatives that drive business value.
- Align data strategy with organizational policies, standards, privacy, and compliance requirements.
Data Architecture
- Develop current-state and target-state enterprise data architectures.
- Create conceptual, logical, and high-level physical data models.
- Define enterprise data architecture principles, standards, and best practices.
- Design architecture patterns for data integration, storage, governance, and consumption.
- Assess existing data platforms and recommend future-state technologies.
- Identify opportunities to improve data pipelines, data flows, and information management processes.
Data Governance & Data Management
- Establish enterprise data governance frameworks and operating models.
- Define data ownership, stewardship, and accountability structures.
- Develop recommendations for data quality management and controls.
- Define metadata management and master data management requirements.
- Recommend data classification, retention, security, and access management standards.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, privacy, and information security requirements.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Facilitate workshops and interviews with business and technology stakeholders.
- Collaborate with executive leadership, architects, data owners, and vendor partners.
- Present findings, recommendations, and strategic roadmaps to senior management.
- Build alignment across business units on enterprise data priorities and governance standards.
Key Deliverables
Discovery & Assessment
- Current-State Data Landscape Assessment
- Enterprise Data Source Inventory
- Data Flow and Integration Assessment
- Data Maturity Assessment
- Gap Analysis and Opportunity Assessment
Strategy
- Enterprise Data Strategy
- Data Strategy Roadmap
- Prioritized Data Initiatives
- Data Maturity Development Plan
Governance
- Data Governance Framework
- Data Ownership Model
- Data Stewardship Model
- Data Quality Framework Recommendations
- Data Security and Classification Framework
Architecture
- Current-State Data Architecture
- Target-State Data Architecture
- Data Architecture Principles and Standards
- Technology and Platform Recommendations
- Data Integration Improvement Recommendations
Qualifications
- Matric and a Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related discipline.
- Relevant Architecture certifications advantageous:
- TOGAF
- DAMA CDMP
- Azure Data Certifications
- AWS Data & Analytics Certifications
- Google Cloud Data Certifications
Experience
- Minimum 8-10 years' experience in Data Architecture, Data Management, or Enterprise Architecture roles.
- Proven experience developing Enterprise Data Strategies.
- Strong experience establishing Data Governance frameworks and operating models.
- Experience conducting Data Maturity Assessments and roadmap development.
- Experience designing enterprise-scale data architectures across multiple platforms.
- Experience engaging senior business and executive stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of data security, privacy, compliance, and risk management.
- Experience supporting AI, advanced analytics, business intelligence, data science, and digital transformation initiatives.
Technical Expertise
Strong knowledge of:
- Enterprise Data Architecture
- Data Governance & Data Management
- Data Modeling (Conceptual, Logical, Physical)
- Master Data Management (MDM)
- Metadata Management
- Data Quality Management
- Data Warehousing & Data Lakes
- Data Integration & ETL/ELT Solutions
- Cloud Data Platforms (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud)
- Data Security & Privacy Frameworks
- Business Intelligence & Analytics Platforms
- Data Strategy and Transformation Programs
Key Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Executive Communication
- Stakeholder Management
- Consulting & Advisory Skills
- Problem Solving
- Influencing & Negotiation
- Business Acumen
- Facilitation & Workshop Leadership
- Change Management
- Documentation & Presentation Skills
Desired Skills:
- Enterprise Data Strategy
- Data Architecture
- Data Governance
- Data Management
- Data Integration
Desired Qualification Level:
About The Employer:
