IB Data Architect – Barclays

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

About Chief Data Office (CDAO)

The CDAO holds strategic accountability to foster an understanding of how data can be used to enable business data strategy through clear data platform, architecture, analytics strategy and roadmap. It leads data management and design, drives prioritization and improvements in data quality, and ensures adherence to data, record, NFRR and privacy policies.

Overall Purpose of Role

The role holder is responsible for leading the data architecture, design, tooling pipelines and execution of data‑driven initiatives to support business goals, providing advisory and data delivery to support data architecture, design, and remediation.

Key Accountabilities

• Accountable for all aspects of data design and modelling to ensure value delivery.
• Lead the development and execution of data‑driven transformation to support business goals.
• Define a data architecture vision, objectives, milestones and roadmap aligned to BU objectives and user requirements.
• Provide critical input for determining the design of a data product, including scope, features, architecture, input, and output.
• Ensure the data transformation meets quality standards, including governance, technical standards, and SLAs at inception and ongoing.
• Enable identification, escalation and resolution of risks and issues associated with data products, reporting them through appropriate channels.

Stakeholder Management and Leadership

• Engage and influence representatives across Investment Bank Programs and Functions, assessing data product opportunities for strategic projects.
• Coordinate the Data Architecture Strategy with business, source data owners, development & production teams, CIO, EDP, CDO, COO, leading colleagues toward the intended outcome.
• Lead the data architects to embed a performance culture aligned to business values, training and guiding less experienced specialists.
• Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions outside the own function.
• Manage resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub‑function.
• Foster compliance, ensuring regulations are observed and policies are adhered to.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline and external market developments.
• Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve complex problems.
• Exercise management authority for significant strategic decisions within the area.
• Negotiate with and influence senior stakeholders internally and externally.
• Act as the principal contact point for key stakeholders and counterparts in other functions and businesses.

Person Specification

• Industry experience in Data Engineering, Architecture and Data Solutions; preference for experience in cloud‑based data products.
• Excellent understanding of data concepts and architecture processes to drive scalable data products.
• Effective collaboration with cross‑functional teams to assess data product opportunities.
• Experience shaping scoping and prioritisation discussions, especially in data architecture and solutions.
• Good understanding of Data Analytics, Data Modelling, Policy Assurance, Data Governance, Data Quality and Controls.
• Proven track record of building strong relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Excels at conflict resolution and decision making.
• Leads by example, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• Experience leading and mentoring high‑performing teams across global locations.

Essential Skills / Basic Qualifications

• Strong background in designing and implementing complex, scalable data architecture and data products, preferably in financial services.
• Proven experience in business data solution offerings with familiarity in Big Data and Cloud capabilities.
• User‑centric mindset: understanding how data products solve business problems and drive value.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong leadership skills.
• Problem‑solving skills to offer cross‑functional solutions.

Desirable Skills / Preferred Qualifications

• Techno‑commercial background aligning data initiatives with business goals; domain knowledge in Investment Bank preferred.
• Storytelling with data: effectively communicating data strategies and insights to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business or related fields.
• Experience leading small to medium high‑performing data teams with diverse skills across global locations.

Purpose of the Role

Define, direct, and govern the bank’s target data architecture—including shared data environment, data model and standards—to support business strategy, ensuring data accuracy, security and accessibility for stakeholders.

Accountabilities

• Develop the bank’s data architecture strategy and transition plan.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to promote standardised, consistent, safe, and value‑driven data usage.
• Maintain data architecture governance, standards and protection policies.
• Align projects to the target data architecture, providing guidance and monitoring progress.
• Define reusable data capabilities, assets, tools and technologies to connect disparate sources.
• Custodianship of the overarching data model guiding logical and physical data structure.
• Monitor regulatory standards and industry developments for potential impact on operations.
• Identify and select best‑in‑class data technologies for compliance with SLAs and quality standards.

Director Expectations

• Manage a business function with significant strategic input and policy development.
• Lead large teams or sub‑functions, embedding performance culture aligned to business values.
• Act as deep technical expert and thought leader, influencing cross‑functional collaboration.
• Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees.
• Coordinate resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for the sub‑function.
• Ensure compliance and regulatory adherence, escalating any breaches.
• Influence external environment, regulators, and advocacy groups.
• Demonstrate knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division.
• Maintain up‑to‑date sector knowledge and market insight.
• Use advanced analytical skills to solve complex problems.
• Exercise strategic decision authority within the area.
• Negotiate with senior stakeholders internally and externally.
• Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts.
• Serve as spokesperson for the function and business division.

Leadership Behaviours & Company Values

All Senior Leaders demonstrate behaviours that create an environment for colleagues to thrive: Listen, Energise, Align, and Develop (LEAD). They also demonstrate Barclays Values—Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship—and the Barclays Mindset to Empower, Challenge, and Drive.

Employment Details

Seniority Level: Director
Employment Type: Full‑time
Job Function: Engineering and Information Technology
Industry: Banking and Financial Services

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