Join to apply for the Senior Data Architect - 6449 role at Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Overview

As a Senior Data Architect, you will play a pivotal role in delivering a coherent and scalable data framework aligned with our enterprise data strategy. You'll advance key architectural principles such as data mesh, data products, and data contracts, while enabling the strategic use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI) across the organisation. You will promote the data strategy, secure stakeholder buy-in, and define clear roadmaps for implementation. Your work will underpin and enable broader organisational strategies and operating models, including AI-driven innovation. You will design and maintain enterprise and information architectures that are robust, future-ready, and capable of supporting current and emerging business needs—empowering data-informed and AI-enhanced decision making across Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

Responsibilities

• Effectively communicating the enterprise data strategy and operating model to executive leadership, platform teams, business units, technology teams, and external partners.
• Defining and managing strategic data and information architecture roadmaps that support the business vision and enable AI and GenAI capabilities.
• Designing and delivering end-to-end enterprise and information architectures that provide transparency and coherence across the organisation.
• Supporting the growth of architectural capability by mentoring and coaching Data Architects, Junior Architects, and Analysts.
• Providing thought leadership and strategic direction in data architecture, shaping standards, patterns, policies, and vision statements.
• Advancing data capabilities such as analytics and AI/GenAI enablement to unlock insights and support informed decision-making.
• Championing innovation by recognising how evolving data technologies can be harnessed to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and strategic agility.

About You

You are an experienced data architect or data engineer (5+ years or demonstrated experience) with a strong understanding of business and information architecture. You have a proven track record in defining and delivering data strategies, operating models, and scalable architectures, ideally in complex or regulated environments.

• Deep knowledge of enterprise and information architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman).
• Experience with data mesh, data products, data contracts, and data governance.
• Strong understanding of cloud-native data platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP), data lakehouse, data warehouse, and data virtualization concepts.
• Mastery of data modelling (conceptual, logical, physical), integration patterns (APIs, event-driven, streaming), and data pipeline orchestration.
• Experience enabling AI/GenAI capabilities and understanding of ethical and responsible AI considerations.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills across technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience coaching and mentoring junior colleagues and leading in matrix environments.
• Awareness of regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR).

You are entrepreneurial, curious, and outcomes-driven, with a collaborative and inclusive approach. You thrive in a fast-changing environment and are passionate about leveraging data and AI to drive business value.

Rewards And Benefits

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Group personal pension scheme
• Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
• Green travel schemes

Position Details

Job Title: Senior Data Architect
Salary: £70,400 - £94,100
Location: Cambridge/Hybrid with office attendance for an average of 2 days a week
Contract: Permanent

Application and Process

Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now. We review applications on an ongoing basis, with a closing date for all applications being 15th October. Interviews are scheduled to take place shortly after it closes.

• First stage - Introductory call about your relevant skills
• Second stage - Technical assessment session
• Third stage - In-person interview with a presentation, assessing fit for the position and organisation

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.

Why join us

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it’s safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics. We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach.

We are a hybrid working organisation and offer a range of flexible working options from day one. We expect most hybrid-working colleagues to spend 40-60% of their time at their dedicated office or location. We will also consider other work arrangements if you wish to work more flexibly or require adjustments due to a disability.