Enterprise Data Architect (SC Essential) at IO Associates, Multiple Locations, £700-£750 per day

Location: London / Hybrid
Security Clearance: SC or DV (mandatory)
Employment Type: Contract
Duration: 6 Months
Rate: Competitive (Outside IR35)

We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Data Architect with active UK Security Clearance (SC or DV) to lead the design and evolution of large scale, secure data architectures within a complex enterprise environment. This role is critical to shaping long term data strategy, ensuring secure data integration, and enabling analytics and operational insight across mission critical systems.

• Define and own enterprise wide data architecture aligned to business and security requirements
• Design scalable, resilient data platforms supporting analytics, operational reporting, and data sharing
• Establish data standards, reference architectures, and best practices
• Work closely with security, solution architects, and engineering teams to ensure secure-by-design data solutions
• Lead architecture for cloud, hybrid, and on prem data environments
• Guide data modelling (conceptual, logical, physical) across complex domains
• Ensure compliance with government security frameworks, data governance, and regulatory standards
• Act as a senior technical authority, providing architectural assurance and mentoring

• Proven experience as an Enterprise or Lead Data Architect in large organisations
• Strong background in data architecture, data modelling, and integration patterns
• Experience with cloud data platforms (e.g. Azure, AWS, GCP)
• In depth knowledge of data warehouses, data lakes, and modern analytics architectures
• Strong understanding of data governance, lineage, quality, and master data management
• Experience working in highly regulated or secure environments
• Ability to translate complex requirements into clear architectural designs

• Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, or similar enterprise analytics platforms
• Knowledge of streaming, event?driven, or real time data architectures
• Exposure to TOGAF or other architecture frameworks
• Previous work in defence, national security, or central government environments

• Active UK Security Clearance (SC or DV) is essential
• Must be eligible and willing to work on secure sites when required

• Competitive salary or contract rate
• Opportunity to influence enterprise scale, high impact programmes
• Work on cutting edge, secure data platforms
• Collaborative environment with senior technical stakeholders
• Clear scope for professional growth and technical leadership