Senior Data Architect (GCP) at Montash, Remote, 3 Months, £550-£650 per day

Job Title: Senior/Lead Google Cloud Data Architect

Location: UK, remote-first with occasional on-site attendance

Contract Type: Contract, approx. 3 days per week

IR35: Outside IR35

Duration: 3-4 Months

Start Date: ASAP

Interview Process: 2 Stage

The Opportunity

A fast-growing digital business is seeking a Senior/Lead Google Cloud Data Architect for an audit-led interim engagement. You will assess the current data and AI platform, give senior leadership an honest view of where it stands, and hand your findings over to a leader who joins after you. This is a short-term, high-visibility role with a clear scope.

Key Responsibilities

Phase 1: Audit

• Lead a structured audit of the data platform, covering data quality, technology decisions and key challenges
• Assess the current cloud data warehouse estate for cost, scalability and integration, and identify where a Google Cloud-centred approach could replace or complement it
• Review the AI platform and its connectivity to Legacy systems, and identify where it will not scale
• Identify cost inefficiencies, including AI, cloud and compute spend
• Assess the platform against multi-region, scalable and secure design principles
• Support the existing team with light technical decision-making during the audit
• Produce clear documentation and technical material to support senior stakeholders and external due diligence

Phase 2: Handover

• Hand over findings, risks, recommendations and open questions to the incoming permanent leader
• Provide context on the stack, team, stakeholders and decisions made to date
• Ensure documentation and architecture views are complete and usable without you
• Remain available for an agreed overlap or Q&A period

Essential Experience

• Senior or lead-level Data Architect with a strong engineering background
• Strong Google Cloud expertise
• Proven experience assessing legacy, siloed or single-market platforms and defining realistic paths to scalable, multi-region architectures
• Multi-region cloud experience, with an understanding of GDPR and EU/UK data governance differences
• Solid understanding of platform security considerations
• Experience with AI/ML infrastructure and its cost management
• Strong communicator, comfortable with senior stakeholders including C-level
• Track record of clean handovers into permanent leadership