At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! So, if you like the sound of one of our jobs, please apply - you could be just who we’re looking for! Of course, experience and track record are important, but we’re more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That’s someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK’s leading Social Enterprise we’re dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and Employees.

So, what are you waiting for? Join a community that cares about you!

More about the team

The Data and Platform Engineering team are the foundation for the Data Office function. Responsible for designing, building, and maintaining PfP’s data platform we extract data from source, transform it into a usable format, load it into consumer models and marts and build and manage the infrastructure to do all this work.

Data Engineering are transforming the way PfP consumes data. Having transitioned from On Premise to Google Cloud we are in the process of building a leading-edge Data Mesh platform. This is an exciting time to join a growing business function, with the opportunity to make your mark defining the architecture of the data platform and the continued development of the data engineering function.

The Role of the Data Architect

The Data Architect occupies a pivotal position within our data engineering team, driving both strategic and enabling initiatives. This individual is instrumental in ensuring that our data platform supports decentralisation, in line with data mesh principles. Furthermore, the Data Architect guarantees that our data products are interoperable, well-governed, and consistently aligned with both enterprise standards and the overarching data platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Platform Architecture Design: Overseeing the comprehensive design of the data platform’s architecture, ensuring it meets current and future needs.
• Architectural Documentation: Producing clear, detailed architectural documentation and diagrams to facilitate understanding and implementation.
• Domain-Oriented Ownership: Embedding a domain-oriented ownership model and fostering a Data as a Product (DaP) mindset across all development efforts.
• Tool and Service Evaluation: Assessing and recommending the most suitable tools, infrastructure, and services to enhance the platform.
• Architectural Standards: Establishing and maintaining architectural standards, reference architectures, and best practices throughout the team.
• Governance: Designing solutions that uphold governance, security, and quality requirements.
• Data Product Design Standards: Ensuring that data products are discoverable, interoperable, and trustworthy, adhering to high standards.
• Data Pipeline Design: Designing robust data pipelines, including batch, event-driven, and streaming architectures.
• Operational Considerations: Addressing operational concerns such as security, scalability, performance, observability, and user experience.

Collaboration and Advisory Functions

The Data Architect works closely and collaboratively with the Principal Data Platform Engineer and the Principal Data Engineer to architect and develop the data platform. In this capacity, the Data Architect acts as a trusted advisor on data strategy and platform direction, providing valuable input on data capabilities and trade-offs, and making significant contributions to the development of the data roadmap.

In addition, the Data Architect partners with domain squads, assisting them in designing robust data products and providing architectural designs and technical guidance. The role also encompasses the mentorship of engineers and analysts in areas such as data modelling, integration, and design best practices, thus strengthening the overall technical capability of the team.

At Places for People, we are committed to a safe working environment so a basic DBS check is mandatory.

Profile Overview

As an experienced and talented Data Solutions Architect, you possess a proven track record alongside hands-on cloud platform expertise spanning Google Cloud Platform, Azure, or AWS. Your innovative approach is characterised by a commitment to researching emerging technologies, ensuring the most effective solutions are identified for any given challenge. When faced with problems, you demonstrate logical thinking, systematically breaking them down into actionable outcomes and documenting your proposals comprehensively.

Ownership and Leadership

You are recognised for taking ownership and responsibility, proactively advancing the data platform while maintaining a vigilant stance to minimise risks consistent with business appetite. Your strong understanding of building robust data mesh architectures is complemented by thorough knowledge of data security and GDPR requirements.

Collaboration and Communication

Your engagement with the broader data community enables you to gain valuable insights into their needs, fostering trusted relationships across IT and throughout the business. Your ability to communicate clearly and concisely with non-technical stakeholders ensures they fully understand the objectives, rationale, and methodology behind proposed solutions.

Drive and Mentorship

Self-motivated and equipped with excellent leadership skills, you consistently drive innovation and actively mentor team members, further enhancing the capabilities and cohesion of your team.

Experience & Skills

• Experience as a Data Solutions Architect or similar role with strong track record.
• Good understanding of Google’s Big Query platform.
• Expertise in data platform architecture, configuration, and optimisation with a focus on MPP databases like Google BigQuery.
• Strong knowledge of data mesh principles, database design, data warehousing concepts, and ETL/ELT processes.
• Exceptional problem solving and analytical skills with an eye for identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to explain in detail technical solutions to engineers and at high level to non-technical executives

We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for.

We know that there’s always more we can do to make you smile, that’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:

• Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly
• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
• Excellent holiday package – 35 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave
• Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year
• A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%
• Training and development
• Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.

What’s next?

If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then click apply. You will be redirected to our careers site where you can discover more about the role, read a full job description and apply directly to us.

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and accessible recruitment process for all.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We’re happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.

If you are a Places for People customer and you’re looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on skillsemployment@placesforpeople.co.uk.

We understand the importance of a supportive and inclusive work culture so please talk to us at interview about flexibility you may need. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we promise not to judge you for asking.

If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls

Safeguarding

At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect.

We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment.

By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities