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Lead Data Architect

Job details
Posting date: 17 February 2026
Salary: £47,181 to £51,356 per year
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 01 March 2026
Location: North Yorkshire, Yorkshire And The Humber
Remote working: Hybrid - work remotely up to 4 days per week
Company: North Yorkshire Council
Job type: Permanent
Job reference:

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Summary

Salary: £47,181- £51,356 per annum

Grade: M

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time

Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire







Are you an analytical thinker who puts people at the heart of every decision?




About the Role

We’re looking for a Lead Data Architect to shape, build and maintain modern, effective, and scalable data architecture in AWS that underpins high‑quality insight across our organisation.



In this pivotal role, you’ll lead the development of our corporate data landscape—designing robust data models, pipelines, and systems that ensure our data is reliable, secure, and accessible. You’ll work closely with business stakeholders and multidisciplinary data teams to turn information into meaningful, people‑centred solutions that drive smarter decision‑making.



As a leader, you’ll guide and mentor a team of Data Engineers, championing best practice, innovative thinking, and high standards of data quality across the organisation.



What You’ll Do

The role involves designing and maintaining the corporate data landing zone roadmap, architecting scalable data models, and developing optimised cloud-based pipelines and ETL processes in AWS.



You will ensure data quality, security and availability across the lifecycle, enhancing performance through techniques such as partitioning, compression and caching. The position provides leadership and mentoring to Data Engineers while evaluating emerging technologies, documenting data architectures, and improving analytical processes and insight generation.



You will also promote self‑service data tools, build strong organisational relationships, represent the Data & Insight Team, and deputise for the Head of Data & Insight when required.



Your day to day tasks will include-

Line-managing staff, overseeing recruitment, performance, wellbeing, and workload prioritisation.
Managing metadata, data access, and data integrity processes.
Promoting the effective use of data to drive value in decision-making and service delivery.
Working with suppliers of third-party applications to deliver integrated technical solutions.
Building strong relationships with internal and external data providers.
Championing innovative approaches to data and digital services.
Ensuring data is managed effectively and made available to services in the right way.
Influence organisational strategy through robust evidence and insight.

About You

At the core, you will need a deep knowledge of data architecture principles. Some key experiences you can bring are:

Proven experience building and maintaining cloud‑based data pipelines (e.g. AWS, Azure).
Expertise in data modelling, ETL development, and data warehousing.
Strong experience handling structured and unstructured data
Practical application of SQL, APIs, JSON, XML, Python, etc.
Ability to translate complex data into meaningful insight for non-technical audiences.
Effective communicator with strong influencing, negotiating, and relationship‑building skills.
Able to work independently, manage competing priorities, and lead through change.
High attention to detail, integrity, and a commitment to ethical data use.
Experience leading teams and data projects using agile methodologies.
Passionate about data and keen to continuously learn.


Please also highlight in your application if you have experience with Power BI and training others in data or information skills.





Why Join Us?

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of great benefits to help you financially and make life a bit easier.

These include:

a local government pension scheme with a 18.1% employer contribution
salary sacrifice schemes
modern flexible working practices
learning and development packages
career advancement opportunities
employee discount benefits including shopping and gym discounts
green car and cycle schemes
travel loans
Health Assured – confidential help and support for your wellbeing


For full details, please see our total rewards brochure.



Contact:

For more information, please see our Technology Site Careers in technology | North Yorkshire Council



For an informal chat about the role, please email Mark Peterson Mark.Peterson@northyorks.gov.uk or Jon Learoyd Jon.Learoyd@northyorks.gov.uk



Key Dates:

Closing Date: 1st March

Interview Dates: 9th, 10th and 11th March



Key Documents:

Job Description

Total Rewards Brochure





NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies.

We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.


North Yorkshire Councils’ purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other’s contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

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