Interim Director of Data and Digital Architecture
| Posting date: | 16 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £600.0 to £800.0 per day |
| Additional salary information: | 600 - 800 Inside IR35 |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 23 March 2026 |
| Location: | Leeds, West Yorkshire, ls18eq |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 4780298_1773679268 |
Summary
Interim Director Of Data & Digital Architecture3-6-Month Contract | Inside IR35 | £600-£800 per dayRemote First with Occasional National TravelStart: ASAP
Your New OrganisationA large, national, mission‑driven organisation is undergoing significant digital, data and technology modernisation. To maintain momentum during a period of transition, they are seeking an Interim Director of Data & Digital Architecture to provide technical leadership, delivery assurance and stability across their data and digital transformation portfolio.This is an ideal role for an experienced interim who can quickly embed, guide teams, and take ownership of critical data and architecture workstreams - without needing to operate at full, permanent Director-level scope.
Your New RoleReporting to senior technology leadership, you will lead and oversee the organisation's data and architecture functions, ensuring consistent design governance, secure delivery, and progress across complex, multi-team workstreams.What you will be doing
- Lead the data architecture and solutions architecture functions, ensuring alignment with the organisation's technology roadmap.
- Oversee the design, build and evolution of the enterprise data platform, including data models, data warehousing, and master data pipelines.
- Take operational ownership of the organisation's Microsoft Fabric environment, including Lakehouse architecture, Dataflows Gen2, Pipelines, semantic models, workspace governance and end-to-end data lifecycle management.
- Manage and optimise the Azure data ecosystem: Azure Data Factory, Azure SQL, Azure Storage, Azure Logic Apps, Azure Function Apps and authentication/identity services.
- Provide governance and technical support for Power BI reporting, including modelling, performance tuning and adoption standards.
- Support the successful delivery of automations, integrations, and digital improvements across multiple programmes.
- Work closely with multidisciplinary teams including Developers, Data Engineers, Low-Code Engineers, Product Owners and Delivery Managers.
- Ensure all technical delivery follows strong security, compliance, documentation and auditability requirements.
- Partner with Cyber Security, IT Operations, Change and other internal teams to ensure solution readiness and smooth transition into BAU.
- Define and embed architectural patterns, reusable components, design principles and standards.
- Identify practical opportunities to leverage AI, automation, and M365 capabilities to improve efficiency and innovation.
What You'll Need to SucceedTechnical Skills & Experience
- Significant experience at Head of / Director / Senior Architecture Consultant level across data, enterprise or solutions architecture.
- Deep, hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric (Lakehouse, Dataflows Gen2, Pipelines, semantic models, governance).
- Strong Azure engineering and integration capability across data services and cloud architecture.
- Expertise in data warehousing, ETL/ELT, data lakes, modelling and modern BI practices.
- Strong Power BI knowledge - modelling, governance, performance and best practice.
- Understanding of digital integration, automation tooling and contemporary architectural frameworks.
Leadership & Delivery
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary technical teams in complex or high-change environments.
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business-focused communication.
- Confident operating across senior stakeholders, vendors and cross‑functional delivery groups.
- Pragmatic, delivery-focused, and able to quickly build credibility and provide direction.
What You'll Get in Return
- A high-impact interim assignment within a large, purpose-led organisation.
- Opportunity to stabilise and advance key digital and data transformation work.
- £600-£800 per day, Inside IR35.
- Remote-first role with occasional national travel required.
What you need to do now
If you're an experienced interim leader across data, architecture or digital transformation - with strong Microsoft Fabric and Azure expertise - we'd welcome your application.Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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