Principal Data Architect

Principal Data Architect

Salary not available. View on company website.

Home Office, Solihull

  • Full time
  • Permanent
  • Remote working

Posted 1 week ago, 7 Jul | Get your application in now before you miss out!

Closing date: Closing date not specified

job Ref: 6ffbad89fd5d4fdcb124529640b6bd84

Full Job Description

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Home Office Digital, Data and Technology designs, builds and develops services for the rest of the department and for government. Every year our systems support up to 3 million visa applications, checks on 100 million border crossings, up to 8 million passport applications and deliver 140 million police checks on people, vehicles and property.
The Oracle Information Architect role is responsible for understanding, controlling and exploiting the (Metis) ERP datasets to maximise the benefits of these datasets for the organisation. This role is based on the standard Principal Data Architect within DDaT Framework.
As a Principal Data Architect (G6), you will set and champion the Home Office's data vision, deciding how data is stored, managed, and integrated enterprise-wide. Leading a team of Lead Data Architects, you will ensure our systems adhere to robust data architecture principles, frameworks, and best practices. Your role spans developing technical roadmaps, defining data policies, and driving consistent modelling, governance, and metadata standards. You will be able to build effective partnerships with diverse teams across multiple locations and technologies. If you have a passion for using data to create secure, high-impact services while inspiring diverse teams to adopt cutting-edge approaches, this is an ideal opportunity to shape how the Home Office delivers on its mission to keep the country safe., In this role, you will own the data strategy for the Home Office, ensuring systems and solutions align with enterprise data architecture principles. Working closely with senior leaders, you'll define how data is modelled, integrated, and governed across diverse business domains. As the top-level authority on data, you'll set policies for naming, structuring, securing, and formatting data - championing consistent standards and ways of working across government.
By collaborating with technical teams, you'll ensure that conceptual, logical, and physical data models are fit for purpose, leveraging next-generation cloud technologies, metadata solutions, and best-in-class analytics. You'll also advise on advanced topics like master data management and data lifecycle strategies, helping project teams handle complexity at scale. Beyond guiding system design, you'll nurture a culture of data excellence, coaching Lead Data Architects and facilitating knowledge-sharing to keep teams on the cutting edge. This role is critical in establishing a solid foundation for data management within an organisation, ensuring that data is organized, accessible, secure, and aligned with business objectives. Ultimately, your leadership and vision will unify data practices across Home Office programs and transform how we unlock insights and value from critical data assets., + Define and drive the enterprise data architecture vision, aligning with Home Office priorities to store, manage, and integrate data effectively.
+ Set data policies and standards for modelling, governance, security, and lifecycle management, ensuring consistent adherence across teams.
+ Lead and mentor a team of Data Architects (G7 and below), overseeing performance, professional development, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
+ Oversee the creation of conceptual, logical, and physical data models, assuring they meet high-level requirements for availability, scalability, and compliance.
+ Collaborate with senior stakeholders to develop technical roadmaps, evaluating emerging tools (cloud data platforms, analytics frameworks) for strategic adoption.
+ Champion data architecture within cross-government forums, setting collaborative benchmarks and encouraging best practices.
+ Provide expert guidance to project teams, ensuring they follow industry-recognized patterns and apply data governance principles throughout the project lifecycle.
+ Own meta data architecture solutions and master data management strategies, ensuring a holistic view of data assets.
+ Liaise with other parts of Home Office in the use and sharing of Oracle Metis data sets across the estate.
+ Support data quality initiatives and data governance of the Oracle Metis data sets.
Other day to day activities:
You will also be expected to carry out the following day to day activities:
+ Engage with senior business and technical stakeholders to understand emerging needs and shape data-driven solutions.
+ Assess departmental changes or technology upgrades, advising on data impact and mitigating potential risks.
+ Lead cross-government or industry collaborations to stay informed of evolving standards and influence wider data architecture practice.
Working Pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. However, compressed hours are available., You'll have a demonstrable passion for enterprise-scale data architecture, with the following key abilities or experience:
+ Deep expertise in multiple database technologies, data integration, metadata management, and advanced analytics, exploiting data across complex technical domains.
+ Data leadership: guiding cross-functional teams in good data modelling, database management, and governance principles.
+ Strategic planning: defining and maintaining technical roadmaps, tracking industry advances (e.g., digital analytics, data manipulation products).
+ Standards and policies: identifying and applying industry-recognized data patterns, ensuring robust naming, securing, and formatting conventions.
+ Modelling authority: leading conceptual, logical, and physical designs for distributed databases and driving MDM and metadata architectures.
+ Cloud data: architecting solutions in public or hybrid cloud environments, optimizing for scale, performance, and cost-efficiency.
+ Stakeholder engagement: communicating effectively with diverse audiences and forging consensus on data architectural decisions.
+ Driving value of our data in modelling best practice Analytics capabilities and future AI use cases.
The essential skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession Career Framework (based on the industry standard SFIA framework- Use the levels of responsibility to understand what would be expected for each technical skill listed). Please see below for the relevant skills for your role:
Strategy and Architecture
+ Strategy and Planning
1. Strategic Planning (ITSP) - Level 5
2. Information Management (IRMG) - Level 4
3. Innovation (INOV) - Level 4
4. Solution Architecture (ARCH) - Level 4
+ Advice and Guidance
1. Consultancy (CNSL) - Level 4
Development and Implementation
+ Data and Analytics
1. Data Modelling and Design (DTAN) - Level 5, For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, and Personal Statement), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
2. Sift - by Friday 18th July 2025
The sift will be held on the CV and Personal Statement.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of the CV.
3. Interview - week commencing 4th August 2025
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviour based questions (as listed in the job advert) and Technical skills questions.
The interview will take place on MS Teams.
Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to:
+ A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
+ Good internet connection
+ Microsoft Teams
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you've made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.
Location Preferences
You can select up to three locations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred location(s) and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Reserve lists will be held for each location and profession. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location and profession.
Candidates judged to be a near miss at interview may be offered a post at the grade below the one advertised without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has the same Success Profiles elements and essential skills. There is no guarantee that further such vacancies will arise.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Further information
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.
If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
+ Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
+ Complete the "Assistance Required" section in the "Additional Requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window)., If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Ideally you will also have the following skills or some experience in:
+ HR management experience, such as interviewing, hiring, or conducting performance assessments to build strong data teams.
+ Awareness of advanced data ethics frameworks, ensuring secure, responsible data usage for all deployed solutions.
+ Experience with Oracle Fusion related datasets and Cloud products including EPM and FDI and integration services
Qualifications
+ A bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, engineering, or related field is desirable but not essential.
+ Data certification like CDMP is desirable., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Knowledge of Oracle systems

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
+ In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
+ 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
+ Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
+ Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
Digital Capability-Based Allowance
+ The advertised role is part of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession. This role has access to a Digital Capability-Based Allowance. Applicants who are successful at interview will be invited to complete a Capability and Skills Assessment post-interview. Any allowance awarded will be based on the assessment of your capability against the six skills advertised for this role. Please see the Home Office Pay Framework Allowance Careers page for more information.
+ The allowance values are set by the Home Office, subject to remaining in a qualifying role, and are non-pensionable. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time.
+ For existing Home Office staff, the total compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance.
See more of our benefits on our careers website.

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