Senior Data Architect - Contract

We are hiring a Senior Data Architect as part of a large digital transformation project in the public sector. This role leads the design and implementation of a robust data governance framework, ensuring alignment across systems and stakeholders. It combines strategic planning with technical expertise in data management, migration, and integration. The position drives secure, scalable solutions while enabling effective knowledge transfer. This is a hybrid role with an expectation of 3 days per week on site in Dublin, Ireland.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Leads on the overall engagement, develops an agreed engagement and delivery plan and ensures that all deliverables achieve to their required standard.
• Oversee the thorough review of existing data workstream documentation and deliverables to ensure new activities are correctly aligned.

Design, in partnership with internal stakeholders, an initial data governance roadmap and operating model which includes policies, procedures and practices with appropriate levels of data ownership, stewardship and governance that allows for changes in terms of scope and scale. Identifies and documents the correct steps regarding the technical implementation of the data governance model how rulesets and permissions are implemented at the correct architectural level to ensure that are usable across all data storage/management/reporting platforms. Leads engagement with business stakeholders to obtain sign-off on the existing Critical Data Elements (CDE) list and identify any additional CDEs for documentation, ensuring alignment with the BRD and analytical architecture – resulting in CDE sign off report, updated logical model and CDEs spreadsheet. Maps CDEs (including newly identified ones) to potential target CRM platforms, aligned with analytics needs – resulting in technical specifications and ERDs detailing tables structures, index’s, fields/objects. Enhances the migration strategy with ETL processes, source-to-target mappings, QA checks, timelines, rollback, and contingency plans, incorporating any new CDEs – resulting in migration playbook, ETL process design, mapping document and validation procedures. Designs synchronisation for SQL Server, CRM, and analytical platform using iPaaS, prioritising core CDEs (including new ones) - resulting in architecture document (patterns, APIs, data flow diagrams) and PoC design specifications.

• Designs test cases for migration and iPaaS synchronisation with the QA lead, covering all CDEs and analytics – resulting in test case documents for migration and synchronization
• Responsible for ensuring all testing and validation activities across roles are aligned.

Ensures that knowledge and skills transfer activities are carried out and are effective. Equivalent of 7+ years of extensive professional experience in the data architecture role. Experience should include working as a data architect in significant digital transformation programmes with direct responsibility for data related deliverables. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field TOGAF, CDMP or equivalent but experience in a data architect role well beyond the seven-plus years minimum experience for this role is an acceptable alternative. Experience with Database Management, Data Governance, Data Modelling, Data Warehousing, ETL Processes and SaaS CRM platforms deployments Skillsets Technical proficiency in database design, data warehousing, data governance Knowledge of data security measures and implementation Programming skills especially SQL Data integration Cloud platforms especially SaaS CRM and data warehousing inclusive of significant data migrations Data Modelling SaaS CRM platforms deployments Database Management Data Governance ETL Processes Data Warehousing Competencies Analytical thinking Problem-Solving Strategic Planning Communication