Data Design Lead

Position: Data Design Architect Location: Hybrid (Southampton – one day a week or once every two weeks) Duration: 6 months Engagement mode: Contract Role Experience Level: 7+ Years Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Senior / Lead Data Design Architect to take ownership of complex data modelling and architecture initiatives. The successful candidate will bring deep technical expertise in modelling high-complexity data alongside a strong grasp of data quality, lifecycle management, and modern data platform capabilities. This is a hands-on role for a meticulous, collaborative practitioner who can shape data design standards and deliver robust, scalable solutions across both tabular and non-tabular data domains. Key Responsibilities • Lead the design and delivery of conceptual, logical, and physical data models for high-complexity, enterprise-scale data environments. • Define and maintain data architecture standards, patterns, and best practices across the organisation. • Work across structured, semi-structured, and non-tabular datasets, including event-based and streaming data sources. • Establish and embed data quality management frameworks, including profiling, validation, monitoring, and remediation processes. • Own end-to-end data lifecycle management — from ingestion and curation through to archival, retention, and decommissioning. • Write, optimise, and review advanced SQL to support modelling, validation, and analytical use cases. • Partner closely with data engineers, analysts, platform teams, and business stakeholders to translate requirements into resilient data designs. • Contribute to governance, metadata management, and access control strategies on the data platform. • Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior data designers, modellers, and engineers. Required Skills & Experience • 7+ years of experience as a Data Modeller or Data Architect, with a proven track record of modelling high-complexity data in enterprise environments. • Demonstrable experience implementing and managing data quality processes and frameworks. • Strong background in data lifecycle management, covering ingestion, storage, transformation, retention, and archival. • Hands-on experience working with non-tabular data and event-based data processing. • Advanced-level SQL querying skills, including performance tuning and complex transformations. • Strong attention to detail with a disciplined approach to documentation, standards, and design quality. • A collaborative working style with the ability to engage effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Desirable Experience • Working knowledge of Databricks Unity Catalog, particularly around metadata and system tables. • Understanding of row-level security (RLS) and attribute-based access control (ABAC) within modern data platforms. What We're Looking For A pragmatic, detail-driven data design leader who combines deep modelling expertise with a collaborative mindset. You will be equally comfortable shaping high-level architecture and rolling up your sleeves to validate data at the column level — and you will bring the rigour needed to embed quality and lifecycle discipline across complex, evolving data estates.