Interim Principal Azure Data Architect

Interim Principal Azure Data Architect Location: North London (hybrid) Contract: Interim Rate:£900 per day outside IR 35 A complex organisation based in North London is seeking an Interim Principal Azure Data Architect to reset, review, and re-implement its data architecture. This role is for a through-and-through data architect. It is not a solution architect or enterprise architect position. You will take ownership of the data layer end to end, assessing the current state, defining the target data architecture, and leading the implementation across Azure. The Role This is a senior, hands-on role combining deep technical authority with clear executive communication. You will work closely with technology leadership, engineering teams, and senior stakeholders to bring clarity, structure, and momentum to the data estate. Key responsibilities include: • Conducting a full data architecture review and reset, including platforms, models, pipelines, and governance • Designing and implementing a robust Azure data architecture aligned to business and analytics needs • Defining data models, data domains, lineage, quality, and governance standards • Setting architectural principles for ingestion, transformation, storage, analytics, and consumption • Working hands-on with engineering teams to ensure designs are implemented correctly • Producing clear architectural documentation suitable for both technical and non-technical audiences • Acting as the single point of authority on data architecture decisions Required Experience • Proven experience as a Principal or Lead Data Architect, not solution or enterprise architecture • Deep, practical experience across the Azure data stack (for example Azure Data Factory, Synapse, Fabric, Databricks, Data Lake, SQL) • Strong background in data modelling, analytics architecture, and large-scale data platforms • Experience leading data architecture resets or remediation programmes • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders • Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments and bringing structure quickly Why This Role • Genuine architectural ownership, not a delivery support role • Opportunity to materially improve how data is structured, governed, and used • High-impact interim engagement with clear expectations and senior visibility