Senior Data Architect (up to £81,736)

Job summary

Join the Department for Education as a Senior Data Architect and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education and children’s social care through data-driven innovation.

In this role, you will design and implement data flows and models that not only describe the current state of critical services but also set ambitious targets that better fulfil the strategic data needs of individual services and the Department as a whole. Your work will enable smarter, evidence-based decisions that improve outcomes for citizens across England.

You will collaborate with a portfolio of delivery teams working on services essential to education and social care. By defining robust data architectures, standards, and governance frameworks, you will ensure that data is accurate, accessible, and interoperable across systems. This is an opportunity to lead on creating future-proof solutions that support advanced analytics and emerging technologies, while making a tangible impact on services that matter most to society.

If you are successful, you could be working in Digital Data Technology (DDT) as part of:

• Enterprise Data for Insight team, where we deliver cutting edge data services across the school and children’s social care sectors. Our flagship data services cover different aspects of learner and children’s social care data, which are used to support: parental choice for school selection; performance tables; Ofsted assurance; schools, Local Authorities; researchers and the wider public. (This position is available in all the advertised locations).

• Enterprise Data team. Data plays a key role in achieving the department’s vision; Within Enterprise Data we are striving to make DfE a data-led organisation, where we can have responsive decisions that leads to better outcomes for all children, young people and adults. The senior data architect role will help us achieve that by defining and optimising data flows across our complex cloud estate. (This position is available in Coventry, Sheffield and Manchester.)

• Enterprise Data for Funding and Oversight team, to develop and enhance the post-16 data modelling services that we offer to our users, including the Further Education Data Lakehouse. (This position is available in Coventry, Sheffield and Manchester.)

Job description

As a Senior Data Architect, your main responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining an excellent relationship with your Service Owner(s) to understand their needs, looking for deeper underlying problems to solve and promoting the wider opportunities for transformation.
• Creating comprehensive data model (entity relationship) diagrams for each relational schema forming a part of the Service. This will cover each level of data modelling of Conceptual, Logical and Physical.
• Reusing or creating, common entities and attributes wherever there is a direct conceptual correspondence.
• Taking responsibility for the data architecture of your portfolio of services, including how they interact with up- and downstream data systems, even as these evolve over time.
• Leading on problems that require broad architectural thinking in your service(s), while creating space for data specialists to take the initiative on the detail.
• Defining and maintaining the data architecture, including metadata, and orchestration for analytical use.
• Working with Data and Service Owners to capture decisions on Data Classification at attribute level.
• Providing input into data dictionaries.
• Designing, supporting and providing guidance for the upgrade, management, decommission and archive of data in compliance with data policy
• Considering Data Access Control processes and documenting decisions.
• Playing an active role in the DfE Architecture community, where you will recognise and share successful implementations of tools and techniques, as well as creating a sense of unified purpose.
• Helping to build a diverse, inclusive culture across the architecture community with a positive attitude towards feedback.
• Working with your Lead Data Architect, colleagues and peers on profession-based activities (and cross-profession), such as defining standards and guidance around best practice.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

1. Assessed in application and both interview stages:

• Experience of the practice of data model design selecting appropriate data modelling patterns.
• Experience of creating data flow diagrams using clear notation and leading the development of data orchestration.
• Experience of delivering against a wide variety of use cases, including both operational and analytical, through effective data platform technology decisions.

2. Assessed in application and second interview stage:

• The ability to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders to achieve agreement on delivery plans.
• The ability to look beyond immediate technical problems and identify the wider implications.
• The ability to manage challenging and sensitive communications and take difficult decisions.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience using data modelling tools such as Erwin data modeller or equivalent.
• Experience of mentoring and supporting colleagues in multi-disciplinary teams, one-to-one or in groups.
• Ability to work with stakeholders to produce effective platform and workload selection to meet business needs.
• Practical knowledge at many levels of the data stack, from querying, down to infrastructure and networking.

Desirable criteria will only be assessed at interview, in the event of a tie break situation, to make an informed decision.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,185, Department for Education contributes £16,856 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Application

At application you will be asked to provide your CV and a statement of suitability.

Your CV should include details of previous roles held and responsibilities / previous skills and experience.

Your statement of suitability (max 1250 words) should demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section above.

Your CV and statement will be assessed together against the listed essential criteria.

First stage interview

Longlisted candidates may be invited to attend a preliminary interview, typically involving a commitment of up to 1 hour.

The interview will consist of a series of questions to further assess the essential criteria for the role, focused on the first three essential criteria.

Interviews will be on MS teams, which may be remote or from a DfE office - we will confirm which when you are invited to an interview.

If successful, candidates will then be invited to a second interview.

Second stage interview:

At this interview we will ask questions to further assess your experience in relation to all of the listed essential criteria.

Interviews will be on MS teams, which may be remote or from a DfE office - we will confirm which when you are invited to an interview.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Timing

We expect to sift in week commencing 13 April 2026.

First stage interviews will likely take place in the weeks commencing 4 May 2026.

Second stage interviews will likely take place in the week commencing 18 May 2026.

Once a provisional offer has been made, you will be invited to participate in a capability assessment to determine the value of the CBP allowance we can offer you. The assessment compares your skills against the Senior Data Architect role described in DfE’s local Data Architecture Capability Framework, which is based on the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework.

Subject to your availability, we will aim to conduct the capability assessment and confirm the allowance offer to you within a week of the provisional offer being made.

This is a discretionary non-consolidated, non-pensionable allowance which, if awarded, is attached to the post. The value of the allowance is based on the outcome of a capability assessment and is reviewed annually. Allowance values range up to £19,400, with the highest values reserved for candidates whose capability is above the expected level for all of the skills.

If applicants are not appointable at this grade, they may be considered for positions at the grade below.

Other Information

Interviews may be via Microsoft teams or face to face; the vacancy manager will confirm prior to the Interview.

In your application, please don’t include personal information that identifies you.

This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - it's called name blind recruitment (opens in a new window).

Please ensure that you remove from your application, all references to your:

• name/title
• educational institutions
• age
• gender
• email address
• postal address
• phone number
• nationality/immigration status

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put 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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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.

Please refer to the attached ‘Reasonable Adjustments Guide 05_2025 – accessible version’ at the bottom of the advert, for further information.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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 theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : DDT Capability Based Pay team
• Email : pay-capability.ddat@education.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk

Further information

The Department for Education’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operations@education.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages

Attachments

DFE Terms & Conditions - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 215kB)Reasonable Adjustments guide 05_2025 - accessible version (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 723kB)OGD Transfer Supplementary information - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 327kB)