Senior Data Architect

Details
Reference number

437109

Salary

£57,515

Plus an additional allowance up to £22,885

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

MCA - Information Technology

Type of role

Architecture and Data

Digital

Information Technology

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Southampton

About the job
Job summary

Can you translate complex data needs into elegant, actionable solutions that shape strategy and drive meaningful organisational change?

Do you thrive on collaboration, guiding others with confidence and care to build data architecture that generates lasting impact?

If so, we'd love to hear from you

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Information Technology (IT) Strategy & Architecture function enables the organisation to deliver world-class services. It is a centre of excellence that is responsible for the technology strategy, delivering a broad portfolio of change to transform the Agency's legacy technologies and deliver innovative new solutions designed around our customers' needs.

The architecture team is responsible for the definition of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency technology strategy, the development of the solutions' architectures required to realise this strategy and ensuring that architecture and technology principles are met and maintained. The role sits within a digital team of user-centred design and architecture and will focus on operational data for a variety of critical systems and change work.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King's birthday.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below

Find out more about what it's like working at MCA: Maritime and Coastguard Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

The key responsibilities of this role will include but are not limited to:

• Collaborate with the Chief Data Architect to interpret business requirements and maintain consistency in data architecture across programmes.
• Participate in governance forums such as the Architecture Review Board and Data Governance Board to review, validate, and approve data models, metadata systems, and related artefacts.
• Identify and escalate data-related risks, blockers, or deviations from agreed standards to the Chief Data Architect, contributing to continuous improvement of data practices. Provide technical leadership and guidance to partner data architects and delivery teams, ensuring adherence to data architecture principles and standards challenging third-party designs where necessary.
• Define and maintain the enterprise data architecture, including data models, metadata, integration patterns, and business intelligence or data warehouse structures.
• Design and support the lifecycle management of data assets- including upgrade, decommissioning, and archiving- in compliance with data policy and architectural strategy.
• Ensure that data architecture artefacts are documented and maintained in the enterprise architecture repository, and that they remain compliant with MCA's architecture strategy and principles.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, not all criteria may be assessed during the recruitment process; this job advert outlines exactly which ones will be.

Person specification

A data architect designs and builds data models to fulfil the strategic data needs of the organisation, as defined by the Chief Data Architect. As Senior Data Architect you will also deliver the vision for the organisation as set by the Chief Data Architect. You will also be instrumental in the definition of technology roadmaps that are aligned to business and IT strategy that support business change, and you will define the Master Data Strategy and the Data Archival Strategy for operational data.

You will need the following experience:

• Significant experience in data architecture, data modelling, database design, or a related area such as application architecture is expected.
• Expertise in data modelling tools and methodologies.
• Proficiency in database management systems (DBMS) like SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, and big data solutions using technologies such as no-SQL.
• Experience in using cloud services such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platforms.

Additional Information

The role is part of the Government Digital and Data (or Government Security Profession Career Framework) profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.

The base pay is £57,515. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £22,885.

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process. Here are more details on the pay framework.

This role will be based from our Southampton office. MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work.

The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or out on official business. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager.

There is also a requirement for occasional international and UK travel which may require overnight stays. A valid passport will be required.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week. We can accommodate part time applications via job share.

Please note that we will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. Therefore, this role is not open to applications from those who require sponsorship – candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Senior Data Architect - Data Governance
• Senior Data Architect - Data Modelling
• Senior Data Architect - Data Standards
• Senior Data Architect - Problem Management
• Senior Data Architect - Turning Business Problems into Data Design

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies .

Things you need to know
Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement.

Stage 2: Interview and Presentation.

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited word count) and personal statement (1000 words). Please provide evidence of your experience of the following:

• Significant experience in data architecture, data modelling, database design, or a related area such as application architecture is expected.
• Expertise in data modelling tools and methodologies.
• Proficiency in database management systems (DBMS) like SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, and big data solutions using technologies such as no-SQL.
• Experience in using cloud services such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platforms.

The sift will take place from the 1st December 2025.

Stage 2: Interview.

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours - Making Effective Decisions, Working Together, Communicating and Influencing.
• Technical - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework - Senior Data Architect.

You will also be required to deliver a presentation to assess your technical skills and civil service behaviours. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

The interviews will take place from the 29th December 2025.

This interview will be conducted online via MS Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site .

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Further information on the selection process

We will also hold a 12 month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).

If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.

AI Tools and Platforms

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

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.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

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)
• 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

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 : Elliot Morgan
• Email :

Recruitment team

• Email :

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here

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