Data Architect

Department: Times Higher Education    
Status:    Full time 
Location:     London and virtual (completely virtual during the pandemic)
Reporting to:    Head of Data Science

The Company

More specific

The World University Insights Ltd, publisher of Times Higher Education, is the data provider underpinning university excellence in every continent across  the world. As the company behind the world’s most influential university rankings, and with almost five decades of experience as a source of analysis and insight on higher education, we have unparalleled expertise on the trends underpinning university performance globally. Our data and benchmarking tools are used by many of the world’s most prestigious universities to help them achieve their strategic goals.

Given our ambitious plans for growth, this is a great opportunity to help create new data products, enhance the quality of existing data solutions, and ensure solutions are well designed, all within a dynamic environment. You will have access to subject matter experts across the organisation as well as technical expertise to assist you in delivering world class solutions. The successful applicant will have the aptitude, attitude, and gravitas to make this role their own.

For more information on Times Higher Education please visit http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk. 

Key Tasks and responsibilities

THE are looking for an experienced full time Data Architect who wants to roll their sleeves up and help create solutions; this is far more about solution architecture than enterprise architecture. They will be instrumental in helping deliver the strategic data projects roadmap. 

Reporting into the Head of Data Science, you will be responsible for collecting and understanding business requirements, architecting and designing logical data solutions, and ensuring the work is being delivered to specification by delivery teams. You will be the technical data authority on projects, and act as an advisor on logical data matters across the company, so the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders across the business is paramount. While primarily working with colleagues in the UK, this also involves some working across timezones, different cultures and companies.

Some projects will be green-field as we venture into new markets and products, some projects will involve improving or re-engineering existing solutions, you should be equally comfortable tackling both kinds of projects.

Key role responsibilities: 

Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Liaise with colleagues to understand and document data requirements for our solutions
• Assessing the high-level feasibility of delivery and provision of estimates
• High level architecture and logical design of data solutions
• Data modelling at the conceptual and logical level
• Ensuring solutions fulfil non-functional requirements
• Ensuring SIT and UAT test questions can be resolved
• Ensure project risks are well understood
• Coding prototypes to resolve problems (ideally in Python, SQL, and/or Excel)
• Working closely with the Data Science and Engineering teams to create solutions
• Understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and potential of the data we possess
• Helping to ensure key reference data is captured, maintained, and utliised properly across our data estate

Education and experience requirements 

• You will be able to demonstrate the aptitude and attitude to take responsibility for the data architecture within projects.
• 5+ years professional working experience in similar roles with very strong data modelling skills.
• You will be a good communicator, negotiator and influencer: the role involves close collaboration with key business stakeholders, product managers, data scientists, software and infrastructure engineers and commercial teams.  
• Demonstrable ability to be able to see the big picture and understand underlying requirements, challenging pre-conceived ideas of solutions.
• You will be highly motivated, delivery focussed, pragmatic and have an open and honest approach. Able to work both at a detail and strategic level as and when required. 
• Knowledge of coding in tools such as SQL, Excel, Python.
• Knowledge of AWS an advantage.
• A degree in Mathematics, Economics, Physics, Computer Science or other Quantitative fields
• Professional experience in higher education and research projects is desirable although not mandatory.

Key attributes we are looking for:

• A passion for creating value from data
• Highly logical thinker who can quickly understand the potential for  data solutions utilising architectural principles
• Self starter and completer-finisher attitude to manage work
• Very strong verbal and written English communication skills
• High energy and drive that suits a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable working outside of rigid structures and frameworks
• Effective working in ambiguous environments

The World University Insights Ltd relies on the flexibility of its staff to ensure the continuity of the high standards and performance, as such this job description is only intended to be a guide to the most regularly performed duties, it does not form part of the contract of employment and is subject to amendment and change as may be considered.