Data Architect 

Location: Hybrid (Monument Place) 
Reporting to: Head of Data & Analytics 

Help Build the Data Foundations of GTR's Future 

Are you passionate about designing data platforms that enable better decision making, advanced analytics innovation at scale? 

At GTR, we're looking for an Data Architect to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our DataHub platform. This is an exciting opportunity to influence how data is structured, governed and optimised across one of the UK's largest train operating companies, ensuring our data ecosystem can support everything from operational reporting to machine learning solutions. 

You'll join our growing Data & AI function at a critical point in our data transformation journey, helping to define the architecture that underpins smarter decisions, improved performance and long-term business success. 

About the Role 

As a Data Architect, you will be responsible for defining and assuring the logical and physical data architecture of GTR's DataHub platform. 

Working across a complex data landscape of more than 300 business systems, over 50 integrated data sources and 40+ data products supporting over 2,000 daily users, you'll ensure data is structured, scalable and governed to support both current and future business needs. 

You'll provide architectural leadership and expert guidance across the platform, helping teams design efficient, sustainable and cost-effective solutions while ensuring the platform remains robust enough to support operational reporting, analytics, machine learning and AI workloads. 

You'll also play an important role in developing GTR's internal data architecture capability and working with industry-wide initiatives to ensure our data architecture evolves in line with the future of the UK rail industry. 

What You'll Be Doing 

• Defining and maintaining the data architecture roadmap for the DataHub platform. 

• Designing and governing common data models, conformed dimensions and shared datasets. 

• Providing architectural oversight of ETL/ELT pipelines, data ingestion patterns and data partitioning strategies. 

• Applying architectural best practices to new and evolving business requirements. 

• Identifying opportunities to reduce data duplication, improve efficiency and optimise storage costs. 

• Monitoring platform performance and recommending architectural improvements that enhance scalability and usability. 

• Ensuring appropriate separation of workloads so that experimentation and innovation activities do not impact critical reporting services. 

• Providing architectural assurance and guidance to data engineering, platform and analytics teams. 

• Collaborating closely with the Platform Lead, Insight Lead and business subject matter experts to ensure the DataHub platform continues to support evolving data, analytics and AI capabilities. 

• Supporting GTR's alignment with wider rail industry data initiatives and future data standards. 

What We're Looking For 

We're looking for a strategic thinker who combines strong technical expertise with a practical approach to designing enterprise-scale data solutions. 

You Will Bring: 

• Experience as a Data Architect, Senior Data Engineer or similar architecture-focused role. 

• Strong expertise in data modelling, data warehousing and modern lakehouse architectures. 

• Experience designing and supporting enterprise scale analytical data platforms. 

• A deep understanding of data architecture principles, governance and scalable platform design. 

• Experience working with modern cloud based data technologies, ideally including Microsoft Fabric and related Microsoft data services. 

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to balance immediate business requirements with long-term architectural sustainability. 

• Experience designing efficient data structures that support reporting, analytics, machine learning and AI use cases. 

• The ability to identify inefficiencies, simplify complex data landscapes and drive optimisation opportunities. 

• Excellent communication and documentation skills, with the ability to explain architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. 

• A collaborative approach with the confidence to provide expert guidance and challenge existing ways of working where appropriate. 

Qualifications 

• Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience. 

Why Join Us? 

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the architecture that powers GTR's data-driven future. 

You'll work at the heart of a modern data environment, influencing how data is managed and consumed across the organisation while helping establish the foundations for advanced analytics, machine learning and AI innovation. Your work will directly impact how thousands of users access trusted data and insight every day. 

Our culture is built around being Fair, Accountable, Collaborative, Transparent and Open-Minded, while ensuring everyone feels Valued, Respected and Safe. We believe diverse perspectives create better outcomes and we're committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. 

Ready to Design the Future of Data at GTR? 

If you're an data architecture professional who enjoys solving complex challenges, shaping enterprise-scale platforms and creating the foundations for analytics and AI success, we'd love to hear from you. 

Join us and help build the data architecture that powers the future of GTR. 

How to Apply

Please complete the application form and submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you and exploring whether GTR could be your next career step.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.