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Data Architecture jobs and careers

As the use of data in business gets more and more prevalent, companies are making a significant investment into their BI systems and data infrastructure to improve efficiency and increase productivity. The major benefits of having a functioning BI system or a real-time streaming data architecture, include faster reporting, improved data quality, and increased competitive advantage.

Why consider a career as a Data Architect?

Analytics is now seen as the most important technology priority for companies around the world, and decision making in now more important than ever. There are a large range of industries that utilise Business intelligence such as; Financial Services, Healthcare, Government, Marketing and Sales, Oil and Gas and Transport.

Typical role titles include

  • Business Intelligence Designer

  • BI Designer

  • Business Intelligence Architect

  • BI Architect

  • Data Architect

  • Big Data Architect

  • Enterprise Data Architect

  • Data Solution Architect

  • Data Infrastructure Architect

  • Head of Business Intelligence

  • Business Intelligence Manager

  • Lead Data Architect

  • Head of Data Architecture

  • Information Architect

Career progression example

  • Data Engineer
  • Data Architect
  • Lead Data Architect
  • Enterprise Data Architect
  • Head of Data Architecture

Salary Benchmarks

We’ve outlined the latest salary benchmarks for Data Architecture roles in the guides below:

Data, Insight and Analytics Salary Guide

Data, Insight and Analytics Day Rate Guide

Data, Insight and Analytics Within Data Engineering Development Salary Guide

Data, Insight and Analytics Within Data Science Salary Guide

Is it right for me? The skills it takes…

Programming skills/Awareness: Data Modelling and Data Warehousing | ETL and Data Integration | OLAP Models Semantic Layer | Reporting | Dashboards | Presentation Layer | Master Data Management | Metadata Management | Predictive Analytics and Data Mining | Big Data and Streaming Data | SQL Server | Oracle | AWS |  Azure | GCP | Google Cloud | Netezza | OBIEE | PL/SQL.

Critical thinking skills: Analysing | Applying Standards | Information Seeking | Logical Reasoning | Predicting, Transforming Knowledge.

What qualifications does it take?

A-Levels in IT, Maths, Engineering Computer Science, Business Management or Degree in Computer Science, Maths, Engineering, Business Information Systems, Data Engineering, Big Data.

CAREER PATH

This guide maps out the progression of roles in Data Architecture, from entry-level data engineers through to senior leadership, including job descriptions, salary bands, and key skills for the UK market.

Junior Data Engineer / Associate Data Architect

Salary: £30k – £40k
What They Do:
Assists in building and maintaining data pipelines, learns about data modelling, and supports senior architects with data integration and quality tasks.

Skills Needed:

  • Basic SQL and database design skills
  • Understanding of ETL processes
  • Knowledge of data modelling concepts
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)
  • Problem-solving and attention to detail

Data Engineer / Data Architect

Salary: £40k – £55k
What They Do:
Designs and develops scalable data architectures, ensures data quality, and enables teams to access reliable data for analytics and operations.

Skills Needed:

  • Strong data modelling and database design
  • Expertise in SQL, Python, or Scala
  • Experience with ETL tools (Informatica, Talend, dbt)
  • Knowledge of data governance and security
  • Cloud data platform skills (Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift)

Senior Data Architect

Salary: £55k – £75k
What They Do:
Leads the design of enterprise data architecture, creates standards and best practices, and collaborates with data engineering and analytics teams.

Skills Needed:

  • Enterprise data modelling and architecture frameworks
  • Advanced understanding of data integration and pipelines
  • Real-time and batch data processing
  • Mentoring and technical leadership
  • Stakeholder engagement and requirement gathering

Lead Data Architect / Data Architecture Manager

Salary: £75k – £95k
What They Do:
Owns the organisation’s data architecture strategy, manages teams, and ensures the scalability, security, and efficiency of data systems.

Skills Needed:

  • Team management and project leadership
  • Data platform evaluation and selection
  • Governance, compliance, and security expertise
  • Cross-functional collaboration with IT and business teams
  • Strategic roadmap development

Head of Data Architecture / Director of Data Platforms

Salary: £95k – £120k
What They Do:
Leads the enterprise-wide data architecture strategy, ensuring alignment with business and data governance needs.

Skills Needed:

  • Departmental leadership and strategy
  • Expertise in enterprise data management
  • Vendor and technology partner management
  • P&L accountability for data platforms
  • Driving data-driven transformation

Chief Data Officer / VP of Data Architecture

Salary: £120k – £150k+
What They Do:
Owns the company’s data architecture vision, ensuring enterprise-wide data integration, security, and scalability for long-term growth.

Skills Needed:

  • Executive-level leadership and enterprise data strategy
  • Experience building global data platforms
  • Expertise in compliance, governance, and security
  • C-suite collaboration and influence
  • Strategic investment planning for data architecture and infrastructure

Our Data, Insight & Analytics recruitment team

  • Lead Senior Recruiter

    Data, Insight & Analytics

    View profile

    Tegan Fenn

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Our latest Data, Insight & Analytics jobs

We connect ambitious organisations with their greatest assets, equally ambitious talent.

Senior Data Engineer – Genomic Data

Purpose Driven

  • Remote
  • Permanent
  • DOE

Full details

Next-gen diagnostics start-up

Take ownership of data strategy and architecture from the ground up.

Flexible, remote-first working with visits to a high-impact biotech lab.

Full details

08th Aug

Data, Insight & Analytics case study

  • Working with a recruitment partner like ADLIB means you’re working with a group of people who get to understand you and match candidates up with your culture and goals. ADLIB worked at a breakneck speed to introduce us to the marketing experts we needed to build our team in a matter of months. With their help we recruited and onboarded a new team much faster than planned and ended up spoilt for choice because of the way they work and market insights.

    World Host Group logo

    Michelle Stark

    CMO

    World Host Group

    VIEW CASE STUDY

  • “From finding me my current role to helping place two fantastic hires, ADLIB has been a pivotal role in the development of our team here at Bristol. The guys are easy to work with, friendly and most importantly inspire trust. I look forward to working with them in the future.”

    LV= logo

    Dr. Venura Perera

    Data Science Manager

    LV=

    VIEW CASE STUDY

Salary guides:

  • -
    Data, Insight and Analytics Within Data Engineering & Development

    Average salaries and day rates for roles within data engineering & development.

    VIEW & DOWNLOAD

  • -
    Data, Insight and Analytics within Data Science

    Average salaries and day rates typically received for Data, Insight and Analytics roles within Data Science.

    VIEW & DOWNLOAD

  • -
    Data, Insight and Analytics Salary Guide

    Average salaries and day rates typically received for Data, Insight and Analytics roles.

    VIEW & DOWNLOAD

  • -
    Data, Insight and Analytics Day Rate Guide

    Average salaries and day rates typically received for Data, Insight and Analytics roles.

    VIEW & DOWNLOAD

COMMUNITIES

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PURPOSE