Data/Information Architect

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Data/Information Architect

Permanent

Manchester: £65,000 - £75,660

Milton Keynes: £67,696 - £78,780

AQA has an opportunity for an Information/Data Architect to join our growing team in either Manchester or Milton Keynes.

This is an exciting opportunity to deliver an information architecture service and approach that positively enables and evolves the information technology landscape across AQA education with initiatives that develop and grow information / data architecture related capabilities and services.

As the Data/Information Architect you will operate within the Enterprise Architecture team working closely with the Enterprise Architect. You will drive and support the delivery of information architecture and related design activity in support of key programmes shaping and guiding such delivery in partnership with Enterprise, Solution and Information Architects.

What’s in it for me?

• A 35 hour working week with 25 days annual leave, rising with service, with bank holidays and extra closure days around Christmas on top
• An excellent contributory pension which could see up to 18.5% combined contribution
• Private Medical Insurance and a Health Care Cash Reward Plan
• A new Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme
• Up to 5 days for volunteering
• Newly refurbished offices with a variety of individual and collaborative workspaces

Desirable Experience

• Proven information / data architect with a strong track record of related IT expertise and delivery across a number of practices within the IT industry.
• Expert understanding of information / data modelling and design, together with familiarity with other relevant architectural methods
• Possess a broad understanding of, and experience in working within programme and project management methodologies and governance
• Experience of operating with and within hybrid support functions - internal and external / 3rd party organisations
• Responsive to short-term challenges / priorities whilst holding to clear strategy and direction
• Ability to frame information / data architecture trends and opportunities within AQA’s strategic objectives
• Conversant with and able to navigate major corporate structures including regulatory environment, financial management and budgeting, programme / project delivery and information security and risk management practices

How do I apply?

Please follow the link provided.

All applications will be responded to.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary

Purpose:
In your role as Information Architect you will operate within the (Enterprise Technology) Enterprise Architecture team working closely with the Enterprise Architect. You lead on the delivery of Information Architecture services, shaping and guiding such delivery in partnership with architects across the Enterprise Architecture team.
You will provide information architecture consultancy support to colleagues and business stakeholders, providing effective and pragmatic advice, guidance, direction and architectural liaison between technology and business stakeholders shaping and guiding information architecture delivery to underpin the delivery of proportionate and effective solution architectures that meet desired business outcomes.
You will deliver an information architecture service and approach that positively enables and evolves the information technology landscape across both Enterprise and Assessment technology areas of the business,
promoting and developing architectural initiatives that develop and grow information / data architecture related capabilities and services providing robust information architecture monitoring and compliance assurance.
You will support the delivery of effective architectural strategies within Enterprise Technology that promote proportionate and effective solutions and will engage with key internal stakeholders across Assessment Technology and (where appropriate) wider group entities to support alignment of approaches,
You will maintain and apply high levels of architectural expertise in the production of architectural designs and approaches ensuring attainment of business objectives whilst balancing deliverability, architectural principles and alignment to the wider AQA strategy and objectives.
You will establish, lead on and champion coherent corporate wide information / data architecture model(s) and standards where appropriate taking ownership of and resolving (or escalating) related issues or concerns you identify.
You will support the design, implementation and delivery of technology solutions to address business requirements guiding, supporting and liaising between technology / business stakeholders, peers and colleagues both within the team and across the wider business.
You will maintain and apply a high level of design knowledge in the production of information architecture designs and solutions and demonstrate appropriately commensurate levels of technology knowledge and broader solution architecture expertise across other related architectural areas.Landscape:
The Enterprise Technology Division sits within the Corporate Services Division enabling the centralised delivery of core corporate services. In addition, Enterprise Technology operates in close partnership with Assessment Technology and Programme Management collectively delivering the full IT service portfolio of current operations to future change programmes.
Enterprise Technology consists of the following functions:
Service Delivery
Enterprise IT Services (Core IT Delivery teams - desktop, systems & infrastructure)
Enterprise Applications
Architecture & Security
Architecture & Security consists of:
Architecture (including Enterprise oversight)
Security & Risk
Security Operations (including Security Operations Centre)
Data Protection & Compliance
The Architecture team compromises of 5 team members delivering into the roles of:
Enterprise Architect
Information Architect
Solution Architect(s)
Due to the nature of the role and function, stakeholder engagement with colleagues / teams within other AQA UK locations may be required.
Key relationships
Key internal (AQA Education and AQA Milton Keynes) relationships
Enterprise Technology functions
AQA Assessment Technology architecture and development teams
AQA Education business functions
Key external relationships
Third party technology providers
Relevant third-party providers
Other teams within the AQA Group (e.g. AlphaPlus and Doublestruck)
Activities:
To develop and take the lead in the area of Information Architecture, supporting colleagues in delivery across the areas of Solution and Domain Architecture in the fulfilment of business requirements and delivery of Enterprise Technology priorities.
Develop, take ownership of and maintain Information Architecture policies, procedures, guidance and standards. Where appropriate input into and guide the delivery and evolution of other architectural policies, procedures, guidance and standards that make up the Enterprise Architecture management system evolving them in line with business drivers and goals to establish robust yet flexible and adaptive controls.
Work alongside the Enterprise Architect in refreshing, implementing and maintaining the AQA technology strategy, leading on the delivery and maintenance of Information Architecture aspects of the strategy and supporting other specific areas as required. Also working with the business to help define and direct the wider business information/data strategies and ensure alignment with the technology strategy.
Active participation and contribution into architectural community, forums, and design authorities.
Directly contribute to the definition and verification of adherence to technical standards covering areas such as Data/Information, Processing, Storage and Network architectures etc.
Work with and support business stakeholders and Enterprise Technology colleagues in the design and delivery of appropriately scoped architectural solutions ensuring that what is proposed satisfies quality, cost and time criteria and is in line with current architectural standards.
Undertake purposeful 'horizon scanning' ensuring that AQA is positioned well to be able to benefit from emerging technologies, architectures and standards.
Support the evolution of the IT strategy and the review of technology roadmaps and associated systems life cycles to ensure that AQA is able to identify technology opportunities and manage technology and architecture related risks effectively.
Review all systems solutions implemented across Enterprise and Assessment Technology areas of the business to ensure compliance with related Information Architectural policies, quantifying and proposing mitigations to any risks identified through effective participation in a ‘design control’ governance function.
Ensure information architecture and related standards maintained by the architecture team are fully compliant with all statutory and regulatory legislation.
Develop and maintain an information architecture systems catalogue of all systems, their interdependencies, technical profiles and their position in the estate.
Develop and maintain of high levels of information architecture expertise to support good architectural design. Ensure aspects such as alignment with information architecture strategy, integration with existing systems and the support of business processes through the delivery of key information architecture principles are key areas of focus in any designs.
Support fellow Enterprise Technology team members with relevant transformational activities, collaborating with team members to engage their motivation and engagement.
Support collaboration with programme and project management functions and the delivery of product and service roadmaps, identifying and advising on cross project / portfolio information architecture dependencies including recommendations to address such items.
Drive professional development and actively facilitate cross skilling.
Ensure full compliance with all AQA policies and other legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE / Equal Opportunities / Information & Cyber Security / Data Protection related legislation and policies.
Where business needs dictate to undertake other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level and may be outside the terms of this role profile.
To be successful in this role, you will need to know:
Proven information / data architect with a strong track record of related IT expertise and delivery across a number of practices within the IT industry.
Expert working knowledge and understanding of Information modelling and design frameworks and a broader familiarity with the application of such frameworks across Enterprise Applications frameworks, Service Oriented Architecture, Enterprise architecture, Physical Infrastructure deployment models and Architecture / design frameworks such as TOGAF, ZACHMAN etc
Experience of enterprise class organisations with cloud / mixed IT footprints and related modernisation of corporate architecture and application of appropriate governance
Possess a broad understanding of and experience in working within programme and project management methodologies and governance
Experience of operating with and within hybrid support functions - internal and external / 3rd party organisations
Responsive to short-term challenges / priorities whilst holding to clear strategy and direction
Direct experience of working and communicating effectively with peers, sponsors and business stakeholders at all levels both organisationally and across large scale programmes / IT developments
Organises, plans and designs effectively whilst retaining focus on the bigger picture
Ability to frame information / data architecture trends and opportunities within AQA’s strategic objectives
Proven expertise in identifying and improving high level processes and ways of working
Aptitude for sharing and embedding best practice
Skills to build rapport and influence across a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders
Conversant with and able to navigate major corporate structures including regulatory environment, financial management and budgeting, programme / project delivery and information security and risk management practices
Excellent delivery credentials, with a flexible, pragmatic “can do” attitude and a resilient ability to deliver rapid and effective solutions within a dynamic environment