Data Architect – Specialty Insurance

Contract: 6 months initial
Rate: Up to £650 per day
IR35: Inside IR35
Working Model: Hybrid, initially 2 days per week in the office

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Data Architect to take end-to-end ownership of the data architecture for a major cloud data platform within the specialty insurance market.
This is a senior, hands-on architecture position responsible for defining the target-state data architecture, modelling approach, integration patterns, migration strategy and governance standards across the platform.
You will be expected to set the architectural standards rather than simply work within an existing framework. You will act as the key authority when decisions around data modelling, platform design or integration are challenged, while remaining technically hands-on with Snowflake and SQL.
The successful candidate must combine strong architecture capabilities with current or very recent experience within London Market insurance, Lloyd's, MGA or reinsurance environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end data architecture for a cloud-based data platform.
• Define and maintain target-state data models and architectural standards.
• Lead the implementation and evolution of Data Vault 2.0 within Snowflake.
• Architect dimensional and consumption layers sitting above the Data Vault.
• Define integration patterns across source systems, the data platform and downstream consumers.
• Own the architectural approach to data migration from legacy environments into the cloud platform.
• Establish standards covering data governance, classification, retention and regulatory compliance.
• Provide architectural leadership and resolve contested modelling and platform-design decisions.
• Work directly with stakeholders across underwriting, claims, finance and wider business functions to translate business requirements into scalable data solutions.
• Remain hands-on where required, particularly across Snowflake, SQL and data modelling.
• Ensure the architecture is scalable, governed and aligned with the long-term technology strategy.

Essential Experience

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Current or very recent specialty insurance experience, ideally within the London Market, Lloyd's syndicates, MGAs or reinsurance.
• Proven experience designing, implementing and operating Data Vault 2.0 within Snowflake.
• Strong experience designing the dimensional / consumption layer on top of a Data Vault architecture.
• Experience taking a cloud data platform from initial design through migration and implementation, rather than solely maintaining an established platform.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of Snowflake and SQL.
• Experience defining data architecture and modelling standards at enterprise or platform level.
• Strong understanding of data governance, classification, retention and GDPR within a regulated environment.
• Ability to engage directly with senior business stakeholders and challenge requirements where appropriate.
• Experience translating requirements from functions such as underwriting, claims and finance into data architecture and platform decisions.

Desirable Experience

Exposure to some of the following would be advantageous:

• dbt
• Fivetran
• Kafka
• AWS
• Data catalogue and governance tooling
• Master Data Management (MDM)

Candidate Profile

This role would suit an established Data Architect who is comfortable being the technical authority for data architecture within a complex transformation programme.
You should be equally comfortable discussing requirements with an underwriting or finance stakeholder as you are challenging a technical team on the correct Data Vault modelling or integration approach.
This is not purely a high-level architecture role. The successful candidate will need to maintain enough hands-on capability to work effectively within Snowflake and SQL and provide technical direction based on practical experience.