About the position
Role Purpose
The Technology Data Architect designs and governs enterprise-grade Azure data platforms, delivering secure, scalable, and high-performance solutions aligned to business and regulatory needs. The role drives data modernisation, analytics, automation, and integration, reporting to the Enterprise Solutions Architect.
Duties Responsibilities
Architect Scalable Data Platforms
- Design and implement Azure-based data solutions (Azure SQL, Synapse, Cosmos DB, Data Lake, Databricks, Dataverse).
- Ensure performance, resilience, cost optimisation, and security.
- Establish conceptual, logical, and physical data models aligned to business domains.
Lead Data Modernisation
- Transform legacy systems into cloud-native architectures.
- Oversee migration strategies, schema conversion, data mapping, and validation.
- Promote adoption of modern analytics and data services.
Data Governance Compliance
- Define and enforce standards for data lifecycle management.
- Ensure compliance with POPIA, GDPR, and internal governance frameworks.
- Support metadata management, lineage tracking, cataloguing, and sensitive data monitoring.
Enable Analytics Business Intelligence
- Deliver integrated analytics solutions using Power BI, Azure Analysis Services, and Azure Machine Learning.
- Support semantic modelling and KPI standardisation.
- Collaborate with business units to deliver actionable insights.
Application Integration Automation
- Provide architectural guidance for data-driven applications.
- Enable integration across Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Dynamics 365.
- Implement CI/CD, Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform), and automated data pipelines (ADF, Power Automate).
Data Quality Observability
- Implement data quality frameworks and monitoring standards.
- Leverage Azure Monitor, Purview, and related tools to ensure lineage, reliability, and performance.
Leadership Collaboration
- Work across architecture, engineering, and business teams.
- Participate in governance forums and steering committees.
- Mentor junior architects and promote continuous learning.
Qualifications
- Relevant 3–4 year IT or Business qualification (BCom, BSc, or equivalent)
- Relevant Microsoft/Azure certifications advantageous
Experience
- 7+ years of enterprise data architecture experience
- Proven delivery of large-scale data platforms (cloud and hybrid)
- 5+ years insurance industry experience
Strong expertise in:
- Azure data services (SQL, Synapse, Cosmos DB, Data Lake, Data Factory)
- Data modelling (dimensional, star/snowflake schemas, semantic layers)
- Data governance, MDM, quality, and observability frameworks
- Power BI and automation tools
- Cloud security and compliance (POPIA, GDPR)
- DevOps, CI/CD, Infrastructure-as-Code
Competencies
Interpreting data: Applies strong analytical and technical expertise to design robust data models, evaluate quality, assess performance, and make sound architectural decisions.
Examining information: Analyses complex data environments, integrations, and risks; solves architectural and migration challenges methodically.
Upholding standards: Ensures compliance, security, governance, and architectural discipline across data platforms (critical in insurance and regulated environments).
Convincing people: Influences engineers, architects, and business stakeholders to adopt standards, modern platforms, and best practices.
Embracing change: Drives cloud modernisation and transformation initiatives; adapts architecture to evolving technologies and regulatory requirements.
Desired Skills:
- Systems Analysis
- Complex Problem Solving
- Programming/configuration
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
