Principal Data Architect

Helping over ten million people around the world manage their savings, retirement plans and life insurance requires a lot of people behind the scenes.  It’s up to us in L&G Group functions – which includes our tech and digital teams, Group Finance, HR, Risk and Corporate Affairs – to provide the essential support services that all areas of the business need, here in the UK and overseas. Simply put, we enable everyone at Legal & General to do what they do best. That means we’re helping to improve our customers’ lives and contributing to the success of the business every day.  

We have an exciting new opportunity for a seasoned Data Architect who will lead the practice of data and information architecture within Group.

The role holder will focus on putting in place the right processes, assets and governance to ensure the effective management of data within Group and across the Enterprise, to be used in the coherent design of our data and information systems with a particular emphasis on ensuring we have a data architecture governance model.

The successful applicant will champion and embed best practice data architecture approaches across L&G building out the artefact catalogue and designing and embedding the required controls for the new data architecture standard.

What you'll be doing:

• Champion the role of data and information architecture within Group and more broadly the Enterprise, effectively communicating to a range of stakeholders up to director level and persuade them of the value the capability can bring.
• Drive the definition and adoption of architectural standards, patterns, policies and data governance processes across Group Data and then the wider Enterprise.
• Design and embed repeatable and auditable controls to satisfy the new Data Architecture standard.
• Define and lead on data architecture within Group Data to translate business requirements into conceptual and logical data models and ensure delivery of solutions which achieve adherence to the required data architecture standards.
• Deliver high quality data architecture artefacts that are usable by target stakeholders, ensuring they clearly explain the solution and decisions behind them.
• Work with Senior management including other Principal Architects to define IT strategy, roadmaps and any lower-level solution design, providing best practice data architecture guidance and support.
• Collaborate across IT disciplines both within Group Data and across the whole of L&G to align data solutions, reduce risk, and deliver shareholder value.
• Ensure approach to and work delivered supports L&G’s Consumer duty Commitments to ensure the right outcome and excellent service delivery
• To take the lead in all matters with regard to the management of employees, ensuring that management discretion is used in a consistent manner and that the area follows the Group’s policies and procedures including the Partnership Agreement to maximise business performance.
   

Who we're looking for:

• TOGAF or similar certification is desirable, along with a related degree or demonstrable equivalent experience 
• Demonstrable knowledge of design and architectural patterns.
• Proficient in data management concepts, practices and procedures Data governance, Data modelling techniques, Data platform market (both operational and analytical) and Data warehousing
• Knowledge of at least one of the following: Finance, Customer data and Master Data Management 
• Mandatory experience Data architecture across large projects 
• Working closely with development teams, data governance and regulatory teams to realise solutions Experience of waterfall and agile delivery paradigms
• Ability to develop, and project a positive image of the Data function and company through interpersonal, written and verbal communications to a wide range of audiences, building successful working relationships and networks 
• Previous experience as a Principal Architect, leading and mentoring more junior members of the team 
• Thought leader on Data Architecture, able to paint a compelling image of the future IT capability and its desirability

Whatever your role, we reward performance and behaviour with a package that looks after all the things that are important to you. Here are some of the benefits we offer: 

• The opportunity to participate in our annual, performance-related bonus plan and valuable share schemes  
• Generous pension contribution  
• Life assurance   
• Private medical insurance (permanent employees only) 
• At least 25 days holiday, plus public holidays, 26 days after 2 years’ service. There’s also the option to buy and sell holiday 
• Competitive family leave 
• Participate in our electric car scheme, which offers employees the option to hire a brand-new electric car through tax efficient salary sacrifice 
• There are the many discounts we offer – both for our own products and at a range of high street stores and online   
• In 2023, some of our workspaces were redesigned. Our offices are great spaces to connect and collaborate and have your wellbeing at the heart

Legal & General is a leading financial services organisation, named Britain’s Most Admired Company in 2023, for the second year running. Rated top in our sector and top for inspirational leadership, we have a strong heritage and an exciting future.  

We’re one of the world's largest asset managers, homebuilders, pension providers and insurers. Connecting to form a unique business model which drives value for our customers and society. And enabling our people to create impact through work that is meaningful and valued.  

If you join us, you’ll be part of a welcoming, inclusive culture, with opportunities to collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds, views, and experiences. Guided by leaders with integrity who care about your future and wellbeing. Empowered through initiatives which support people to develop their careers and excel.  

We strive to be open, mindful, and inclusive, so are always willing to discussing flexible working arrangements and reasonable accommodations for candidates with specific needs. It doesn’t matter if you don’t meet every single criterion in this advert. Instead, think about what you excel at and what else you can bring in terms of strengths, potential and connection to our purpose. 

If you’re open to find out more, we'd love to hear from you.