The ONS operates a flexible hybrid working model across the UK, with colleagues linked to one of our contractual locations working between office and remote throughout the week. The locations for this role are Newport, Titchfield (Fareham), Manchester and London All colleagues on office-based contracts should be working primarily in their contractually allocated site for at least 40% of their working time. The exception to this is for colleagues based at the Manchester office. Due to current capacity constraints, colleagues based there will only be required to attend the office for 20% of their work time. It is expected Manchester will move to 40% in 2025-2026. The induction process for the role will be conducted in person. Job Summary The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, covering a range of key economic, social, and demographic topics. These include measuring changes in the value of the UK economy, estimating the size, geographic distribution, and characteristics of the population, and providing indicators of price inflation, employment, earnings, crime and migration. Data Growth and Operations (DGO) provides the statistical infrastructure (in the broadest sense) and underpinning frameworks necessary to enable the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Government Statistical Service (GSS) and the wider research community to make better use of data. DGO Is Structured Into Three Divisions: Data Architecture, Location and Integration (DALI) ensure that data is organised and referenced so that it can be accessed quickly and used appropriately by the organisation. Data Acquisitions co-ordinates requirements for new data, bringing it into the ONS environment and making it available across the organisation. Data Engineering and Operations (DEOD) prepare data for analytical use and administrate our core data analysis platforms. A data architect sets the vision for the organisation’s use of data, through data design, to meet business needs. Data Architects: Take part in technical and business design authorities in order to approve their vision for data. Work with senior accountable officers and boards to define data strategies and principles. Make sure that systems are designed, upgraded, managed, de-commissioned and archived in compliance with data policy across the full data life cycle. Job Description The purpose of the Senior Data Architect role is to lead the work for ensuring that systems are designed, upgraded, managed, de-commissioned and archived in compliance with data policy across the full data life cycle. This includes complying with the data strategy and providing oversight and advice to other data architects who are undertaking the design of data models and supporting the management of metadata. The Senior Data Architect also provides guidance to other architects (such as Enterprise Architects and Solutions Architects) to make sure that organisation’s systems are designed in accordance with the appropriate data architecture. Responsibilities As a Senior Data Architect, you will play a critical role in leading data architecture contributions to enable and standardise approaches to indexing data in the ONS, designing data and metadata standards for ONS outputs to enable our Content Management System and strategic API to serve the user needs, and supporting the design and delivery of the Enterprise Metadata Management Data Model capability. Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To: Work across stakeholders, including data linkage experts to ensure data architecture plays a key role in the design of ONS indexing. Lead on data architecture contributions to support the design and development of the ONS Content Management System and API. Contribute to the design and delivery of our Enterprise Data Management programme, which includes our Enterprise Data Model, and Enterprise Metadata Management. Participate in cross-government data architecture communities, to help set direction and share your expertise. Champion the work of the DALI division across ONS. Contribute to the ongoing implementation of the ONS data strategy (including data principles, policies and standards) and provide advice to stakeholders on how to comply with the strategy. Line management of a small team one or two data architects or apprentices, and/or matrix management technical work. Play a role in the Data Architecture branch leadership team, particularly supporting the development of technical capabilities of your colleagues. We require a broad range of skills and experience to deliver the whole package of work of the Data Architecture team. We appreciate that some skills can be developed in post, and we will consider applicants with experience outside of traditional data architecture roles if the essential criteria are demonstrated. Training and opportunities will be provided in post to support your career development as a data architect. The purpose of the Senior Data Architect role is to lead the work for ensuring that systems are designed, upgraded, managed, de-commissioned and archived in compliance with data policy across the full data life cycle. This includes complying with the data strategy and providing oversight and advice to other data architects who are undertaking the design of data models and supporting the management of metadata. The Senior Data Architect also provides guidance to other architects (such as Enterprise Architects and Solutions Architects) to make sure that organisation’s systems are designed in accordance with the appropriate data architecture. Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To: Work across stakeholders, including data linkage experts to ensure data architecture plays a key role in the design of ONS indexing. Lead on data architecture contributions to support the design and development of the ONS Content Management System and API. Contribute to the design and delivery of our Enterprise Data Management programme, which includes our Enterprise Data Model, and Enterprise Metadata Management. Participate in cross-government data architecture communities, to help set direction and share your expertise. Champion the work of the DALI division across ONS. Contribute to the ongoing implementation of the ONS data strategy (including data principles, policies and standards) and provide advice to stakeholders on how to comply with the strategy. Line management of a small team one or two data architects or apprentices, and/or matrix management technical work. Play a role in the Data Architecture branch leadership team, particularly supporting the development of technical capabilities of your colleagues. We require a broad range of skills and experience to deliver the whole package of work of the Data Architecture team. We appreciate that some skills can be developed in post, and we will consider applicants with experience outside of traditional data architecture roles if the essential criteria are demonstrated. Training and opportunities will be provided in post to support your career development as a data architect. Person specification Essential Criteria: A firm understanding of the concepts and principles of data modelling and an ability to produce relevant data models across multiple subject areas. An ability to assure and integrate data services to meet multiple business needs. An ability to communicate across a range of technical and business stakeholders, and to interpret between them. Capable of proactive and reactive communication, and an ability to facilitate and engage in difficult discussions with diverse stakeholders. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working Together Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Changing and Improving Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: During the interview process you asked to provide a technical based presentation on Communication between the technical and non-technical (Practitioner). Data Modelling (Practitioner) Alongside your salary of £56,020, Office for National Statistics contributes £16,228 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our valued colleagues across the organisation. Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that our careers site will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture. Inclusion & Accessibility At ONS we are always looking to attract the very best people from the widest possible talent pool, and we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a Disability Confident Leader we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process. As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance. If you would like an accessible version of any of the attachments or recruitment documents below or linked to in this advert, please contact the recruitment team who will be happy to assist. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Security Clearance For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected. If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please read the information available on Gov.uk on this link, or contact the recruitment email on the advert before applying to discuss, as failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn. At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence: Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records) UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency Security Services records Artificial intelligence (AI) software such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot and Gemini are powerful tools that can create and review text in ways that mimic what people can do. These tools can help you enhance your application and prepare for the process, but it is essential you use them appropriately. They must also not be used to provide misleading or false information at any stage of the application journey. It is also important to understand that while AI can help you prepare for an interview, you must not use it to produce responses during an interview. For full guidance in relation to the use of AI through the recruitment process, please click here. Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes. Application Process Number of Stages: 2 stage process Stage 1: Application Stage 2: Interview Stage 1 – Application The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, skills, experience, CV, and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role. If a personal statement is required at application stage, it will state the maximum wordcount allowed, which should not be exceeded. Where it is a requirement to make a personal statement, you should provide evidence for each essential skill criterion listed in the person specification. As these criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples for each one, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process. In instances where a high number of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted, and candidates will be invited to interview based on merit order, i.e., those with the highest scores. Stage 2 – Interview If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours listed in the job advert and any required technical skills. A presentation may be required at interview. Interviews may be in person or via Microsoft Teams. A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. The Sift will be conducted from 26/08/2025 Interviews will be conducted from 08/09/2025 For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact : Name : Government Digital and Data Recruitment Email : Government-Digital-and-Data-Recruitment@ons.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : Government-Digital-and-Data-Recruitment@ons.gov.uk Further information If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact recruitment.complaints@ons.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Location : Week St Mary, England, United Kingdom