Data Architect (Metadata) - DESNZ - SEO

Location

Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford

About the job

Job summary

DESNZ

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work at the forefront of current policy making decisions? Do you want to have an impact on the UK and beyond? If yes, then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.     

Here at DESNZ we are delivering our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower, with clean electricity by 2030 and accelerating the UK’s journey to net zero. Our work is helping ensure clean energy for all, keep bills down and seize the opportunities to lead the world in new green industries, taking back control of our energy with Great British Energy and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference.   

Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it's impactful. Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are bold, we are collaborative, we are inclusive, and we learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive 

We offer great working benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.  

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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy. 

Find Out More 

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://forms.office.com/e/pqUhdr3L72  

You can also follow our LinkedIn Careers Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/desnz-careers/ 

Job description

We’re looking for a Data Architect (Metadata) to support the development and rollout of the DESNZ data catalogue using Microsoft Purview. This role sits within the Central Data Architecture team in the Central Data Office and is key to delivering the department’s Data Improvement Plan.

You’ll be responsible for metadata, data, glossary, and policy management to build, populate, and maintain the data catalogue. The goal is to improve data discovery, classification, governance, compliance, and reuse across DESNZ. This includes alignment with the central government data catalogue vocabulary and aspirations. You will also support DESNZ data architecture is running its governance processes and developments in the space of Master and Reference data management.

This work supports our broader mission to enable better data-driven decisions, support continuous improvement, and enable reporting on the path to Net Zero.

Person specification

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development, population, and embedding of the DESNZ data catalogue to democratise data across the department and streamline discovery of the data.
• Collaborate with various teams across Central Data Office, ICS Digital, Analysis Directorate and other functions to ensure the data catalogue meets the needs of all users.
• Design and maintain standardised metadata repositories to accurately document data usage activities across systems. Develop automated tools and dashboards to enhance visibility and support compliance, collaborating with data owners and managers to keep metadata up to date. 
• Embed comprehensive data management information into the departmental data catalogue to ensure transparency and accessibility for all users. Support informed and compliant data use by making data management practices easily discoverable across the department.
• Enhance data management practices in DESNZ by analysing current processes and recommending improvements. Promote a positive culture continuous improvement.
• Support business areas in tidying up their data estate and moving their data into approved data storage platforms.
• Act as a representative of the Central Data Office across the department, advocating for enhanced data architecture and governance practices. Champion data management as a core part of business-as-usual activities to ensure sustained data quality and compliance.
• Support DESNZ Data Architecture in maturing Master and Reference data capabilities, and overseeing architectural governance processes.
• Collaborate across government to embed best practices on data cataloguing, leveraging CDAT’s data catalogue vocabulary and the National Data Library, knowledge sharing.
• Work independently (but with support from a Senior Data Architect) to drive own workstream with support from existing Data Architecture, Data Governance and IT teams.

Essential Criteria:

• Expertise in metadata management, including designing and implementing metadata standards, organising and maintaining comprehensive data catalogues, and ensuring accurate, up-to-date documentation to support data discovery, governance, and cross-team collaboration across complex organisations.
• Experience in developing data catalogues or repositories using a range of technologies, such as MS Purview, Informatica, Collibra, AWS Glue Data Catalog.
• Strong understanding of data governance and data management principles to ensure compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and best practices for maintaining data quality, security, and accessibility.
• Strong SQL or Python proficiency for extracting, querying, and manipulating data from databases.
• Experience proactively managing own workstream, persuading and influencing colleagues to adopt recommended approaches.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, particularly acting as a translator between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria:

• Cloud computing tools for managing data in cloud environments.
• Data visualization skills to present data in an understandable format.
• Associate Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) with the Data Management Association (DAMA), or equivalent.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Metadata management
• Data Modelling
• Communicating between technical and non-technical
• Data Governance (data architect)

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Metadata management