Enterprise Data Architect - ESO

About the role

This is the time for action – we need to move at pace and reform our energy system – to deliver energy security, to tackle climate change and to protect our people. 
 

ESO is on a transformative journey to become a truly digital business. We are transforming the way we operate, adopting a customer-centric product model, shifting our culture to one that’s open, innovative, and team-driven. We’re deploying marketing leading, bleeding edge technologies to achieve net-zero operability by 2025.

To help support and enable our product teams to deliver world leading transformation projects securely, we’re looking for an Enterprise Data Architect who can develop and maintain our data architecture, whilst developing and delivering our Digitalisation and Data Strategy.

The role will work with both the Data as well as the Strategy and Architecture functions to define a data architecture not only for a new independent organisation, but also one fit for our transformative future. 

This role can be based from Wokingham or Warwick, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.

About us

As Great Britain’s electricity system operator (ESO), we sit at the heart of the electricity system, using our outstanding engineering and commercial expertise to balance electricity supply and demand. Ultimately, we keep the electricity flowing directly to where it’s needed, second by second.
 

Becoming the National Energy System Operator
In Summer of 2024, the ESO will transition to becoming the National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator will be the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system. 
 
The ESO, including all of its existing roles, will be at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them. 
 
The organisation will be set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As the ESO are today, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all. 
 

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

Key Accountabilities

• Development of data architecture in line with digital, data and security policies and strategy
• Support development of the wider Digital, Data & Technology strategy to enable separation of the business into an independent organisation
• Defining the transition approach from existing to new architectures, developing a portfolio wide view
• Working in partnership with Enterprise Architecture, Solution Engineering and Operational Service Management to ensure the successful delivery of customer-centric outcomes
• Supporting the data strategy and objectives
• Support the roles of data governance, quality and management helping to define and delivery new policies and tools
• Collaborating with peers across the portfolio to manage dependencies, priorities, integrations and change impacts on people, processes and/or technology  
• Reporting key performance indicators and taking action to drive continuous improvement across Digital Platforms and Infrastructure Technology  
• Support the delivery of the Data Platform and supporting technologies 
• Develop and maintain views of emerging technology opportunities including how we delivery AI operationally

About you

The successful candidate will have tangible experience of a background in Data Solutions Architecture and can demonstrate setting of architecture direction for data at solution level.  Additional domain experience such as Utilities, Infrastructure, Networks, Information or Application is an advantage. 

• Solid, proven background in Data Architecture
  • Additional domain experience beneficial, e.g. Utilities (e.g. SCADA data), Infrastructure, Networks, Information or Application is an advantage
• Strong understanding of data modelling, data integration, and data warehousing, as well as experience with database design and architecture
• Strong experience in defining and delivering enterprise scale data strategies covering both technical and data governance aspects
• Experience in delivering or developing data strategies and solutions for cloud environments, particularly Microsoft Azure
• Experience working in a high-assurance environment, e.g. CNI, Government, finance
• A strong experience of using architecture frameworks (e.g. Zachman, TOGAF, SABSA) would be beneficial
   

Desired Capabilities

• Demonstrable experience and a proven track record in an architecture leadership role, or relevant architecture experience with an ambition to progress into a leadership role
• Skills in database management systems, ETL tools, and data visualization tools
• Ability to rapidly learn deeply technical subjects related to data, and an ability to keep abreast of the criticality of data, high-impact environments
• Strong customer engagement and stakeholder management experience
• Good communication skills with demonstrated ability to navigate a complex organization and generate buy-in for ideas and plans
• Experience and understanding of what it takes to operationalise and actualise strategies
   

What you’ll get

A competitive salary between £60,000 – 85,000 – dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a company car or allowance, a bonus of up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance, private medical insurance, 28 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. 

You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and professional success. From a competitive salary to flexible work arrangements, we promote your work-life balance. Enjoy fit for purpose wellbeing and lifestyle offerings, ongoing skill development aligned to our Purpose and Values, and be part of a supportive community that values your individuality and where you can belong.
 

More information

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. 
 

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.
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