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About the Role

The effective use of data is critical to delivering The Open University’s strategic goals. Reporting to the Lead Data Architect within the Digital Services Unit, this role serves as a cornerstone of the University’s architecture function, ensuring that data-driven solutions and programs meet business needs and align with the broader institutional strategy. This position requires working across departments to ensure consistency in data architecture, while promoting collaboration within a complex organisational environment.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Producing key data architecture documentation, including conceptual and logical models, and managing the master data matrix, which captures and aligns key business data assets across applications.
Providing oversight and ensuring alignment across data artefacts and processes developed by various analytics teams within the University.
Conducting data analysis to inform design decisions, enabling data mapping and lineage documentation that align with broader data models.
Contributing to the development of the University’s data strategy, along with policies, principles, and standards to drive consistent data management practices.
Supporting the Lead and Senior Data Architects in developing and managing the Common Data Model to facilitate integration. This includes creating and reviewing logical data models to meet analytical needs.
Maintaining standards for logical model development and governing project-based model production. Ensuring the flexibility and extensibility of data structures to accommodate current and future needs, including incorporation into an overall corporate logical model.
Providing expert guidance on data modelling, integrations, and migrations for development projects and business areas, ensuring adherence to data principles and standards through participation in governance groups such as the Technical Design Authority and Web Service Governance.
Actively contributing to the Design and Architecture Community of Practice by sharing insights and offering leadership in data design. Researching emerging data technologies and approaches to support Digital Services’ goals and commitments.

About You

Essential Criteria:
You must demonstrate:

Strong expertise in conceptual and logical data modelling across relational and dimensional formats (e.g., Inmon/Kimball), applied to both operational and analytical applications.
Practical experience with master data management, metadata management, and best-practice integration techniques.
Knowledge of relational database management systems (RDBMS), NoSQL technologies, and analytics-related data design. Understanding of data design in the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
A foundation in system development, with a strong grasp of the end-to-end software development lifecycle and project management methodologies. You should be adept at providing actionable advice and influencing projects to achieve desired outcomes.
Knowledge and experience in developing and applying IT design and delivery standards, particularly with technologies and tools for large-scale web applications and Agile development.
Excellent communication skills to engage with both business stakeholders and technical subject matter experts (SMEs).
The ability to map, visualise, and conceive the overarching data landscape, including systems and interfaces used for data management.
A proven track record of success working within an architecture function and applying technology to solve complex business challenges.
Knowledge of service-oriented architectures (e.g., SOAP, REST) and experience with technical integration platforms.

Desirable Criteria:

TOGAF certification and experience as a Data Architect.
Experience working in large and complex organisational environments.
Familiarity with the Higher Education data domain.

Support for the Application Process

If you have questions or require support (including reasonable adjustments for a disability) during the application process or role, please contact the recruitment team on 01908 541111 or at [email protected], providing the advert reference number.

Why Work for The Open University?

The Open University offers a comprehensive range of benefits to recognise and reward employee contributions, including flexible working arrangements aimed at fostering a better work-life balance. Discover more about our benefits by visiting our Staff Benefits page (link opens a new window).

Flexible Working
We are committed to discussions around flexible working arrangements, including part-time roles, compressed hours, job sharing, or other tailored solutions. Please let us know what setup works best for your needs.

While this role supports a hybrid working model, enabling work from home and the office, some attendance at our Milton Keynes office will be required. On average, office attendance would align with business needs, approximately once per week, but this could vary.

Recruitment Timeline

We anticipate conducting online interviews for this role via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 23 March 2026.

Early Closing Notification

While all roles remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed during the recruitment window. If sufficient suitable applications are received, the vacancy may close earlier, but equality and fairness will be fully considered. Roles will remain open for at least one week before early closure. If you were mid-application when the vacancy closed, please contact us for further guidance or support.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following documents:

CV
Personal Statement—This should be no longer than 1,000 words and detail your interest in the role as well as specific examples of how your skills and experience align with the essential criteria outlined in the job description.

Submit your application by logging into our recruitment portal, where you can monitor your progress and access communications. Please also check your spam/junk folders for any email updates related to your application.

At The Open University, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, placing emphasis on creating a welcoming environment for all. We value the varied perspectives, knowledge, and cultures that diversity brings and strive to empower everyone in our community to reach their full potential. All underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Join us and help shape an inclusive and supportive working environment.

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EdTech Job – Data Architect at The Open University

Location: Milton Keynes (Remote/Hybrid)