Lead Data Architect

Tesco Insurance
• Edinburgh - 2 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9FQ
, United Kingdom
• Permanent
• Apply by 01-Mar-2026

Serving our customers, communities, and planet a little better every day.
Salary: Competitive from £66,400 + Annual Bonus & Benefits

Work Level: 2, Permanent role
Location: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Reigate, London or Newcastle
Office Attendance: Our roles are hybrid; however, you need to travel to our office 2 days per week for this role.
Closing Date for applications: 1st March 2026

We're recruiting a Lead Data Architect to join our Technology Function at Tesco Insurance and Money Services, reporting into the Head of Data and AI Services.

As the lead for the data architecture domain at Tesco Insurance and Money Services, you'll be responsible for enabling the delivery of transformational change, impactful business outcomes and unlock exciting opportunities through data.

You'll oversee the delivery of a new data platform, working closely with internal teams, external partners, and key stakeholders. You'll champion the data agenda across Tesco Insurance and Money Services, driving the adoption of modern data standards, architectural patterns, and emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning.

You'll ensure that Data Architects, Solution Architects, and Engineers consistently follow established architecture principles and practices. You'll also provide oversight to ensure third-party services align with our data architecture standards.

As the technical and domain expert for all data designs and architectural components, you'll lead the development and growth of a high-performing data architecture team. Please note this role is known as Data Architect Lead internally.

• Developing a strategic architecture plan: designing, implementing, and evolving robust and effectively aligned architecture solutions that operate in our business ecosystem.
• Ensuring data features are prioritised appropriately, estimates are reliable, benefits realized, and design activities are monitored and tracked to meet the overall architecture plan.
• Documenting complex "as is" and "to be" processes, describing the changes required to migrate to the "to be" capability to record accurately the change required. Including analysis of "As Is" and "To Be".
• Horizon Scanning.
• Developing existing and new data products by analysing and identifying areas for modification and improvements.
• Business Requirements Identification - using data models to support business education, research, requirements, and designs.
• Information Security - Implementing and providing input on the design of required security measures.
• Operational Compliance.
• Development and performance management for a substantial and diverse team.
• Data Management - managing key aspects of the data management system.

• Subject matter expertise in Data Architecture, Data Modelling and Data Management.
• Experience of managing aspects of architecture governance and contributing to data governance.
• Experience of Data & Process Mapping within a regulated organisation.
• Strong data & technical skills (Microsoft Fabric, Power BI preferred).
• Leadership experience.
• Robust understanding of cloud infrastructure.

• Prepare for your retirement with our colleague pension scheme.
• Private Healthcare & Virtual GP Service for you and your family 365 days a year. Plus, Critical Illness cover.
• Performance related annual bonus.
• Indulge in a generous holiday allowance with a minimum of 7.2 weeks, with the opportunity to buy more.
• Embrace the benefits of our Colleague Clubcard, enjoy a 10% discount that increase to 15% every payday (worth up to £2K). As an added perk, we'll give you a second card to share with someone else.
• Green Car Leasing Scheme.
• Benefit from our family-oriented initiatives, encompassing enhanced maternity leave pay, a shared parental leave policy, and a generous 8-week paid paternity leave.
• Take part in our Buy as you Earn and Save as you Earn share schemes.

We want all our colleagues to always feel welcome and be themselves. We're committed to building a more inclusive workplace and celebrating everything that makes…