Data Architect - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

About the role

British Transport Police have an exciting opportunity for a Data Architect to provide key and crucial support to our Digital, Data and Technology strategy on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract. In this role, you will design and maintain secure, scalable, and compliant data architectures that support both operational policing and strategic decision‑making. You will also play a key part in an exciting data transformation project, implementing an integrated data analytics layer within Azure to improve how data is accessed, analysed and shared across the organisation. Working closely with the Chief Data Officer, analysts, operational teams and technology colleagues, you’ll help shape how data is integrated, governed and used across BTP, drawing on Microsoft 365, Azure and Google Cloud technologies. This is a high‑impact role at the heart of a national policing organisation, where your work will directly support the protection of critical transport infrastructure and the public we serve.

Responsibilities

• Designing and developing end‑to‑end data architectures that integrate Microsoft 365 tools (including SharePoint, Power BI, Power Automate and Teams) with legacy systems and cloud platforms such as Azure and GCP.
• Setting and assuring data architecture standards, including data models, metadata, storage, sharing and publishing approaches to maximise the value of BTP’s data assets.
• Providing expert advice, assurance and governance across data and solution architecture, ensuring solutions are secure by design and compliant with GDPR, law enforcement data handling standards and national policing frameworks.
• Working collaboratively with operational units, analysts, digital teams and third‑party suppliers to translate business and operational data requirements into robust, scalable technical solutions, supporting innovation through automation, AI and advanced analytics where appropriate.

Requirements

• Educated to degree level in an IT, data or engineering discipline (or equivalent professional experience).
• Extensive experience planning and leading complex data architecture initiatives, including integration across multi‑cloud environments (Azure and GCP) and Microsoft 365 platforms.
• Strong expertise in data modelling, data management and master data processes, including designing scalable data models, data lakes and enterprise data structures.
• In‑depth knowledge of data governance, security and compliance, including GDPR, UK data protection legislation and law‑enforcement data handling standards, with the ability to influence stakeholders and communicate complex technical concepts clearly at all levels.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
• Family-friendly policies, including up to 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave.
• Bespoke benefits platform and Blue Light Card access.
• Salary sacrifice options for cycles, home technology, gym membership, and electric vehicles.
• Interest-free annual rail season ticket loan after 6 months.
• Access to the Transport Benevolent Fund for health, welfare, and financial support.
• Development opportunities, including fully funded apprenticeships.
• Excellent Pension scheme: We offer the BTP GPP Police Staff Pension Scheme, administered by Royal London. This group personal pension plan is available to all police staff and is a defined contribution scheme. It provides the flexibility to vary your pension contributions from 4.4% to 12% of your salary. For more information, visit the Royal London dedicated pension page or email us at Pension-Queries@btp.police.uk. Note: If you are an existing member of Police Staff in the RPS, your pension will not be affected.

Pay and schedule

Salary: Up to £79,974.59 per annum (Up to £65,110.98 basic salary, depending on experience, plus a Skills Framework of the Information Age Allowance of £10250.00 and £4613.61 London Allowance, for London based candidates only). Contract Type: 12 months FTC. Location: To be based at one our main hubs London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds or Glasgow. Working Arrangement: Blended approach of home and office-working is available. Hours: This is full-time role (37 hours per week).