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Data Architect

00069503131

Role: Data Architect

Location: Burgess Hill/Brighton (3 days in a week)

Employment: Fulltime

Financial Service / Financial Markets / Enterprise Data Architecture

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Data Architect to join a large-scale financial services transformation project. The successful candidate will play a critical role in understanding, documenting, and architecting enterprise data structures across both traditional relational database platforms and modern distributed NoSQL environments.

This role requires strong expertise in designing data models for OLTP systems, understanding different architectural patterns, and enterprise/domain modeling. The candidate must have the ability to work closely with business and technology stakeholders to define scalable, resilient, and well-governed data solutions for complex financial systems. Familiarity with Wide Column Database technologies such as Cassandra and distributed databases such as YugabyteDB or Google Cloud Spanner will be an advantage.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical knowledge with excellent communication and presentation skills and has prior experience working within financial markets, banking, or capital markets environments.

Key Responsibilities

  • Understand, analyze, and document existing and target-state data architectures for large financial systems.
  • Collaborate with business stakeholders, architects, application teams, and engineering leads to define enterprise data models and integration patterns.
  • Develop and maintain:
    • Domain models
    • Conceptual data models
    • Logical data models
    • Physical data models
  • Design scalable and high-performance database solutions across:
    • Relational databases (Oracle, PostgreSQL)
    • Distributed NoSQL platforms (Cassandra, YugabyteDB)
  • Support enterprise-wide data strategy initiatives and contribute to architecture governance reviews.
  • Produce architecture documentation, presentations, and technical artifacts for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Assess current-state systems and recommend modernization or optimization opportunities.
  • Work closely with development and infrastructure teams to ensure implementation aligns with architectural guidelines.
  • Participate in data migration, integration, and transformation planning activities.
  • Support performance, scalability, resiliency, and disaster recovery considerations within data architecture designs.

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Skills

Data Architecture & Modeling

  • Strong experience in data architecture and enterprise data modelling.
  • Expertise in:
    • Domain-Driven Design (DDD)
    • CQRS implementation
  • Experience creating:
    • Domain models
    • Conceptual data models
    • Logical data models
    • Physical data models

NoSQL & Distributed Databases

  • Strong hands-on experience with NoSQL and distributed database design.
  • Experience with:
    • Cassandra
    • YugabyteDB

Relational Databases

  • Deep expertise in relational database design and modelling.
  • Strong experience with:
    • Oracle
    • PostgreSQL

Data Design Principles

  • Strong understanding of:
    • Data normalization and denormalization
    • Distributed data design
    • Enterprise data governance principles
    • Enterprise integration architecture

Data Modelling Tools

  • Hands-on experience with data modelling tools such as:
    • ER/Studio (preferred)
    • Hackolade (preferred)

Cloud Technologies

  • Familiarity with cloud and hybrid data architectures.

Functional / Domain Experience

Experience working within:

  • Financial Services
  • Capital Markets
  • Investment Banking
  • Trading Platforms
  • Risk and Regulatory environments

Preferred:

  • Strong understanding of financial data domains and transactional systems.

Communication & Soft Skills

  • Excellent English communication skills (written and verbal).
  • Strong presentation and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
  • Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both business and technical audiences.
  • Strong analytical and documentation skills.
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced enterprise environment.
  • Collaborative mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Experience working on large enterprise transformation programs.
  • Exposure to data governance and enterprise architecture frameworks.
  • Financial industry certifications or architecture certifications are advantageous.

Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate:

  • Is a hands-on Enterprise Data Architect.
  • Is comfortable working across both legacy and modern database ecosystems.
  • Has experience in large-scale financial services environments.
  • Demonstrates strong stakeholder communication and architecture documentation skills.
  • Can successfully bridge business requirements with scalable technical data solutions.

Industry : Financial Services / Capital Markets / Banking

Databases: Oracle, PostgreSQL, Cassandra, YugabyteDB
Modelling: Domain-Driven Design (DDD), CQRS, ER/Studio, Hackolade
Architecture: Enterprise Data Architecture, Data Governance, Data Integration
Industry Domain: Financial Markets, Capital Markets, Investment Banking, Trading Platforms, Risk & Regulatory Systems

About Cognizant: 
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.

Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Benefits that help you thrive and grow

Our benefits program is built with you in mind—so you can enjoy a fulfilling, balanced and healthy life.

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Financial wellbeing

We regularly review market data to ensure compensation reflects the value you bring. Your benefits extend beyond pay and may include retirement plans, financial education, etc.

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Physical and mental health

We empower you to prioritize your wellbeing through paid time off, flexible working where possible, healthcare plans, counselling, our Mental Health Allyship program and more. 

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Your career, your way

With 350,000+ roles at Cognizant, you’ll have opportunities explore new technologies, industries and locations—and build the skills you need to grow your career.

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Real-world impact

Think about the biggest brands you rely on. Chances are, they rely on us to help strengthen their business. Here, you’ll turn bold ideas into solutions that improve lives everywhere.

Your path to Cognizant

Here’s what you can expect from our hiring process. Please keep in mind that it may vary by role and location. Explore our FAQs to learn more.

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Step 1: Apply to the right opportunity

Find an open role that matches your skills and career goals and show us why you’re the person for the job. Don’t see the right opportunity? Consider joining our Talent Community.

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Step 2: Connect with your recruiter

If one of our recruiters sees a fit, they’ll set up a short intro call to learn more about you and how your experiences and skills match the role.

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Step 3: Show off your skills

If you and our team would like to continue the process, you’ll interview with our hiring team. Some roles may also require technical assessments and/or client interviews.

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Step 4: Decision time

Our team will then review each candidates’ potential to succeed in the role. This step may take some time because we want to find the right fit for both you and us—but you can count on us to keep you updated.

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