Lead Data Architect

Open Box Software


Date: 1 day ago
City: Cape Town, Western Cape
Contract type: Full time
At Open Box Software, we don’t just deliver software - we help businesses unlock the power of data to drive smarter decisions. We’re looking for a Lead Data Architect to shape strategic, enterprise-scale data solutions and lead technical engagements that make a real difference. If you enjoy translating complex requirements into powerful architectures, love working with cloud-native technologies, and want to mentor and lead teams in delivering high-impact solutions, we’d love to hear from you.

This is your opportunity to join a collaborative and high-performing team that values technical excellence, personal growth, and creating genuine impact for our international clients.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced and meticulous Lead Data Architect to spearhead client strategic engagement, design, proposal, and implementation of robust and scalable data solutions for our diverse client base. This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise in data architecture, a keen eye for detail, and an innovative approach to problem-solving. The Lead Data Architect will be instrumental in defining our data landscape, ensuring high-quality technical delivery, and guiding our engineering efforts.

Responsibilities

  • Architectural Design & Implementation: Design, propose, and oversee the implementation of enterprise-level data architectures, including data warehouses (Kimball methodologies), data lakes (Medallion architecture), data governance processes, master data solutions and modern data platforms (Azure, Microsoft Fabric).
  • Technical Leadership & Guidance: Provide senior technical guidance to implementation teams, ensuring adherence to best practices, high-quality code, and scalable solutions.
  • Technical Estimation & Scoping: Develop accurate and detailed proposal documents of varying complexity along with the requisite accurate effort estimations for technical delivery.
  • Documentation & Visualization: Create clear, comprehensive, and high-quality architectural diagrams, technical specifications, and discovery workshop documentation. Develop consistency within this arena to streamline service offerings and provide an exceptional client experience.
  • Technology Evaluation & Recommendation: Research, evaluate, and recommend cutting-edge data technologies and tools to enhance our service offerings and client solutions.
  • Quality Assurance: Champion a culture of high-quality technical delivery to ensure robust and maintainable data solutions.
  • Innovation: Actively seek out-of-the-box solutions and creative approaches to complex data challenges, fostering a forward-thinking technical environment.
  • Meaningful Client Engagements: Engage with clients and build meaningful relationships to support the sales process as well as successfully eliciting requirements for varying requirements based on client needs.
  • Strategic Vision: Capacity to consult with clients at a strategic level to develop an enterprise roadmap whilst incorporating technical architecture to support varying outcomes.


Experience:

  • Minimum of 3 - 5 years of hands-on experience in data architecture
  • 5 – 8 years solid experience in data and analytics, data modelling, data engineering, reporting, data management and data governance
  • Proven consulting experience of between 2 – 4 years delivering commercial proposals covering simple through to complex client requirements and project sizes
  • A strong portfolio of successfully delivered enterprise-level data solutions.


Technical Acumen:

  • Deep expertise in Data Warehousing (Kimball Methodology) and Data Lake (Medallion Architecture) principles and implementation.
  • Extensive practical experience with Azure data services and Microsoft Fabric.
  • Proficiency in designing and implementing complex data pipelines and ETL/ELT processes.
  • Strong understanding of data governance, security, and compliance best practices.


Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills:

  • Exceptional analytical skills with a proven ability to think creatively and solve complex technical problems.


Attention to Detail:

  • Meticulous attention to detail in design, client presentations, documentation, and implementation.


Communication:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.


Team Success:

  • Values team-based delivery through working well with different stakeholders both internally and externally.


Creativity:

  • Can generate new content for client facing presentations of a high standard and that encourage meaningful client engagements and support sales related activities.


Preferred Qualifications:

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering or equivalent
  • Relevant industry certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure Data Engineer Associate).
  • Experience with other cloud platforms (AWS, GCP) is a plus.
  • Familiarity with DataOps and MLOps principles is a plus.
  • CDMP Master or Practitioner is a plus.


Personal Traits:

  • Friendly and humble
  • Conscientious
  • Empathetic and self-aware
  • Considerate
  • Self-motivated
  • Strong work ethic
  • Sound decision-making ability
  • Team player
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