Data Architect (Contract)

About the role

The Data Architect will lead the design, governance and implementation of enterprise data solutions for a fast‑growing organisation in Johannesburg. This contract position focuses on establishing robust data platforms, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and driving innovative data‑driven initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Define and enforce data governance policies, monitoring compliance with regulatory and privacy requirements.
• Develop and coordinate data strategies that align with business development plans and capture new opportunities.
• Design the Data Platform & Engineering operating model to support reporting, advanced analytics and AI workloads.
• Collaborate with IT leadership to align data analytics, custodianship and infrastructure with the Data & Analytics department.
• Lead the design and governance of enterprise data, integration and AI architectures, providing final approval on data, analytics, machine‑learning and AI models (IBM and Microsoft platforms).
• Establish service models, SLAs and a data‑usability environment accessible across all business units.
• Identify cost‑reduction opportunities, eliminate data redundancies and explore monetisation of data assets.

Required profile

• Proven experience in enterprise data architecture, data governance and data platform design.
• Strong understanding of data privacy regulations and ability to implement compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to work with senior business and IT stakeholders to drive data‑centric transformation.
• Hands‑on expertise in guiding AI/ML initiatives and integrating them into production environments.

Required skills

• Data architecture and integration patterns
• IBM platforms
• Microsoft platforms
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) concepts