Data Architecture

For our client, Thales, we are looking for a Data Architecture on Freelance basis (duration: 1 year).

 

Data Architect

 ‘“You can have data without information, but you cannot have information without data.”

The Enterprise Information Management team of Thales in the Netherlands is looking for an experienced Data Architect. 

 

About us

With 80.000 talents working in 68 countries, we are one of the biggest high-tech employers in the field of safety and security. In the Netherlands, where 2.800 employees are based, we are located in four cities: Huizen, Delft, Eindhoven and Hengelo (HQ). Together with an extensive ecosystem of knowledge partners, customers and suppliers, we work on radars for naval vessels, cyber security solutions, communication equipment for land forces, cryogenic cooling solutions and research & development for radar tech (in collaboration with TU Delft).

 

About the team

The Enterprise Information Management (EIM) team is a central team facilitating data management, business reporting and analytics needs of the Thales Netherlands organisation. The team consists of different data experts who deliver relevant and adequate data and information solutions in close collaboration with business stakeholders.

 

About the job

Thales in the Netherlands has committed to the objective of becoming a ‘data-driven company’, where facts and unambiguous information are leading in decision making. You will join the team that is the driving force behind the Data valuation of Thales Netherlands. As a Data Architect at Thales, you will embark on a transformative journey, sculpting the future of data-driven excellence, where your visionary leadership will propel our organization into new realms of innovation and strategic success. You will report to the Chief Data Officer and will support the CDO in drafting the NL vision and reaching the objectives.

A day in the life of a Data Architect at Thales is a dynamic blend of strategic thinking, collaborative engagement, and hands-on innovation. You'll start by reviewing the latest data trends and industry advancements, shaping your vision for how data can elevate Thales. Engaging with stakeholders, you'll gather insights into evolving business needs, ensuring alignment between data solutions and organizational goals. Throughout the day, you'll dive into the architectural runway, refining data models, and optimizing the data ecosystem for scalability and performance. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, you'll champion data governance, balancing security and accessibility. Your afternoons may be filled with mentoring sessions, guiding the team towards excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. As the day concludes, you'll reflect on how your inspirational leadership and strategic insights have propelled Thales towards new heights of data-driven success.

 

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Data Leadership:

• Develop and champion the data architecture strategy aligned with Thales’ business objectives.
• Drive a data-driven culture, ensuring that data is leveraged as a strategic asset across the organization.

2. Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate closely with business stakeholders to understand their data needs and requirements.
• Act as a bridge between technical teams and business leaders, ensuring alignment between data architecture and organizational goals.

3. Architectural Runway:

• Design and maintain a robust data architecture “runway” that accommodates current needs while being adaptable to future business requirements.
• Implement best practices for data modelling, integration, and governance to ensure scalability, reliability, and performance.

4. Data Governance:

• Establish and enforce data governance policies to ensure data quality, integrity, and security.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and implement data standards and processes.

5. Innovative Solutions:

• Lead the evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies and tools in the data space.
• Drive innovation by proposing and implementing new data-driven solutions that enhance Thales’ capabilities.

6. Team Collaboration:

• Work collaboratively with data governance managers, data engineers, analysts, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation of data solutions.
• Mentor and guide team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

7. Communication Skills:

• Communicate complex data concepts and architectural decisions to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Act as a thought leader by promoting the importance of data architecture within Thales.

8. Inspirational Personality:

• Inspire and motivate team members and stakeholders with a positive and forward-thinking mindset.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative environment where individuals feel empowered to contribute their best.

 

About you

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Proven experience as a Data Architect in a large, complex organization.
• In-depth knowledge of data architecture principles, practices, and emerging trends.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience with data governance and compliance.
• Technical proficiency in data modelling, ETL processes, and data warehousing.
• Familiarity with cloud-based data solutions is a plus.
• Inspirational leadership qualities with a passion for driving data-driven decision-making.
• Have a good proficiency in English, both verbally and written.
• Have experience with working agile.
• Dutch nationality.