Vivid Resourcing - Freelance Data Architect (Greenfi...

Context & organisational reality

• An outdated and fragmented IT and data landscape, with some business critical systems build on legacy technologies.
• No dedicated BI or Data team in place today.
• No internal capacity to structurally assess, redesign, or modernize the data landscape.
• A strong dependency on historical solutions that have grown organically over time, with strong dependency on each other.
• A strategic positioning on Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, need for decision about future data and analytics architecture.
• No existing data governance, no data classification, no data dictionary, very limited/no documentation.
• IT roadmap is put in place to modernize the whole IT landscape. Data is one of the tracks in this roadmap.

About the role

Key responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive inventory and assessment of operational and analytical data sources, legacy systems, and integrations, producing clear “as-is” documentation for technical and business audiences.
• Analyse data flows, integrations, and reporting chains to identify single points of failure, redundancy, and structural weaknesses, and propose pragmatic architecture principles.
• Evaluate the current BI and analytics landscape (including Qlik usage) and recommend evidence-based options for stabilizing or transitioning to platforms like Power BI in an Azure/M365 context.
• Deliver initial, high-impact reporting or prototype dashboards (or prepare handover guidance for a junior resource) to demonstrate immediate business value without creating new technical debt.
• Produce a phased, realistic 12-24 month roadmap that articulates architectural rationale, dependencies, risks, and next-step resourcing needs to enable future programs and enterprise architecture roles.
• Communicate findings, trade-offs, and recommendations to stakeholders including the Sr. IT Manager, IT Program Manager, business leaders, and Enterprise Architect; ensuring decisions are documented and actionable.
• Lead post-assessment activities such as lessons-learned, knowledge transfer, and definition of follow-on roles or capacity needs to operationalise proposed changes.
• Setup a pragmatic data governance, data classification, and data quality approach.
• Working closely together with Legal to ensure GDPR compliancy.

Required qualifications & experience

• 7+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or senior data/BI roles in heterogeneous or legacy environments
• Proven track record operating independently in interim, advisory, or senior consultant positions, delivering clarity in low-maturity data organisations
• Strong knowledge of data architecture and integration patterns, BI and analytics platforms, and data governance fundamentals
• Hands-on familiarity with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 ecosystems; experience with Power BI and/or Qlik
• Demonstrated ability to produce architecture documentation, roadmaps, and pragmatic governance frameworks
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, able to present technical concepts to business audiences in a clear, concise, and compelling manner
• Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)

Preferred qualifications

• Experience delivering quick-win analytics or BI deliverables in resource-constrained environments
• Prior experience preparing organisations for data architecture, data governance and transformation programs
• Certifications or training in cloud, data architecture, or analytics (e.g. Azure certifications, Togaf or equivalent) are an advantage
• Experience working in matrixed, multi-vendor environments
• Familiarity with GDPR and other relevant regulatory/compliance requirements (e.g. NIS2)
• Background working with transportation, logistics, or regulated industries (advantageous but not required)

Key skills & competencies

• Strong data modelling, integration, and ETL/ELT patterns
• BI tooling assessment and report/dashboard design (Qlik, Power BI)
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, enterprise applications, and modern integration patterns (APIs, MicroServices, Middleware), as relevant to the employer
• Practical knowledge of risk, compliance, and information security principles and how they apply to data programs
• Data governance, classification, and data quality approaches

• High autonomy and self-starting mindset; able to operate without predefined structures
• Strong analytical and problem-structuring skills
• Strategic and critical thinking: able to connect data activities to broader business goals and prioritize accordingly
• Strong communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority
• Effective stakeholder management and relationship-building, including conflict resolution and alignment of diverse viewpoints
• High level of ownership and accountability, with a bias for action and results
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, bringing structure an clarity to complex evolving situations
• Resilience and adaptability in the face of change, with a continuous improvement mindset
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail while maintaining the big-picture view
• Collaborative, pragmatic, and results-oriented with a bias for delivering tangible stakeholder value

• Report to Senior IT manager Belgium
• Collaborates closely with business stakeholders across operations and support functions, Enterprise Architect, Program Manager, external vendors or partners as required

Success metrics & outcomes

• On-time, on-budget delivery of key program milestones and overall program completion
• Delivery of a complete data landscape inventory and “as-is” documentation within agreed timeframe
• Number of high-impact quick-win reports/dashboards delivered and stakeholder satisfaction with those outputs
• Adoption or formal approval of a pragmatic data governance framework and assigned data ownership/stewardship
• A clear, actionable 12-24 month roadmap produced and endorsed by the Sr. IT manager and key stakeholders
• Identification and mitigation plan for critical single points of failure and high-risk data dependencies
• Demonstrated contribution to organizational learning through documented best practices, lessons learned, and process improvements

• Work in close partnership with IT, business, and vendor teams to foster a highly collaborative and respectful environment
• Operate with transparency, proactively sharing information, risks, and progress to enable informed, data-driven decisions
• Promote an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences
• Encourage continuous learning, experimentation, and professional growth for yourself and the teams you work with
• Emphasize accountability, constructive feedback, and proactive communication to build trust and deliver sustainable results

Additional details