Lead Data Architect

Lead Data Architect (Contract)

Location: Brussels (2 days on-site / 3 days remote)

Duration: 12 months (long-term engagement)

Rate: Competitive (market-aligned)

Client: Leading Banking Institution

Overview

We’re supporting a major banking client in Brussels looking to bring in a Lead Data Architect to play a key role in shaping and evolving their data landscape. This is a hands-on leadership position, working across business and technology to define architecture, guide delivery teams, and ensure data is being used effectively, securely, and at scale.

What you’ll be doing

• Define and own the data architecture strategy across multiple domains
• Work closely with senior stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable data solutions
• Lead the design of modern data platforms (cloud, hybrid, and on-prem where required)
• Set standards around data modelling, governance, and integration
• Guide engineering teams on best practices and architectural direction
• Oversee data flows across critical banking systems, ensuring performance and reliability
• Contribute to data governance frameworks, including quality, lineage, and security
• Support ongoing transformation initiatives, including modernisation of legacy environments

What they’re looking for

• Proven experience as a Data Architect in complex, enterprise environments (ideally within financial services)
• Strong background in data modelling, integration, and architecture frameworks
• Experience working with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS or GCP) in a data context
• Solid understanding of data governance, security, and regulatory considerations
• Ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels
• Strong stakeholder management skills – comfortable engaging with senior business and IT leaders
• Experience leading or mentoring teams is a plus

Tech environment (indicative)

• Modern data platforms (cloud-based and hybrid)
• ETL / ELT pipelines
• Data warehousing / lakehouse concepts
• API and event-driven architectures

Why this role?

• Long-term programme within a stable, high-profile banking environment
• Opportunity to shape architecture decisions at scale
• Hybrid setup with flexibility
• Strong day rate aligned to market