Lead Data Architect

About the Company : WPP OPEN is WPP's proprietary, AI-powered operating system designed to connect our people, data, and technology to deliver integrated, creative, and effective solutions for our clients. It is a strategic imperative, central to our ambition to be the most integrated and client-centric creative transformation company. WPP OPEN is built to unlock the full potential of WPP's collective intelligence, streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and drive unparalleled value for our clients across all aspects of their marketing and business needs.

About the Role : The Lead Data Architect is a critical senior leadership role responsible for providing the central strategic direction, governance, and vision for data architecture across all of WPP Open. This role is essential for unifying the efforts of data engineers and architects who are distributed across various global workstreams. You will ensure a cohesive, scalable, and secure data ecosystem that prevents data silos and enables the development of advanced, AI-driven marketing solutions. You will be the authority on data architecture, driving consistency and best practices across the entire organisation.

Responsibilities :

Develop and own the long-term strategic roadmap for WPP Open's enterprise data architecture, anticipating future challenges and opportunities.

Directly lead a central team of senior data architects while providing strategic oversight and technical governance for all distributed data engineering and architecture talent across WPP Open.

Harmonise data architecture practices and technology choices across disparate workstreams to ensure interoperability, reusability, and efficiency.

Establish and enforce enterprise-wide data governance policies, data quality standards, and best practices across all teams and projects to ensure data integrity and security.

Drive process improvements and introduce new, innovative approaches to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of data management and consumption.

Serve as the primary subject matter expert and final point of escalation on data architecture, providing thought leadership to resolve highly complex, cross-functional issues.

Manage the budget and resource allocation for the central data architecture function, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.

Key Shared Accountabilities :

Partner with executive leadership and workstream leads globally to ensure the data architecture strategy supports and aligns with broader organisational goals.

Act as the primary architectural liaison between various workstreams, fostering a community of practice and ensuring alignment with the central data vision across different time zones.

Actively share best practices and foster a culture of data literacy and collaboration across the organisation.

Ensure the team's contributions and architectural decisions align with the commercial and operational models of WPP Open.

Critical Knowledge and Experience :

Typically requires a University Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience. A graduate-level degree is preferred.

Minimum of 12 years of prior relevant experience in data architecture, data engineering, or a similar field, with a proven track record of operating at a strategic level.

Deep, mastery-level knowledge of data architecture principles, data modeling, and database design in complex, large-scale environments.

Proven ability to lead and influence effectively in a global, distributed, and multi-time-zone environment.

Demonstrated experience leading and influencing in a complex, matrixed, or federated organisational structure, driving consensus and enforcing standards across distributed teams.

Extensive experience with cloud data platforms (e.g., Google Cloud, AWS, Azure) and modern data stack technologies (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery).

Strong conflict resolution, change management, and senior stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications :

Typically requires a University Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience. A graduate-level degree is preferred.

Minimum of 15 plus years of prior relevant experience in data architecture, data engineering, or a similar field, with a proven track record of operating at a strategic level.

Equal Opportunity Statement : WPP is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.