Lead AI and Data Architect, Senior Manager – Strategy, Governance and Architecture, AI & Data

Basic information Location London, Manchester Business Line Technology \& Transformation Job Type Permanent / FTC Date published 20-Jul-2026 Req # 24373 Job description Connect to your Industry Do you want to be at the heart of some of the biggest and most ambitious AI and data projects? How do you make intelligent, future-proof decisions in a world where change is the one constant? That is exactly what you will help our clients do. Take your career to the next level by joining one of the world’s best and most recognised professional services firms. You will build trusted relationships with business stakeholders and use the most exciting new technologies available to create data-driven programmes that transform their organisations. Your advice will help clients position their organisations to succeed in an ever-evolving marketplace. At Deloitte, you will have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of interesting, international and world-leading clients who are navigating an evolving marketplace where AI is fundamentally reshaping their businesses. With a focus on next-generation technology-enabled projects, you will be at the forefront of innovation and have the chance to make a real impact. Join us and be part of a dynamic, collaborative and supportive team dedicated to delivering exceptional results. You will have access to unparalleled training and development opportunities, as well as the chance to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. Connect to your career at Deloitte Deloitte drives progress. Using our vast range of expertise, we help our clients become leaders wherever they choose to compete. To do this, we invest in outstanding people. We build teams of future thinkers with diverse talents and backgrounds, and empower them to reach further and achieve more. What brings us all together at Deloitte? It is how we approach the thousands of decisions we make every day: how we behave, our beliefs and our attitudes. In other words, our values. Whatever we do, wherever we are in the world, we lead the way, serve with integrity, take care of each other, foster inclusion and collaborate for measurable impact. These five shared values guide every decision we make and every action we take, helping us deliver impact where it matters most. Connect to your opportunity We are seeking talented and experienced AI and Data Architects to join our Strategy, Governance and Architecture (SG\&A) team within Deloitte’s Artificial Intelligence and Data (AI\&D) offering. Our team specialises in “designing for data”: how to source it, store it, structure it, transform it and consume it for a wide range of data-centric use cases, including data APIs, data monetisation, GenAI, machine learning, management information and reporting. As a Senior Manager, you will lead the architecture of complex AI and data transformation programmes, working with senior client stakeholders to translate business objectives into scalable, secure and deliverable solutions. You will guide multidisciplinary teams from strategy and design through to implementation, while contributing to proposals, market-facing perspectives and internal practice development. In this role, you will be expected to: * Help market-leading clients understand how to use data and cutting-edge technologies to address their challenges, ambitions and objectives. * Lead the definition and design of end-to-end functional and solution architectures that articulate the capabilities required to support data and analytics activities. * Work closely with executive-level client stakeholders and cross-functional project teams, including business analysts, data engineers, architects and testers, to understand business vision and requirements, translate them into actionable project plans, roadmaps and technical specifications, and ensure successful project delivery. * Provide thought leadership and contribute to the development of innovative technology solutions, sharing your expertise and best practices with clients and colleagues. * Mentor junior team members, foster their professional development, and lead effective, enthused and diverse teams within an inclusive team culture where people are recognised for their contributions. * Contribute to proposals for new business opportunities, showcasing your expertise and understanding of client needs. * Stay abreast of industry trends and the vendor landscape through continuous learning, adapting to the ever-evolving data and AI technology landscape while building relationships and solution understanding with leading solution and platform vendors. Connect to your skills and professional experience Essential * Significant experience in data, AI or enterprise architecture, ideally gained in consulting or another client-facing environment, with a track record of shaping and delivering complex technology-enabled change. * Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships, with experience developing and delivering presentations to senior stakeholders. * Experience leading architecture or technical teams, including coaching junior colleagues, coordinating multidisciplinary delivery teams and creating an inclusive, high-performing working environment. * Experience working with peers and senior enterprise solution/data architecture teams to develop data architecture blueprints and present architecture designs to a variety of stakeholders, including Technical Design Authorities and Architecture Boards. * Experience conducting architectural evaluation, design and analysis of enterprise-wide systems, including on-premise and cloud-based solutions, as well as product selection or build-versus-buy recommendations. * Experience engaging with both business and IT stakeholders to document business outcomes and objectives for large-scale solutions and programmes. Technical Proficiency: * Cloud Platforms: Strong experience across one or more major cloud and data platforms, such as AWS, Azure, GCP, Databricks or Snowflake, including their AI/ML and generative AI services, with broader awareness of the wider vendor landscape. * Data Architecture: Strong understanding of functional data architecture designs, including data modelling, data management, data quality, master data management, reference data, reporting, visualisation and AI. Expertise in data solution architecture, including design principles and solution patterns. * Governance \& Security: Solid understanding of data governance, data lineage, security practices, ethical AI implementation and regulatory compliance frameworks, such as GDPR. * Project Management \& Delivery: Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage timelines, scope and delivery, with a strong understanding of agile methodologies and experience working in agile environments. Connect to your business - Technology and Transformation Distinctive thinking, deep expertise, innovation and collaborative working. That’s what connects us. That’s what makes us Deloitte. If you want to help solve some of the biggest tech and transformational challenges around, join us. Together, we’ll make an impact that matters. Engineering, AI and Data We lead transformation at the heart of our clients’ organisations, re-engineering their core operations, helping to unleash growth and creating better futures for their customers, citizens and employees. Personal independence Regulation and controls are standard practice in our industry, and Deloitte is no exception. These controls provide important legal protection for both you and the firm. We are subject to a number of audit regulations, one of which requires certain colleagues to abide by specific personal independence constraints, such as those relating to financial interests and employment relationships. This can mean that you and your “Immediate Family Members” are not permitted to hold certain financial interests, such as shares, funds or bonds, with audit clients of the firm. It can also mean that certain employment relationships are prohibited, for example, holding a secondary employment role with SEC audit clients of the firm while being employed by Deloitte. The recruitment team will provide further details as you progress through the recruitment process, or you can contact the Independence team upon request. Connect with your colleagues “What attracted me to Deloitte were the endless opportunities and the collective experience of other like-minded individuals. Deloitte’s clients include many of the world’s largest organisations; I wanted to be part of a team that made a difference that I could be proud of.” - Dan, Technology and Transformation "I get to work on projects that help clients in a sector I feel truly passionate about.” - Rhiannon, Technology and Transformation “Everyone always says “it’s the people,” and that’s true. Working for a brand you feel proud of feels pretty good too. And you don’t have any stress about fitting into a particular stereotype, because there are so many different types of people in Deloitte.” - Gillian, Technology and Transformation Our hybrid working policy You will be based in London or Manchester, with hybrid working. At Deloitte, we understand the importance of balancing your career with your home life. That is why we will support you to work flexibly through our hybrid working policy. Depending on the requirements of your role, you will have the opportunity to work in your local office, virtual collaboration spaces, client sites and remotely. You will have the chance to meet face to face when needed, while collaborating and learning from colleagues, sharing your experiences and building the relationships that will fuel your career and prioritise your wellbeing. Please check with your recruiter for the specific working requirements that may apply to your role. Our commitment to you Making an impact is more than just what we do: it’s why we’re here. So we work hard to create an environment where you can experience a purpose you believe in, the freedom to be you, and the capacity to go further than ever before. We want you. The true you. Your own strengths, perspective and personality. So we’re nurturing a culture where everyone belongs, feels supported and heard, and is empowered to make a valuable, personal contribution. You can be sure we’ll take your wellbeing seriously, too. Because it’s only when you’re comfortable and at your best that you can make the kind of impact you, and we, live for. Your expertise is our capability, so we will make sure it never stops growing. Whether it is from the complex work you do or the people you collaborate with, you will learn every day. Through world-class development, you will gain invaluable technical and personal skills. Whatever your level, you will learn how to lead. Connect to your next step A career at Deloitte is an opportunity to develop in any direction you choose. Join us and you’ll experience a purpose you can believe in and an impact you can see. You’ll be free to bring your true self to work every day. And you’ll never stop growing, whatever your level. Discover more reasons to connect with us, our people and our purpose-driven culture at deloitte.co.uk/careers.