Data Architect

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🚀 About Unity Advisory Unity Advisory is a next-generation CFO advisory firm, launched in 2025 with the backing of Warburg Pincus and up to $300 million in committed funding. We're building a modern alternative to the Big Firms - agile, partner-led and technology-powered . We work with private equity-backed and upper mid-market businesses (typically £150m-£1.5bn revenue) across the full CFO agenda - finance operations, tax, deals, digital transformation and deal readiness. We do not provide audit services, allowing us to remain independent and fully outcome-focused. 💡 AI and data are at our core. We are AI-born, not AI-retrofitted. 🧠 The Role We're looking for a senior, commercially sharp Data Architect to help design and scale Unity's AI-native, Databricks-powered data architecture - first internally, then with clients. This role is deliberately split into two high-impact phases: 🔧 Phase 1 - Internal Architecture & Platform Design Build the foundation. Define how Unity thinks about data, AI and scalable architecture. 🌍 Phase 2 - Client-Facing Data & AI Advisory Take it to market. Help CFOs transform their data landscapes into AI-enabled engines of insight and value. 👉 This is a rare opportunity to design from first principles and then apply it in real-world, high-value situations . 🏗️ Phase 1: Internal Data & AI Architecture (Build Mode) You'll shape the backbone of Unity's technology platform - the layer that powers everything we do. 1. Define Unity's Enterprise Data Architecture Design a modern Databricks lakehouse architecture from the ground up Establish principles across: Structured & unstructured data Delta Lake storage & processing Medallion architecture (🟤 bronze → ⚪ silver → 🟡 gold) Vector search & retrieval layers AI interaction patterns Define scalable ingestion across batch + streaming sources 2. Architect AI-Ready Foundations Build curated, semantic data layers to power: 🤖 LLM-driven extraction & reasoning 📚 Internal knowledge systems ⚙️ AI copilots & workflow automation Leverage the Databricks ecosystem: Unity Catalog (governance) MLflow (model lifecycle) Vector search / embeddings (RAG use cases) Ensure data is structured for retrievability, explainability and control Partner closely with engineers to turn architecture into production reality 3. Governance & Control by Design 🔐 Establish robust governance using Unity Catalog Embed: Data quality Lineage Auditability Design for privacy, compliance and sensitive financial environments Ensure AI systems are grounded in trusted, governed data 4. Create Reusable Assets ♻️ Develop reusable lakehouse reference architectures Codify best practices across finance + AI Contribute directly to Unity's long-term product vision 👉 This phase = credibility, clarity and building something that actually works. 🌍 Phase 2: Client-Facing Data Architecture & Advisory Once the platform is proven, you step into a more external, high-impact role. 1. Architect Modern CFO Data Environments Design Databricks-based lakehouse architectures for finance transformation Integrate ERP, FP&A, BI and consolidation systems Deliver scalable models for: 📊 CFO dashboards 📈 Performance analytics 💰 Cash & working capital insight 🧾 Tax & compliance reporting 2. Embed AI into the Office of the CFO 🤖 Design AI-ready platforms supporting: Text2SQL & automated reporting Intelligent document extraction AI-assisted forecasting RAG-based insight generation Help clients move from fragmented data → unified lakehouse platforms Bring practical, grounded AI thinking (not hype) 3. Support Deals & Transformations ⚡ Architect data environments for: Due diligence Carve-outs & integrations Post-deal reporting Rationalise messy, fragmented data estates into something usable Operate confidently in high-pressure, high-stakes environments 4. Be a Senior Architectural Voice 🎯 Work directly with CFOs, CIOs and PE stakeholders Translate architecture into commercial outcomes Shape proposals and data strategy Help position Unity as a leader in AI-enabled CFO advisory 🧩 What You Bring 🏗️ Data Architecture Expertise 8+ years in enterprise data architecture or modern cloud platforms Strong experience with Databricks / lakehouse architectures (or similar) Deep knowledge of: Delta Lake & medallion design Semantic modelling Governance (Unity Catalog or equivalent) Data pipelines (batch + streaming) Experience designing AI-ready architectures (LLMs, RAG, etc.) 💼 Finance & Commercial Understanding Familiarity with ERP, FP&A, reporting, tax or deal environments Ability to connect architecture → CFO priorities Strong commercial judgement (speed vs cost vs scalability) 🤖 AI & Modern Tech Awareness Understanding of how LLMs interact with enterprise data Familiarity with embeddings, vector search, hybrid retrieval Exposure to Databricks AI/ML ecosystem (MLflow, feature stores, etc.) Balanced view of AI - opportunity and risk 🌱

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