We're currently looking for an Azure Data Architect to join our IT team on a full-time, permanent basis.

In terms of location, ideally you'll be based in Bristol or Newcastle although we will consider applications for our other regional offices (Plymouth, Southampton, Leeds and Edinburgh).

The team

First-class IT systems are absolutely key to the success of any business in today's commercial world and the legal sector is no exception. Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP prides itself on being at the forefront of technological advancements within the legal profession, something we've become well known for. To remain competitive in our markets, and to continue supporting our growth strategies, our team of dedicated IT professionals have a key role to play, ensuring the integrity of the IT infrastructure, development of new and existing systems and excellent support to all of our employees, and clients.

The role

This role will see you working closely with our Cloud Architect, IT Director and Chief Financial Officer to set a strategic direction for our data and reporting platform. Key responsibilities will include;

• Designing cloud-based data platforms using a wide range of the Azure Services. This could include Azure Databricks, Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Synapse, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Data Factory and Azure Blob storage
• Maintaining and updating our current reporting platform, Qlik
• Designing, implementing and maintaining an Enterprise Data Warehouse using the technologies listed above
• Ensuring the warehouse is fit for purpose to deliver against our Qlik, and other reporting platform
• Building conceptual, logical and physical data models optimised for analytical use cases
• Defining data architecture framework, standards and principles
• Mapping data from source to target and establishing current & future state based on business data requirements
• Providing Quality Assurance, reviewing the development
• Working in an agile environment
• Working closely with business stakeholders to ensure continuity of access to required data
• Participating in sprint planning, estimating stories, providing proposed solutions and identifying stories that are not ready for planning

What are we looking for? 

It goes without saying that you'll have a good level of knowledge of Azure Services including Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Data Factory , Azure Blob storage and Power BI. You'll also have knowledge of Azure Databricks platform and Apache Spark framework, as well as data gateways, integrated runtimes and data transforms. You'll have working knowledge of Data Modelling Tools.

It would be great if you have experience with Azure DevOps Pipelines, but experience with any other Enterprise product/tool for CI/CD is also considered, e.g. Terraform, Jenkins, Octopus etc.

We're looking for someone who has excellent written and verbal communication skills along with the ability to explain complex problems in a simple and effective manner. Strong peer and senior stakeholder management skills are essential, as is the ability to engage with exec level sponsors.

In terms of certifications you may have, the following are desirable but by no means essential;

DP-203: Azure Data Engineer Associate

DP-300: Azure Database Administrator Associate

DP-500: Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate

AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Databricks Certified Associate Developer for Spark 2.4/3.0

What makes it great to work here?

We continually work hard to create an open culture that sets us apart from other firms. Our culture gives us much more of a human feel, emphasising that we're more than just suits!  We like and make time for each other enabling us to establish professional relationships that can often become lasting friendships. 

Through our D&I initiatives we create an environment in which difference is valued.  We have a Diversity and Inclusion Group, led by our Board Sponsor, which works with our colleague networks (we currently have firm supported networks for race, ethnicity, and cultural heritage, LGBTQ+, disabilities, families, and women's career development and we're in constant dialogue with our people about how we expand our networks to better support everybody).  We encourage applicants from all social backgrounds, ethnicities, disabilities, gender identities and sexual orientations. Please get in touch to let us know how we can give you the best possible recruitment experience.

As signatories to the Mindful Business Charter, it's important that our people are able to maintain healthy and happy lives, both in and out of work.  We have a number of resources and initiatives designed to support health and wellbeing, including our team of dedicated mental health first aiders.  We recognise that getting the right work life balance is a priority for all of us and we're very happy to talk flexible working, full-time or part-time working patterns.  We also recognise the challenges of relocation and post-pandemic return to the office.

And that's not all, alongside a competitive salary you'll receive a flexible benefits package so you can choose and vary the benefits that matter most to you.

Next steps

If this sounds like your next career move then please get in touch to find out more. No agencies please, we're an in-house recruitment team!

If this isn't the role for you (or the right time) why not connect with us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@WBD_CareersUK) to keep up to date with all of our opportunities.  We also have a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/womblebonddickinsoncareers/