Lead AI GCP Architect

Lead AI GCP Data Architect - Contract

Contract : 6 months initial engagement

IR35 : Outside IR35

Rate : DOE

Location : Global remit (flexible base)

The Role

We're looking for a Lead AI GCP Data Architect to design and drive a modern, cloud-native data landscape that underpins large-scale transformation. This role blends strategy with hands-on delivery, ensuring platforms, pipelines, and governance frameworks are robust enough to power AI adoption, customer innovation, and enterprise-wide decision making.

You'll shape the future state architecture, modernise the current estate, and establish best practices that enable data-driven growth at pace.

Key Focus

Architecture leadership - Define and evolve enterprise-wide data models, pipelines, and integration patterns; ensure scalability, security, and performance.

Cloud platform strategy - Lead the design and optimisation of GCP-based data platforms, driving efficiency, cost control, and future-readiness.

Governance & compliance - Embed frameworks for data quality, security, and ethical AI enablement.

Collaboration & influence - Partner with engineering, analytics, and business stakeholders, ensuring architecture aligns to strategic goals.

Innovation & mentoring - Champion modern approaches, introduce emerging tech, and guide data teams in best practices.

About You

Strong track record in cloud-native data architecture with deep GCP expertise (BigQuery, Dataform, GCS, Vertex AI).

Experience designing and implementing complex data ecosystems across pipelines, storage, and integration.

Skilled in simplifying and modernising architectures while balancing innovation, cost, and governance.

Confident engaging senior stakeholders and influencing technical direction across global organisations.

Retail or consumer sector experience preferred; private sector experience essential.

Knowledge of security, FinOps, and emerging data / AI technologies.

This role is ideal for an architect who can combine strategic vision with hands-on technical leadership , enabling global teams to unlock the full value of data and AI.