Technology Architect

SUMMARY:
Key Purpose:

• The company operates in a data-intensive environment where vast volumes of information must be sourced, switched, structured, validated, stored, secured, and made readily available to the business. Technology is not just an enabler—it is a strategic imperative
• The purpose of this role is to architect and govern enterprise-grade data platforms that leverage the Microsoft Azure ecosystem to deliver secure, scalable, and high-performance solutions
• The Technology Data Architect will play a pivotal role in maintaining and developing the company's data landscape, ensuring that data technologies are aligned with business goals, regulatory requirements, and operational excellence
• This role will lead the design and implementation of cloud-native data architectures using Medallion and modern data lake architectures, integrating services such as Azure SQL, Synapse, Cosmos DB, Data Lake, Databricks, PySpark Notebooks, Power BI, and Dataverse. The Role will also drive innovation in data analytics, automation, and application development, while fostering collaboration across IT, business, and governance teams
• This role will report into the company's Enterprise Solutions Architect

POSITION INFO:
The main functions: Architect Scalable Data Platforms: Design and implement enterprise-grade data architectures using Microsoft Azure technologies, including Azure SQL, Synapse, Cosmos DB, Data Lake, Databricks, PySpark Notebooks, and Dataverse Ensure platforms are secure, resilient, and optimized for performance and cost Establish scalable data modeling practices, including conceptual, logical, and physical models aligned with business domains Lead Data Modernization Initiatives: Drive the transformation of legacy systems into cloud-native solutions from a data technology perspective Promote the adoption of modern data services and analytics tools across the organization Oversee migration strategies, including schema conversions, data mapping, and validation processes Govern Data Lifecycle and Compliance: Define and enforce standards for data sourcing, structuring, validation, storage, and security, working closely with the Data Centre of Excellence Ensure compliance with POPIA, GDPR, and internal governance frameworks Assist the business data architect with the implementation of metadata management, data cataloging, and sensitive data tracking initiatives. Support discoverability and lineage tracking Enable Business Intelligence and Analytics: Integrate tools such as Power BI, Azure Analysis Services, and Azure Machine Learning to support decision-making, enabling the Data Teams in the Planning Units of the company Collaborate with business units to deliver actionable insights through data visualization and predictive modeling Support semantic modeling and KPI definitions to ensure consistent reporting across data teams Support Application Development and Integration: Provide architectural guidance for. NET-based applications and data-driven solutions working with the Enterprise Solutions Architect Enable seamless integration across Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Dynamics 365, and SharePoint\/Teams Ensure data contracts are well-defined for interoperability and reuse Champion Automation and DevOps Practices: Implement CI\/CD pipelines, infrastructure-as-code (Terraform), and automated data workflows using Azure Data Factory and Power Automate Promote DevOps culture and tooling across data engineering teams Monitor and optimize ETL pipelines, ensuring observability, reliability, and scalability Formal Education: Appropriate 3\/4 year IT\/Business qualification - B Com or B Sc degree or equivalent Additional qualifications\/Certifications beneficial Experience: Technology Architecture - Data Technologies: Minimum 7 years of experience in enterprise-level data architecture, solution design, and modeling of insurance-based data technologies Proven ability to lead large-scale data platform implementations across hybrid and cloud environments Expertise in designing scalable, secure, and cost-effective data architectures in the cloud aligned with business and regulatory requirements Microsoft Azure Data Technologies: Extensive hands-on experience with: Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Cosmos DB Azure Blob Storage, Azure Data Lake Storage Azure Data Factory, Azure Stream Analytics Azure Analysis Services, Azure Machine Learning Strong understanding of Azure-native data integration, transformation, and analytical capabilities 5+ years of domain knowledge in Insurance (Short Term \/ Life \/ Microinsurance \/ Health Insurance) Experience in aligning data strategies with regulatory and operational needs in the insurance sector