Data Architect - Ab Initio

Data Architect - Ab Initio & Data Governance (Contract | Inside IR35)

Farnborough, Hampshire | Hybrid (2 days on site: Tuesday & Wednesday)

Rolling contract | Inside IR35

£500-£550 per day - Financial Services organisation

I'm currently looking for an experienced Data Architect with strong Ab Initio expertise to join a highly successful and innovative Data Department within a Financial Services organisation based in Farnborough.
This is a rolling contract opportunity where you'll play a key role in governing enterprise data, with Ab Initio as a core technology, shaping architecture standards and enabling well‑controlled, high‑quality data products in a regulated environment.Once settled in, you'll be on site two days per week (Tuesday and Wednesday), so you must live within two hours of Hampshire.

What this role is

You will be working at the heart of data governance and architecture, with responsibility for:

Designing, building and evolving enterprise data architecture aligned to a wider data strategy
Using Ab Initio as a core data governance and integration tool, particularly in regulated environments
Governing data across AWS‑based platforms, including enterprise data models, data lineage and metadata
Supporting the build of well‑governed, self‑service data products
Defining and implementing data governance tooling, including lineage, metadata and master data management
Designing and overseeing ETL / ELT processes, embedding data quality, validation and controls
Working closely with stakeholders across technology and the business to ensure data is trusted, compliant and auditable
Leading architectural standards, best practice and documentation within a Financial Services environmentThis is a hands‑on, technical role, not a purely strategic or advisory position.What this role is not

❌ Not a pure data engineering role
❌ Not a reporting or BI‑only position
❌ Not a cloud‑only greenfield build with no governance
❌ Not suitable without Ab Initio experience
❌ Not suitable if your background is outside Financial or Regulatory environmentsWhat you need to bringYou must come from a Financial Services or Regulatory background, and Ab Initio experience is essential. Your CV must clearly evidence:

Hands‑on Ab Initio experience, particularly supporting data governance and regulated data flows
Strong Data Architecture experience (5+ years preferred)
Proven technical experience governing enterprise data
Enterprise data modelling (ERD, dimensional, data warehouse)
AWS data platforms and services (e.g. S3, Glue, Athena, Lambda)
Data governance capabilities including:
Data lineage
Metadata management
Master Data Management
Strong SQL and Python
Designing and overseeing ETL / ELT pipelines
Clear examples of achievements and tangible resultsImportant - CV requirement

To ensure you are flagged as relevant, your submitted CV must clearly include all required skills listed above, including Ab Initio.

Your profile must directly answer the following question:"What is your technical experience around governing data - including achievements and tangible results?"CVs that do not clearly demonstrate Ab Initio usage and data governance in a financial or regulatory context will not be progressed.

Why apply

£500-£550 per day inside IR35
Long‑term, rolling contract
Key role within a mature, enterprise‑scale data environment
Opportunity to work with Ab Initio in a governance‑critical setting
Hybrid working with a clear on‑site pattern
Focused, efficient interview processNext steps - strong call to actionIf you are a Data Architect with strong Ab Initio experience and a background in Financial Services, I want to hear from you.📩 Get in touch with your CV today, clearly outlining:

Your Ab Initio experience
Your technical data governance work
The outcomes and improvements you deliveredStrong candidates will move quickly - if this fits your background, apply now or contact me directly to discuss.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at (url removed)