Data and Integration Architect

Working at the RFU means being part of the ‘bigger picture’ at England Rugby: to be rooted in our purpose, which is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union & develop the sport for future generations. If our purpose resonates with you, and you recognise the value that sport can bring to people’s lives, we’d love to work with you. An opportunity has arisen for a Data & Integration Architect to join our Technology Team on a permanent basis. 

Job Title : Data & Integration Architect
Department : Technology   
Reports To : Head of Architecture & Planning
Salary Banding : circa £70,000
Job Level : Guide
Location : Twickenham/Hybrid
Employment Type : Permanent

Application Information:

• Please submit an anonymised CV and cover letter (i.e. please exclude personal details).
• The closing date for applications is Friday 5th July at 5pm.
• The RFU reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.
  Applications may be considered whilst this vacancy is advertised.

Nature and Scope:

As the RFU becomes an increasingly data driven organisation, the Data & Integration Architect will support this by continuing the evolution of the RFU’s Cloud based Data Platform; championing its use by the different RFU business teams in Commercial, Rugby and Business Operations, establishing governance and oversight of our data, ensuring that the data landscape adopts a common language/schema, and that data sources are integrated across RFU's digital platforms.

Reporting to the Head of Architecture & Planning, the role holder will take responsibility for ensuring the Data Platform meets present and future business and technology needs, and to deliver, review and take ownership of associated design blueprints/artefacts which enable that architecture to be built, operated and supported.  

What will you be doing?

Some key responsibilities include:

• Responsibility for all data architecture and data integration at the RFU and increasing the maturity of how the RFU handles data.
• Being the SME on what data the RFU collects across its different platforms and defining how this data flows from internal and external systems, into and out of the Data Platform.
• Providing technical leadership to all levels within the organisation on data architecture and information management.
• Defining and communicating the base line and target Data Platform Architecture with supporting artefacts, models, standards and processes which balance the needs of the business and technology and are in line with the architecture principles and guardrails of the RFU.
• Defining data models to support CRM and Analytics.
• Understanding key data and information related issues across both business and technology teams.
• Sharing data architecture and information management industry best practise, identifying potential opportunities, giving insights into emerging technologies and how they could impact, augment, or support the strategic vision.
• Championing the value of data architecture governance and design deliverables across the RFU.

Behaviours & Knowledge:

Your approach to Life (your behaviours):

• You're a strategic thinker who is able to influence and drive change.
• You have strong influencing and consensus building skills, and you're able to build sustaining relationships.
• You're able to work collaboratively.
• You are process driven and able to work well under pressure.
• You're able to inspire confidence and create trust.
• You possess sound judgement and the ability to think creatively to reach desired goals.
• You're committed to driving forward inclusion in your role and day-to-day behaviours.

What you Know:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or relevant work experience.
• Hands on experience with the technologies and methodologies used at the RFU, such as:
  • SQL
  • PostGreSQL
  • MongoDB
  • APIs and Microservices
  • Python, Pandas, PyTest
  • Kafka Connect / Streaming Technologies
  • CI/CD
  • Kubernetes / Docker
• Knowledge of one or more of the following Primary Domains:
  • BI, Analytics & Reporting
  • Data Lakehouse, Data Marts & Data Virtualisation
  • Data Mesh & Data Fabric
  • Data Quality, Reference & Meta Data
  • Enterprise Data Models & Data Governance
  • Machine Learning
• In-depth knowledge of business intelligence delivery, data management and quality.
• Experience in full development lifecycle phases as well as agile delivery models.
• Strong aptitude for using models to describe data, information, systems and technology strategy.
• Ability to maintain a sufficiently deep knowledge of business areas and technology to provide architectural leadership and direction.
• Ability to win the trust, confidence and commitment of senior business and IT stakeholders and to lead their thinking alongside the ability to communicate effectively with employees from all parts of the company.
• Ability to pragmatically balance the demands of delivery projects with the need to maintain the integrity of the target architecture.
• Effective in leading others and able to work as part of a team – whether it be project based, with RFU business and technical staff, or with external partners and suppliers.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present plans and proposals with confidence.

Additional Information:

• We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If there is anything we could do to support you through your application or to provide the best environment for your interviews, including assistance or adjustment, please reach out to recruitment@rfu.com. 
• During your application, we will ask questions about your identity. This information is considered highly confidential and will not be seen by hiring managers. You can find out more about why we ask these questions here.

To download the full job description for this role, please click here.

About England Rugby
England Rugby or Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for rugby in England. We deliver three core activities, and our purpose is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union and develop the sport for future generations.

Our core activities are:

Rugby – supporting rugby from grassroots to performance level

Commercial – building partnerships and hosting matches and events

Running the business - ensuring our organization and people can thrive

Our Culture

At England Rugby, one of our core objectives is to drive rugby union to better reflect the diversity of society. We are aware that rugby, and sports in general, has not always been as welcoming an environment for everyone as we would like, and we are working hard to make rugby a more inclusive space for all identities.

We believe hiring people from underrepresented groups into positions at all levels is vital to creating spaces and initiatives that better support those identities. We would love to see applications from disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, people from ethnically diverse communities, people of faith, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and women and non-binary people.

We know that representation is more than just getting people through the door, it’s about keeping people by responding to structural barriers relating to identities and valuing the insights that different lived experiences bring. We have network groups that provide peer-to-peer support and drive forward change internally. We support colleagues to develop, and each colleague has access to a personal coaching platform that can provide same-day one-to-one coaching. We are pushing ourselves to create a more inclusive culture every day through role modelling our BACK behaviours which stand for Brave, Accountable, Collaborative and Keep improving.

We know that flexible working is important to our colleagues, so our guiding principles are designed to support everyone to work in the way that suits them, their teams, and the organization in the best way.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If there is anything we could do to support you through your application or to provide the best environment for your interviews, including assistance or adjustment, please reach out to recruitment@rfu.com.

What we can offer you

We are proud of the range of benefits we can provide:

• A variety of corporate discounts.
• Priority access to purchase match tickets
• 25% discount in Rugby Store and EnglandRugby.com
• 25 days of annual leave and your birthday day off
• Free access to the stadium gym
• Life assurance of 4x your basic salary, income protection scheme and Employee Assistance Programme that offers anonymous and confidential, emotional and practical support 24/7
• After 3 months, you will be enrolled in our Aviva pension scheme and we will match and double your contribution up to 10%
• Ride-to-work scheme, eyecare vouchers and season ticket loans

About Our Team At England Rugby, we want to hear our employees’ thoughts, ideas and feedback on our strategies, new initiatives and our work environment. That’s why we have quarterly meetings called ‘the Voice’ where various topics are discussed, in addition to regular surveys, including our annual D&I survey. We are always striving to create the best environment for our colleagues, and we are proud to present some of our most recent feedback from Feb 2022:

• 85% feel motivated to perform their role to the best of their ability
• 83% feel supported by their Manager
• 90% agree or strongly agree that their Manager empowers and trusts them to deliver while working from home
• 83% feel informed and connected with the organisation

If you would like to find out more about our diversity and inclusion work or the culture at England Rugby, please visit our website here: https://www.englandrugby.com/about-rfu/rfu-policies/diversity-and-inclusion/our-approach