Data Solution Architect

Description and Requirements

When you join KPMG Ireland, you are joining a community of over 4,200 employees who collectively work together, both in person and virtually, to achieve their full potential.

We are known as an organisation who want you to come as you are and do work that truly matters. Joining KPMG Ireland is an opportunity to enhance your career, not only in the work that you enjoy doing, but equally through the global connections that you make, the lifelong learning that you can accomplish and the chance to make your mark.

Are you our next Data Solution Architect?

Location: Dublin, as part of our hybrid working model

Grade: Manager / Associate Director

Contract type: Permanent

We are seeking Managers and Associate Directors to join our Dublin Data & AI team. You will help shape and win data platform work, then lead the architecture through delivery, so that what we deliver what our customers need. You are an experienced data architect with strong commercial instincts, trusted by client executives and engineers alike. The focus is data: platforms, integration, modelling, governance and the foundations that analytics and AI depend on.

A snapshot of your peer group

• We would love you to bring most of the following. If you do not meet every point, please still apply: we value potential, transferable skills and different career paths.
• 7+ years in modern data programmes, including solution architecture and client-facing pre-sales, ideally in consulting or with a data platform vendor or partner.
• A track record of winning data platform work: leading the solution for RFPs, writing proposals and statements of work, estimating, and presenting at client orals.
• Experience as design authority or lead architect through delivery, with a clean handover from pre-sales.
• Hands-on depth in Microsoft Fabric and Azure data services, Databricks or Snowflake. More than one is an advantage.
• Strong lakehouse and data warehouse architecture, data modelling (dimensional, Data Vault and semantic) and batch and streaming integration.
• Experience migrating legacy data estates (on-premises warehouses, ETL tools and Hadoop) to the cloud.
• Experience building governance, data quality, metadata, lineage and master data management into a platform, using tools such as Microsoft Purview or Unity Catalog, and applying data product and data mesh principles where they fit.
• Practical knowledge of data security and compliance (access models, encryption, data residency, GDPR, sector regulation), DataOps and FinOps.
• An understanding of what analytics and AI workloads need from a data platform. You are not expected to design AI models or agents.
• Ability to assess vendors objectively and build a recommendation and business case a client can act on.
• Excellent written and spoken communication and stakeholder management: you earn the trust of senior executives and explain complex trade-offs plainly.
• A record of high-quality documents and artefacts, such as architecture documents, design decision records, data models, roadmaps and proposals, ready to put in front of a client.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and mentoring architects and engineers.
• Certifications such as Microsoft Fabric Data Engineer, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Databricks or Snowflake architect, or TOGAF are an advantage.
• Your responsibilities and achievements will evolve as you enhance your career with us. Here is what you can initially expect:
• You will lead the data architecture from the first client conversation to a platform in production. Day to day, you will:
• Shape and win
• Identify and qualify data platform opportunities with partners, directors and account teams.
• Run discovery and current-state assessments of a client’s goals, data estate and constraints.
• Lead the solution for proposals: target architecture, delivery approach, estimates, risks and commercial structure.
• Build proofs of concept on the client’s own data, and present and defend the solution to executives and procurement panels.
• Work with alliance partners such as Microsoft, Databricks and Snowflake.

Deliver

• Act as design authority: own the target architecture, key decisions and standards.
• Produce and maintain high-quality architecture artefacts: target and transition architectures, design decision records, data models, standards and handover documentation.
• Lead the handover from pre-sales, so delivery starts with a clear scope, architecture and assumptions.
• Guide engineering and platform teams through build, migration and go-live, and resolve risks early.
• Build governance, security, data quality and cost controls in from the start.
• Track value against the business case and find follow-on opportunities.
• Grow the practice
• Develop reference architectures, accelerators and estimating models that make the next bid faster and the next delivery safer.
• Contribute to thought leadership, client events and our data platform offerings.
• Coach architects and senior engineers.

Your team

KPMG offers a broad range of Data & AI services across a wide range of clients, globally. Our dedicated Data & AI practice works with our clients in providing a wide range of services, across industries and functions, that harness capabilities in data operating models including data governance structures and operations, data engineering, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence coupled with business domain expertise.

Discover How KPMG Can Enrich Your Life Beyond Your Career

Benefits Tailored for You

At KPMG, we understand that life is multifaceted. That’s why we offer a flexible benefits package designed to support your unique lifestyle. Our benefits include:

Discounted Health Insurance: Prioritise your well-being with our health insurance options.

Additional Annual Leave: Purchase extra leave to spend more time with friends and family or to travel.

Enhanced Family Leave: Enjoy more time with your family with our generous leave options.

Emergency Childcare Cover: For times when your regular childcare plans fall through

Social Events: Connect and network with colleagues through our engaging social events.

Early Finish Fridays: Start your weekends early on bank holidays and during the summer.

Relocation Assistance: Smooth your transition if you’re moving to Ireland.

Learning & Development: Access our extensive supports, including LinkedIn Learning, to grow your skills.

We also offer a variety of flexible working options to help you balance your professional and personal life.

Career Progression with Continuous Support

From the moment you join KPMG, you’ll receive dedicated support from your performance manager to enhance your skills. Our award-winning Business School provides continuous learning opportunities to deepen your expertise.

We stand out as the only Big Four firm to announce promotions four times a year, offering you frequent opportunities for career advancement.

Commitment to Inclusion & Diversity

Inclusion, diversity, and equity are at the heart of KPMG. We celebrate diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment at every level. Our goal is to attract and retain the best talent by building a culture where everyone can achieve their potential. Learn more about our commitment here - https://kpmg.com/ie/en/home/about/inclusion-diversity-equity.html

Ready to Join Us?

If you meet most of the criteria, we encourage you to apply by submitting your CV. KPMG is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from people of all backgrounds. We are happy to provide reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process if needed. Necessary arrangements can be made at interview stage to accommodate the needs of candidates with disabilities.

For any specific queries about the role, please contact Karine Vatuska

For a glimpse into life at KPMG, follow #ExperienceKPMG on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

Please note that agency assistance is not required for this position.

By clicking apply to this role your application will not only be considered for this position, but your details will be stored on our database and may be considered for similar future positions that may arise. This means that the personal data contained in your application and provided to KPMG as part of the application process may be retained by us for up to 18 months from the date of your application and you hereby agree to that. If you do not wish your details to be stored on our recruitment database, please email [email protected] stating this and we will ensure that such information is not stored other than for the purposes of this application.