Lead Data Architect

What part will you play? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it.The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you’ll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We’re always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realize our potential, we can help others reach theirs. Join us and play your part in something special! The Lead Data Architect provides strategic and hands-on leadership across divisional data initiatives, guiding delivery teams in building scalable data solutions within a modern cloud-based data ecosystem. This role balances high-level architecture with practical execution, ensuring data solutions align with business needs, performance requirements, and long-term architecture goals.Key ResponsibilitiesAs part of a data architecture organization, provide architectural guidance to two or three concurrent data delivery teams (typically 4–5 engineers per team) across data initiativesDesign and evolve data architecture across a Databricks-first lakehouse in a broader Azure ecosystem, understanding both target state and appropriate trade-offsPartner with engineering teams to support their detailed solutions and implementation through design reviews, guidance, and targeted hands-on contribution where neededSpecify data solutions that meet non-functional requirements (NFRs) such as scalability, performance, and reliabilityPerform technology evaluations in support of the teams, with appropriate recommendations and reasoningAssess technical challenges and problems, provide options, and make recommendationsGuide ingestion and integration strategies, including API-based data exchangeLead without direct reporting authority, influencing teams through expertise and collaborationRequired Experience & Qualifications~7–10 years of progressive experience in data engineering, pipeline development, and data architecture roles developing Data Lakes and Data WarehousesBackground progressing from developer through at least team leadStrong experience designing and working with the full lifecycle of data-centric architecturesHands-on experience with cloud development in DatabricksExperience with structured and unstructured data (e.g., JSON, files, media)Understanding of both relational and non-relational solutionsUnderstanding of APIs and data integration patternsStrong communication and stakeholder influence skills (written + verbal)Know when to make independent decisions and when to circle back to the broader team with appropriate questionsWork within a new domain by identifying gaps in knowledge and actively seeking answersPreferred QualificationsExperience with Guidewire Insurance Suite dataAzure Solutions Architect certification (nice-to-have)Experience working in Property & Casualty insurance data domainsAn understanding of London and international markets would be a plusRole ExpectationsWith support from the team, a typical candidate ramps to a high degree of independence within the first six monthsUS Work AuthorizationUS Work Authorization required. Markel does not provide visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future.Who We AreMarkel Group (NYSE – MKL) a fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory and investment operations around the world.We’re all about people | We win together | We strive for betterWe enjoy the everyday | We think further What’s In It For YouIn keeping with the values of the Markel Style, we strive to support our employees in living their lives to the fullest at home and at work. We offer competitive benefit programs that help meet our diverse and changing environment as well as support our employees’ needs at all stages of life.  All full-time employees have the option to select from multiple health, dental and vision insurance plan options and optional life, disability, and AD&D insurance.  We also offer a 401(k) with employer match contributions, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, PTO, corporate holidays and floating holidays, parental leave.   Are you ready to play your part? Choose ‘Apply Now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.Caution: Employment scams Markel Is Aware Of Employment-related Scams Where Scammers Will Impersonate Recruiters By Sending Fake Job Offers To Those Actively Seeking Employment In Order To Steal Personal Information. Frequently, The Scammer Will Reach Out To Individuals Who Have Posted Their Resume Online. These "job Offers" Include Convincing Offer Letters And Frequently Ask For Confidential Personal Information. Therefore, For Your Safety, Please Note ThatAll legitimate job postings with Markel will be posted on Markel Careers. No other URL should be trusted for job postings.All legitimate communications with Markel recruiters will come from Markel.com email addresses. We would also ask that you please report any job employment scams related to Markel to rarecruiting@markel.com.Markel is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic. This includes race; color; sex; religion; creed; national origin or place of birth; ancestry; age; disability; affectional or sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; genetic information, sickle cell trait, or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait; refusal to submit to genetic tests or make genetic test results available; medical condition; citizenship status; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, or family responsibilities; military or veteran status, including unfavorable discharge from military service; personal appearance, height, or weight; matriculation or political affiliation; expunged juvenile records; arrest and court records where prohibited by applicable law; status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence; public assistance status; order of protection status; status as a smoker or nonsmoker; membership or activity in local commissions; the use or nonuse of lawful products off employer premises during non-work hours; declining to attend meetings or participate in communications about religious or political matters; or any other classification protected by applicable law.  Should you require any accommodation through the application process, please send an e-mail to the rarecruiting@markel.com.No agencies please.