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Job Description & How to Apply Below
For a globally active customer in Brussels, we are searching for a freelance (Enterprise) Data Architect for a greenfield project setting up a regional IT department from scratch.
Context & organisational reality
The customer is currently operating with a very lean IT organisation. Key characteristics of the current situation include
An outdated and fragmented IT and data landscape, with some business critical systems build on legacy technologies.
No dedicated BI or Data team in place today.
No internal capacity to structurally assess, redesign, or modernize the data landscape.
A strong dependency on historical solutions that have grown organically over time, with strong dependency on each other.
A strategic positioning on Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, need for decision about future data and analytics architecture.
No existing data governance, no data classification, no data dictionary, very limited/no documentation.
IT roadmap is put in place to modernize the whole IT landscape. Data is one of the tracks in this roadmap.
About the role
The Data Architect will bring clarity, structure, and measurable value to the customers data landscape during a 3-6 month senior consultancy engagement. Acting as a central, structuring force, you will inventory and assess existing data assets, establish pragmatic data governance, recommend a scalable analytics architecture aligned with the organization's Microsoft Azure/M365 positioning, and deliver early analytical wins that prepare the organization for future modernization and capacity growth.
This role operates with high autonomy and close partnership with executive and business stakeholders.
Key responsibilities
Lead a comprehensive inventory and assessment of operational and analytical data sources, legacy systems, and integrations, producing clear "as-is" documentation for technical and business audiences.
Analyse data flows, integrations, and reporting chains to identify single points of failure, redundancy, and structural weaknesses, and propose pragmatic architecture principles.
Evaluate the current BI and analytics landscape (including Qlik usage) and recommend evidence-based options for stabilizing or transitioning to platforms like Power BI in an Azure/M365 context.
Deliver initial, high-impact reporting or prototype dashboards (or prepare handover guidance for a junior resource) to demonstrate immediate business value without creating new technical debt.
Produce a phased, realistic 12-24 month roadmap that articulates architectural rationale, dependencies, risks, and next-step resourcing needs to enable future programs and enterprise architecture roles.
Communicate findings, trade-offs, and recommendations to stakeholders including the Sr. IT Manager, IT Program Manager, business leaders, and Enterprise Architect; ensuring decisions are documented and actionable.
Lead post-assessment activities such as lessons-learned, knowledge transfer, and definition of follow-on roles or capacity needs to ope rationalise proposed changes.
Setup a pragmatic data governance, data classification, and data quality approach.
Working closely together with Legal to ensure GDPR compliancy.
Required qualifications & experience
7+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or senior data/BI roles in heterogeneous or legacy environments
Proven track record operating independently in interim, advisory, or senior consultant positions, delivering clarity in low-maturity data organisations
Strong knowledge of data architecture and integration patterns, BI and analytics platforms, and data governance fundamentals
Hands-on familiarity with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 ecosystems; experience with Power BI and/or Qlik
Demonstrated ability to produce architecture documentation, roadmaps, and pragmatic governance frameworks
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, able to present technical concepts to business audiences in a clear, concise, and compelling manner
Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
Preferred qualifications
Experience delivering quick-win analytics or BI deliverables in resource-constrained environments
Prior experience preparing organisations for data architecture, data governance and transformation programs
Certifications or training in cloud, data architecture, or analytics (e.g. Azure certifications, Togaf or equivalent) are an advantage
Experience working in matrixed, multi-vendor environments
Familiarity with GDPR and other relevant regulatory/compliance requirements (e.g. NIS2)
Background working with transportation, logistics, or regulated industries (advantageous but not required)
Key skills & competencies
Technical / domain skills
Strong data modelling, integration, and ETL/ELT patterns
BI tooling assessment and report/dashboard design (Qlik, Power BI)
Familiarity with cloud platforms, enterprise applications, and modern integration patterns (APIs, Micro Services,…
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