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· An outdated and fragmented IT and data landscape, with some business critical systems build on legacy technologies.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 operationalise 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, microservices, middleware), as relevant to the employer.
· Practical knowledge of risk, compliance, and information security principles and how they apply to data programs.
· Data governance, classification, and data quality approaches.
Leadership / Soft Skills
· High autonomy and self-starting mindset; able to operate without predefined structures.
· Strong analytical and problem-structuring skills
· Strategic and critical thinking: able to connect data activities to broader business goals and prioritize accordingly.
· Strong communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
· Effective stakeholder management and relationship-building, including conflict resolution and alignment of diverse viewpoints.
· High level of ownership and accountability, with a bias for action and results.
· Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, bringing structure an clarity to complex evolving situations.
· Resilience and adaptability in the face of change, with a continuous improvement mindset.
· Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail while maintaining the big-picture view.
· Collaborative, pragmatic, and results-oriented with a bias for delivering tangible stakeholder value.
Reporting Structure
· Report to Senior IT manager Belgium
· Collaborates closely with business stakeholders across operations and support functions, enterprise architect, Program Manager, external vendors or partners as required.
Success Metrics & Outcomes
· On-time, on-budget delivery of key program milestones and overall program completion.
· Delivery of a complete data landscape inventory and “as-is” documentation within agreed timeframe.
· Number of high-impact quick-win reports/dashboards delivered and stakeholder satisfaction with those outputs.
· Adoption or formal approval of a pragmatic data governance framework and assigned data ownership/stewardship.
· A clear, actionable 12-24 month roadmap produced and endorsed by the Sr. IT manager and key stakeholders.
· Identification and mitigation plan for critical single points of failure and high-risk data dependencies.
· Demonstrated contribution to organizational learning through documented best practices, lessons learned, and process improvements.
Culture & Ways of Working
· Work in close partnership with IT, business, and vendor teams to foster a highly collaborative and respectful environment.
· Operate with transparency, proactively sharing information, risks, and progress to enable informed, data-driven decisions.
· Promote an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.
· Encourage continuous learning, experimentation, and professional growth for yourself and the teams you work with.
· Emphasize accountability, constructive feedback, and proactive communication to build trust and deliver sustainable results.
Additional Details
SENIORITY: Senior
START DATE: 1st March LATEST
DURATION: 6 Months
EXTENSION: TBC
CONTRACT: Freelance
MAIN OFFICE LOCATION: Brussels
ONSITE POLICY: 3 days per week
HOURS PER WEEK: 40
LANGUAGES: Fluent Dutch, French and English
INTERVIEW PROCESS: 1 stage
