Lead Data Architect – AI & Innovation

The Role
As Lead Data Architect – AI & Innovation at Royal IHC, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping our data and landscape. With the introduction of new data and AI-driven programs, we are entering a new phase of digital transformation. This newly created position offers you the chance to be at the forefront of that change. You'll develop and guide the strategy behind our data infrastructure, translating business needs into robust, future-proof architectures.

You'll work closely with our Cloud and Application Management Teams to ensure data is available, consistent, and actionable. Your efforts will enable users across the organization to access and analyze key insights, helping them become more data-driven in their decision-making.
 

Working Environment

You’ll join a multidisciplinary team of four other architects, two with a functional/process focus and two with a more technical/infrastructure background. Hierarchically, you’ll report to the Head of IT Data & AI, and functionally to the Lead Architect. In total, Royal IHC’s IT department consists of around 50 professionals, spread across four teams: IT Operations,  Engineering Solutions, Business Solutions & Data and IT Office. You’ll work closely with stakeholders across the business and align with senior leadership.

We foster a culture of innovation and autonomy, where you’ll have the space to pioneer and build with a strong focus on delivering value through smart technology.
 

Your Job

You are responsible for developing and aligning the overall data architecture — from core systems to user-facing platforms — with a focus on quality, consistency, and security. You evaluate which components are required to deliver requested data, determine where they reside in the infrastructure, and propose new solutions that expand our horizons. You then translate these considerations into actionable strategies for implementation by the IT delivery teams.

Moreover, your role has a strong innovation component. You’ll explore and integrate AI applications that interpret and act on data autonomously — to help automate tasks and drive smart decision-making across the organization.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing secure, scalable data architectures using Azure technologies.
• Ensuring timely and consistent data availability from core systems to applications.
• Standardizing data definitions across departments to eliminate duplication and confusion.
• Leading the setup of data integration flows via tools like Azure Data Factory and Databricks.
• Acting as a strategic partner to stakeholders by translating business needs into technical solutions.
   

Your Profile

• Higher Vocational or Academic Education
• Experience with data architecture, ideally within the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.
• Knowledgeable of different data models and databases (e.g. Postgres, SQL, NoSQL, knowledge graphs)
• Hands-on knowledge of ETL processes, Azure Data Factory, Databricks, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and Python.
• A background in software development, or already working as an architect ready to take a more strategic, exploratory role.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to functionally lead implementation teams.
• Comfortable navigating DevOps environments and working across the full development lifecycle.
• Interest or experience in AI-driven solutions.
• Fluent in English; Dutch is a plus.

Royal IHC offers you: 

• A gross monthly salary between €5700,- and €8110,- +8% holiday allowance (based on a fulltime working week).  
• Good work/life balance with 40 vacation days for full-time employment with the option to buy or sell (additional) leave.  
• The possibility to work from home with associated expense allowance and/or to perform the work on the basis of flexible working hours (depending on the position).  
• An average salary pension scheme in which matters are properly arranged in the event of accidental death, incapacity for work or unemployment.  
• Participation (on a voluntary basis) in the Social Fund, on the basis of which care and related costs are reimbursed that are not covered by your health insurance.  
• Discount on VGZ's additional healthcare insurance.   
• Unlimited sporting in our own fitness room (in exchange for the sustainable employability day). 
• € 0,21 per kilometer commuting allowance.  
• A profit-sharing scheme.