About this role
🚀 ABOUT UNITY ADVISORY
Unity Advisory is a next-generation CFO advisory firm, launched in 2025 with the backing of Warburg Pincus and up to $300 million in committed funding. We’re building a modern alternative to the Big Firms — agile, partner-led and technology-powered.
We work with private equity-backed and upper mid-market businesses (typically £150m–£1.5bn revenue) across the full CFO agenda — finance operations, tax, deals, digital transformation and deal readiness. We do not provide audit services, allowing us to remain independent and fully outcome-focused.
💡 AI and data are at our core. We are AI-born, not AI-retrofitted.
🧠 THE ROLE
We’re looking for a senior, commercially sharp Data Architect to help design and scale Unity’s AI-native, Databricks-powered data architecture — first internally, then with clients. This role is deliberately split into two high-impact phases:
🔧 PHASE 1 – INTERNAL ARCHITECTURE & PLATFORM DESIGN
Build the foundation. Define how Unity thinks about data, AI and scalable architecture.
🌍 PHASE 2 – CLIENT-FACING DATA & AI ADVISORY
Take it to market. Help CFOs transform their data landscapes into AI-enabled engines of insight and value.
👉 This is a rare opportunity to design from first principles and then apply it in real-world, high-value situations.
🏗️ PHASE 1: INTERNAL DATA & AI ARCHITECTURE (BUILD MODE)
You’ll shape the backbone of Unity’s technology platform — the layer that powers everything we do.
1. Define Unity’s Enterprise Data Architecture
- Design a modern Databricks lakehouse architecture from the ground up
- Establish principles across:
- Structured & unstructured data
- Delta Lake storage & processing
- Medallion architecture (🟤 bronze → ⚪ silver → 🟡 gold)
- Vector search & retrieval layers
- AI interaction patterns
Define scalable ingestion across batch + streaming sources
2. Architect AI-Ready Foundations
- Build curated, semantic data layers to power:
- 🤖 LLM-driven extraction & reasoning
- 📚 Internal knowledge systems
- ⚙️ AI copilots & workflow automation
- Leverage the Databricks ecosystem:
- Unity Catalog (governance)
- MLflow (model lifecycle)
- Vector search / embeddings (RAG use cases)
- Ensure data is structured for retrievability, explainability and control
- Partner closely with engineers to turn architecture into production reality
3. Governance & Control by Design 🔐
- Establish robust governance using Unity Catalog
- Embed:
- Data quality
- Lineage
- Auditability
- Design for privacy, compliance and sensitive financial environments
- Ensure AI systems are grounded in trusted, governed data
4. Create Reusable Assets ♻️
- Develop reusable lakehouse reference architectures
- Codify best practices across finance + AI
- Contribute directly to Unity’s long-term product vision
👉 This phase = credibility, clarity and building something that actually works.
🌍 PHASE 2: CLIENT-FACING DATA ARCHITECTURE & ADVISORY
Once the platform is proven, you step into a more external, high-impact role.
1. Architect Modern CFO Data Environments
- Design Databricks-based lakehouse architectures for finance transformation
- Integrate ERP, FP&A, BI and consolidation systems
- Deliver scalable models for:
- 📊 CFO dashboards
- 📈 Performance analytics
- 💰 Cash & working capital insight
- 🧾 Tax & compliance reporting
2. Embed AI into the Office of the CFO 🤖
- Design AI-ready platforms supporting:
- Text2SQL & automated reporting
- Intelligent document extraction
- AI-assisted forecasting
- RAG-based insight generation
- Help clients move from fragmented data → unified lakehouse platforms
- Bring practical, grounded AI thinking (not hype)
3. Support Deals & Transformations ⚡
- Architect data environments for:
- Due diligence
- Carve-outs & integrations
- Post-deal reporting
- Rationalise messy, fragmented data estates into something usable
- Operate confidently in high-pressure, high-stakes environments
4. Be a Senior Architectural Voice 🎯
- Work directly with CFOs, CIOs and PE stakeholders
- Translate architecture into commercial outcomes
- Shape proposals and data strategy
- Help position Unity as a leader in AI-enabled CFO advisory
🧩 WHAT YOU BRING
🏗️ DATA ARCHITECTURE EXPERTISE
- 8+ years in enterprise data architecture or modern cloud platforms
- Strong experience with Databricks / lakehouse architectures (or similar)
- Deep knowledge of:
- Delta Lake & medallion design
- Semantic modelling
- Governance (Unity Catalog or equivalent)
- Data pipelines (batch + streaming)
- Experience designing AI-ready architectures (LLMs, RAG, etc.)
💼 FINANCE & COMMERCIAL UNDERSTANDING
- Familiarity with ERP, FP&A, reporting, tax or deal environments
- Ability to connect architecture → CFO priorities
- Strong commercial judgement (speed vs cost vs scalability)
🤖 AI & MODERN TECH AWARENESS
- Understanding of how LLMs interact with enterprise data
- Familiarity with embeddings, vector search, hybrid retrieval
- Exposure to Databricks AI/ML ecosystem (MLflow, feature stores, etc.)
- Balanced view of AI — opportunity and risk
🌱 LEADERSHIP & CULTURAL FIT
- Comfortable in a fast-moving, build-focused environment
- Clear communicator — can simplify complexity
- Aligned to Unity’s values:
- Straightforward
- Commercial
- Open
- Experimental
- Team-first
🌟 WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
Unity is deliberately shifting from traditional advisory → technology-enabled, scalable delivery.
This role sits right at the centre of that shift.
You will help us:
- 🚀 Embed AI into CFO advisory
- 🧱 Build scalable, governed lakehouse platforms
- 📈 Improve quality and consistency across engagements
- 🔁 Enable recurring, product-led revenue
- 🏆 Establish Unity as a category leader
💥 This is not a maintenance role.
It’s a build, shape and scale role — with real influence on how a modern advisory firm is created from scratch.
Unity Advisory is a next-generation CFO advisory firm, launched in 2025 with the backing of Warburg Pincus and up to $300 million in committed funding. We’re building a modern alternative to the Big Firms — agile, partner-led and technology-powered.
We work with private equity-backed and upper mid-market businesses (typically £150m–£1.5bn revenue) across the full CFO agenda — finance operations, tax, deals, digital transformation and deal readiness. We do not provide audit services, allowing us to remain independent and fully outcome-focused.
💡 AI and data are at our core. We are AI-born, not AI-retrofitted.
🧠 THE ROLE
We’re looking for a senior, commercially sharp Data Architect to help design and scale Unity’s AI-native, Databricks-powered data architecture — first internally, then with clients. This role is deliberately split into two high-impact phases:
🔧 PHASE 1 – INTERNAL ARCHITECTURE & PLATFORM DESIGN
Build the foundation. Define how Unity thinks about data, AI and scalable architecture.
🌍 PHASE 2 – CLIENT-FACING DATA & AI ADVISORY
Take it to market. Help CFOs transform their data landscapes into AI-enabled engines of insight and value.
👉 This is a rare opportunity to design from first principles and then apply it in real-world, high-value situations.
🏗️ PHASE 1: INTERNAL DATA & AI ARCHITECTURE (BUILD MODE)
You’ll shape the backbone of Unity’s technology platform — the layer that powers everything we do.
1. Define Unity’s Enterprise Data Architecture
- Design a modern Databricks lakehouse architecture from the ground up
- Establish principles across:
- Structured & unstructured data
- Delta Lake storage & processing
- Medallion architecture (🟤 bronze → ⚪ silver → 🟡 gold)
- Vector search & retrieval layers
- AI interaction patterns
Define scalable ingestion across batch + streaming sources
2. Architect AI-Ready Foundations
- Build curated, semantic data layers to power:
- 🤖 LLM-driven extraction & reasoning
- 📚 Internal knowledge systems
- ⚙️ AI copilots & workflow automation
- Leverage the Databricks ecosystem:
- Unity Catalog (governance)
- MLflow (model lifecycle)
- Vector search / embeddings (RAG use cases)
- Ensure data is structured for retrievability, explainability and control
- Partner closely with engineers to turn architecture into production reality
3. Governance & Control by Design 🔐
- Establish robust governance using Unity Catalog
- Embed:
- Data quality
- Lineage
- Auditability
- Design for privacy, compliance and sensitive financial environments
- Ensure AI systems are grounded in trusted, governed data
4. Create Reusable Assets ♻️
- Develop reusable lakehouse reference architectures
- Codify best practices across finance + AI
- Contribute directly to Unity’s long-term product vision
👉 This phase = credibility, clarity and building something that actually works.
🌍 PHASE 2: CLIENT-FACING DATA ARCHITECTURE & ADVISORY
Once the platform is proven, you step into a more external, high-impact role.
1. Architect Modern CFO Data Environments
- Design Databricks-based lakehouse architectures for finance transformation
- Integrate ERP, FP&A, BI and consolidation systems
- Deliver scalable models for:
- 📊 CFO dashboards
- 📈 Performance analytics
- 💰 Cash & working capital insight
- 🧾 Tax & compliance reporting
2. Embed AI into the Office of the CFO 🤖
- Design AI-ready platforms supporting:
- Text2SQL & automated reporting
- Intelligent document extraction
- AI-assisted forecasting
- RAG-based insight generation
- Help clients move from fragmented data → unified lakehouse platforms
- Bring practical, grounded AI thinking (not hype)
3. Support Deals & Transformations ⚡
- Architect data environments for:
- Due diligence
- Carve-outs & integrations
- Post-deal reporting
- Rationalise messy, fragmented data estates into something usable
- Operate confidently in high-pressure, high-stakes environments
4. Be a Senior Architectural Voice 🎯
- Work directly with CFOs, CIOs and PE stakeholders
- Translate architecture into commercial outcomes
- Shape proposals and data strategy
- Help position Unity as a leader in AI-enabled CFO advisory
🧩 WHAT YOU BRING
🏗️ DATA ARCHITECTURE EXPERTISE
- 8+ years in enterprise data architecture or modern cloud platforms
- Strong experience with Databricks / lakehouse architectures (or similar)
- Deep knowledge of:
- Delta Lake & medallion design
- Semantic modelling
- Governance (Unity Catalog or equivalent)
- Data pipelines (batch + streaming)
- Experience designing AI-ready architectures (LLMs, RAG, etc.)
💼 FINANCE & COMMERCIAL UNDERSTANDING
- Familiarity with ERP, FP&A, reporting, tax or deal environments
- Ability to connect architecture → CFO priorities
- Strong commercial judgement (speed vs cost vs scalability)
🤖 AI & MODERN TECH AWARENESS
- Understanding of how LLMs interact with enterprise data
- Familiarity with embeddings, vector search, hybrid retrieval
- Exposure to Databricks AI/ML ecosystem (MLflow, feature stores, etc.)
- Balanced view of AI — opportunity and risk
🌱 LEADERSHIP & CULTURAL FIT
- Comfortable in a fast-moving, build-focused environment
- Clear communicator — can simplify complexity
- Aligned to Unity’s values:
- Straightforward
- Commercial
- Open
- Experimental
- Team-first
🌟 WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
Unity is deliberately shifting from traditional advisory → technology-enabled, scalable delivery.
This role sits right at the centre of that shift.
You will help us:
- 🚀 Embed AI into CFO advisory
- 🧱 Build scalable, governed lakehouse platforms
- 📈 Improve quality and consistency across engagements
- 🔁 Enable recurring, product-led revenue
- 🏆 Establish Unity as a category leader
💥 This is not a maintenance role.
It’s a build, shape and scale role — with real influence on how a modern advisory firm is created from scratch.
Tech stack
DatabricksLLM
About Unity Advisory
Unity Advisory is hiring for the data architect role. NewJob aggregates active openings directly from Unity Advisory's applicant tracking system, so this listing is current.
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