Technical Analyst

Clinical Data Platform Technical Lead

Freelance/Consultant Opportunity | Belgium (Hybrid)

Please note: This role is VDI-only. No laptop or equipment will be provided.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Clinical Data Platform Technical Lead to support the delivery of a new enterprise Clinical Data Platform. This individual will act as the technical authority on the client side, providing architectural oversight, governance, and technical leadership throughout the implementation lifecycle.

This is not a traditional Technical Analyst role. The position is best suited to a Data Platform Architect, Technical Lead, or Clinical Data Platform Architect with expertise in cloud data platforms, governance frameworks, and large-scale data ecosystem implementations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review and challenge technical designs and architecture proposals
• Ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture and governance standards
• Provide technical leadership throughout platform implementation and deployment
• Identify, manage, and mitigate technical risks and dependencies
• Facilitate technical discussions with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Oversee technical areas including:
• Azure cloud environments
• Databricks
• Unity Catalog
• CI/CD pipelines
• Release management
• Metadata management
• Data lineage
• Data contracts
• Collaborate with architecture, security, cloud, and data governance teams to drive successful delivery

Required Experience

• Strong Data Platform Architecture experience
• Deep expertise in Azure Cloud Architecture
• Advanced knowledge of:
• Databricks
• Unity Catalog
• Azure Data Services
• Data Integration Patterns
• Experience implementing Data Governance frameworks
• Strong Metadata Management expertise
• Knowledge of Data Lineage and Data Contracts
• Experience managing delivery risks within complex programmes
• Proven technical leadership experience
• Vendor and third-party management experience
• Strong database architecture background
• Good understanding of enterprise architecture principles

Ideal Profile

You may currently be working as a:

• Clinical Data Platform Architect
• Data Platform Architect
• Azure Data Architect
• Technical Lead
• Enterprise Data Architect

The ideal candidate combines:

• Clinical data domain knowledge
• Azure Data Platform architecture expertise
• Databricks experience
• Governance, metadata, and lineage implementation experience

Candidates who have previously architected or implemented a Clinical Data Platform, Clinical Data Layer, or similar governed data environment within life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or clinical research will be particularly attractive.

Desirable Experience

• Pharmaceutical, biotech, or clinical research industry experience
• Clinical Data Platform architecture
• CDISC standards knowledge
• GxP-regulated environment experience
• Clinical data governance expertise

While clinical domain knowledge is highly desirable, exceptional candidates with strong data platform architecture experience will also be considered.

Experience Required

• Typically 8+ years of relevant experience
• Strong candidates with fewer years of experience will be considered where expertise is clearly demonstrated

Location & Working Model

• Hybrid working arrangement
• Belgium-based professionals preferred
• Approximately two days per week on-site
• Remote candidates may be considered for highly specialised profiles, provided they can attend critical workshops and stakeholder sessions when required

Contract Details

• Start: ASAP
• Duration: Until December 2027
• Full-time commitment required (5 days per week)
• Part-time arrangements cannot be considered

Language Requirements

• English mandatory
• Additional European languages are advantageous but not required

Interview Process

• Initial Microsoft Teams interview
• Technical interview(s) as appropriate
• Potential final face-to-face meeting

If you have a track record of designing and governing enterprise-scale Azure and Databricks data platforms, and enjoy providing technical leadership within complex regulated environments, we'd be interested in hearing from you.