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.