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.
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:
Build the foundation. Define how Unity thinks about data, AI and scalable architecture.
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.
You’ll shape the backbone of Unity’s technology platform — the layer that powers everything we do.
1. Define Unity’s Enterprise Data Architecture
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:
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.
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:
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:
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
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.)
Familiarity with ERP, FP&A, reporting, tax or deal environments
Ability to connect architecture CFO priorities
Strong commercial judgement (speed vs cost vs scalability)
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
Comfortable in a fast-moving, build-focused environment
Clear communicator — can simplify complexity
Aligned to Unity’s values:
Straightforward
Commercial
Open
Experimental
Team-first
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.
