Freelance (Contract) Data Architect

Position Summary

This is a contract (vendor) position that will complete approximately 100 hours of work over a 2-3 month period. The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) is undertaking a comprehensive rebuild of its internal database systems and public-facing content workflows as part of a broader digital transformation project. The aim is to modernize data management, improve cross-departmental workflows, and ensure a scalable, sustainable infrastructure for managing exhibitions, film screenings, events and historical programming data.

Custom Scope

Assess existing data structures (primarily Drupal 7 and FileMaker). Recommend a future-facing platform (or stack of tools) for managing internal data. Help scope a clean, scalable, relational data model that supports integration with a new CMS. Potentially support or oversee initial stages of implementation or hand-off to a developer.

Key Deliverables include data audit report & needs summary, preliminary and final data schema (relational model), platform recommendation brief with pros/cons, ERD (entity relationship diagram) and glossary of fields, migration readiness summary (including risks and gaps), and recommendations for implementation timeline and development needs.

Responsibilities

  • Discovery & Audit:
    • Conduct a full audit of BAMPFA’s existing data environment (Drupal, FileMaker, spreadsheets, etc.)
    • Map current content types, entities, and relationships across departments (Film, Art, Education)
  • Data Strategy & Platform Recommendation:
    • Design a relational data schema for film, event and art programming.
    • Recommend tools or platforms for long-term data management (e.g. Airtable, custom SQL solution, etc.)
    • Identify data normalization, schema, migration, and integration needs.
  • Planning & Documentation:
    • Deliver a proposed data model / Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD).
    • Create documentation for proposed schema and workflow.
    • Support development of the Statement of Work (SOW) of developmental process for database build phase.
  • Assist with or oversee data migration planning and early-stage development/configuration. other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

  • Experience designing or migrating institutional databases, ideally within arts, archives, or education.
  • Strong understanding of relational databases, content modeling, and platform integration.
  • Familiarity with Drupal CMS, FileMaker, etc.
  • Ability to prepare complex data models unassisted.
  • Ability to understand and model complex knowledge-intensive processes such as scholarly and research processes.
  • Experience in data integration and the specification of data services.
  • Proven modeling and information design skills.
  • Good negotiation skills.
  • Familiarity with highly complex logical data design and data mapping or data conversion.
  • Familiarity with highly complex data quality and governance issues and requirements.
  • Advanced knowledge of data management systems, practices and standards.
  • Demonstrated advanced problem-solving skills. Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines.
  • Advanced analytical and design skills, including the ability to abstract information requirements from real-world processes to understand information flows in computer systems.
  • Ability to represent relevant information in abstract models. Critical thinking skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience consulting or working with cultural institutions, non-profits, or universities

Payment

This is a “freelance” vendor position and NOT an employment opportunity with the University of California. This affiliation is not eligible for benefits or employment.

How to Apply

Fill out the linked questionnaire and be sure to attach your cover letter, resume and portfolio.