(Director of Technology) Data Architect

The Data Architect analyzes business processes, environments, and data entities to support business requirements. This individual facilitates the collection, enrichment, and development of enterprise data models and pipelines, providing a holistic view of the data needed to support marketing data science and customer experiences.
The Data Architect applies data-engineering methods, processes, tools, and techniques to evaluate customer and data-architecture requirements. They design systems supporting application software, databases, and delivery subsystems for specific applications.
This position develops data pipelines and automation solutions using both company-developed and commercial software. The Data Architect ensures that team members have the skills, training, and resources necessary to complete their assigned work. They also develop system plans and tactical strategies in coordination with the Project Management team.
The Data Architect works with business-process owners and customer-experience teams to define data needs and develop models supporting application development. They collaborate with architects, systems analysts, programmers, data scientists, and database administrators to create enterprise data solutions that improve customer experiences.
This individual provides technical leadership for major data-engineering initiatives and solves complex data challenges using creativity, technical expertise, and industry knowledge. The Data Architect must communicate recommendations and results effectively to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
The Data Architect also serves as the primary marketing data-science liaison for clients, sharing data-related expertise, process improvements, and industry best practices. This is a client-facing role that requires close attention to project scope, accuracy, and changing business needs.

Responsibilities
Lead teams of data engineers in building data solutions according to established practices and standards.
Mentor team members using servant-leadership and employee-development practices.
Promote sustainable data orchestration and coordinate with related teams and technology partners.
Provide leadership in data architecture and engineering for short-term and long-term technology plans, policies, and procedures.
Anticipate changes in systems, technology, and the industry while identifying potential problems and opportunities.
Serve as the primary technical liaison for customers.
Consult with clients regarding technology, business processes, enhancements, and best practices.
Participate with senior management in short-term and long-term technology planning.
Provide high-level analytical support and recommendations on technology-related matters.
Establish and implement standards supporting a high-quality data infrastructure.
Conduct technical reviews to ensure projects meet cost, benefit, timeline, integration, business-strategy, and technical objectives.
Demonstrate strong analytical, problem-solving, project-management, communication, and leadership abilities.

Required Skills and Experience
Strong understanding of data handling, classification, and security practices.
Experience with data collection, modeling, governance, ETL, and recovery.
Proficiency with data-science tools such as Python, Jupyter, NumPy, and R.
Experience with SQL and NoSQL database solutions.
Working knowledge of application-development languages such as Java and Scala.
Experience with large-scale data platforms such as Teradata, Hadoop, and Azure Data Lake Storage.
Understanding of cloud architecture across Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.
Experience with cloud data tools such as Azure BYODL, Synapse, Databricks, and AWS Glue.
Understanding of DataOps and the automation of data pipelines and infrastructure.
Experience designing and developing data schemas supporting API development.
Ability to assess new technologies and connect system capabilities to business objectives.
Strong process, project, and technical-system management skills.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
Ability to independently solve complex problems and recommend system upgrades, enhancements, priorities, and strategic technology directions.
Ability to quickly understand complex technical and conceptual information, identify key issues, and present clear alternatives to technical and nontechnical audiences.
Experience planning, developing, managing, and executing short-term and long-term technology plans.
Ability to build consensus among stakeholders with different priorities and perspectives.
Ability to manage multiple complex assignments, deadlines, shifting priorities, ambiguity, and change.
Technical experience with physical and logical networking, desktop and server support, database administration, development and deployment processes, and software-development methodologies.
Experience with networked systems and connectivity management.
Experience working with Unix-style command-line interfaces and secure remote-shell tools.
Ability to manage workloads, deliverables, and schedules at both the individual and team levels.
Strong task-management and delegation skills, with the ability to see projects through completion.
Ability to gather the information needed to make informed decisions and communicate those decisions to the appropriate audiences.
Ability to make timely decisions and provide clear direction for projects and client engagements.