VP, Data Architecture & Solutions

Job Description:

Role Summary

Reports to: EVP, Data Experience

Help build the foundational data infrastructure that powers everything Dentsu's Decisioning practice delivers. In this role, you will scale our proven Azure/Databricks/Python/PySpark stack across client engagements and design the architecture that supports our agentic data systems, third-party analytics partners, and AI orchestration tools.

This is an architecture-first leadership role: you create the patterns, your team builds the platform, and every data product in the practice relies on what you design. Your focus is taking what works and making it consistently scalable across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the enterprise data architecture strategy across Azure, Databricks, ADLS, PySpark, and Power BI-defining reference patterns used across client engagements.
• Lead a team of seven (3 onshore engineers, 3 DGS engineers, and 1 Director, Staff Data Engineer), setting clear technical standards and architecture patterns.
• Design and optimize the data foundation powering Genie spaces and agentic workflows, ensuring AI systems have fast, governed access to trusted data across Databricks and ADLS.
• Ensure the data foundation is optimized for agentic consumption by partnering with the AI Agents pillar to define data contracts, access patterns, and performance requirements across Search, Social, and Programmatic channels.
• Define reusable pipeline patterns and data quality frameworks that scale across Dentsu X, iProspect, and Carat while supporting agency-specific needs.
• Partner with Data Science to support data requirements for MMM, RBA, incrementality, and forecasting models.
• Own and maintain cross-agency taxonomy standards, including naming conventions, data contracts, and the metadata layer enabling unified reporting and AI consumption.
• Manage cloud infrastructure costs across Azure and Databricks, optimizing compute, storage, and pipeline spend while meeting performance SLAs.
• Recruit and develop platform engineers who build for reuse and think in systems.
• Establish and maintain data governance and security standards, including PII handling, access controls, and compliance frameworks across client environments.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in data engineering and architecture with increasing leadership responsibilities.
• Deep expertise in Databricks, Apache Spark, and modern lakehouse architecture.
• Strong experience with the Azure ecosystem (including ADLS and ADF).
• Demonstrated experience building and leading data engineering teams (5+ direct or indirect reports).
• Expert knowledge of PySpark, data modeling, and enterprise-scale transformation frameworks.
• Experience designing multi-tenant data platforms supporting multiple clients or business units.
• Strong understanding of data governance, data quality frameworks, and taxonomy management.
• Ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in media agency or advertising technology environments.
• Familiarity with Adverity or similar data integration platforms.
• Experience with Power BI at enterprise scale (semantic models, governance, deployment pipelines).
• Background scaling a proven single-client stack into a multi-client or multi-agency model.
• Experience managing offshore engineering teams.
• Knowledge of media data sources (CM360, SA360, Meta, TTD, programmatic exchanges).

The annual base salary range for this position is $136,000 - $200,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. Additionally, this position is eligible for discretionary incentive compensation.

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we're connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office.

Benefits available with this position include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance,

• Life insurance,

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance,

• 401k,

• Flexible paid time off,

• At least 15 paid holidays per year,

• Paid sick and safe leave, and

• Paid parental leave.

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit

To begin the application process, please click on the "Apply" button at the top of this job posting. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for next steps.

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Location:
New York

Brand:
Dentsu Media

Time Type:
Full time

Contract Type:
Permanent

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.


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