Director, Data Engineering & Cloud Data Platforms

Director Of Data Engineering

Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth.

Practice Overview: Ankura's Data & Technology Practice includes client services in the areas of Digital Transformation, Data Science, Information Technology, and Cyber Security. Our Digital Transformation practice helps our clients rapidly modernize across levels of digital maturity.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a Director of Data Engineering to lead the design and delivery of cloud-based data platforms across multiple client engagements. This role combines deep technical expertise with delivery ownership, architectural decision-making, and team leadership. The Director will act as a trusted advisor, ensuring data platforms are scalable, reliable, and aligned with business strategy.

This role is ideally remote based in Buenos Aires but other locations within Argentina are possible. This position will be employed via a 3rd party payroll and will be Director level equivalent within Ankura's structure.

Responsibilities:

• Define and own the architecture of cloud-based data platforms across client engagements.
• Lead large-scale ETL and data platform implementations using tools such as Databricks, Snowflake, and equivalent technologies.
• Establish reference architectures, delivery standards, and engineering best practices.
• Oversee ETL orchestration strategies using tools such as Data Factory, Airflow, or enterprise ETL platforms.
• Estimate, plan, and govern delivery across multiple projects and workstreams.
• Partner with client stakeholders to align data platform design with business objectives.
• Mentor, coach, and develop data engineers and technical leads.
• Ensure platforms meet expectations for scalability, reliability, security, and cost efficiency.
• Support pre-sales activities, including solution design and technical estimates.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in data engineering, with significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise-grade cloud data platforms.
• Deep expertise with ETL / orchestration tools (e.g., Data Factory, Airflow, Informatica, or similar).
• Strong experience with analytics and processing platforms such as Databricks, Snowflake, or equivalents.
• Demonstrated ability to estimate, plan, and govern complex delivery programs.
• Strong understanding of data architecture, governance, and security principles.
• Excellent communication skills and experience in senior, client-facing roles.
• Strong business acumen and results-oriented mindset.
• Preferred to have experience leading multi-team or multi-vendor delivery models
• Preferred to have exposure to advanced analytics, machine learning pipelines, or real-time processing.
• Cloud or platform certifications (any major provider) is preferred
• Must be fluent in English