VP Engineering - Data Products

Job Description: We are looking for a senior engineering leader to own the technical roadmap for our enterprise-scale data and AI infrastructure. You will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering organization, set data platform and cloud architecture direction, and act as the bridge between hands-on solution design and commercial/vendor accountability. This role combines strong architectural credibility with people leadership, governance ownership, and stakeholder management across global clients. Responsibilities Lead, grow and develop a multi-disciplinary engineering organization, providing mentorship to Development Leads and engineers, ensuring team composition is adequate, and hiring to fill gaps. Set and own the technical roadmap for the data platform, defining reference architectures and design patterns (e.g. medallion/layered architectures) that scale across multiple business units and data domains. Provide guidance, coaching and mentorship in modern data engineering practices, web application development, and best practices for diagnostics, debugging, testing, deploying, and troubleshooting. Work with Product and Engineering teams to scope, plan and estimate the technical roadmap, aligning it to broader business goals and helping to forecast delivery timescales. Evaluate solution options against business requirements and organizational standards; champion rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept work to validate designs and de-risk delivery. Provide architectural oversight and mentorship to architects and engineers; maintain high standards of design documentation and contribute to the evolution of architectural reference models. Foster constructive debates between Product, Engineering and UX teams to create scalable, client-focused solutions that solve business problems with software in the shortest sustainable lead-time. Establish and run governance frameworks for applications and data products, including certification and stewardship processes; ensure compliance with security, data privacy, and regulatory standards. Own platform security posture: access control, secrets management, naming/tagging conventions, and certification of new data products. Lead the triage and remediation of platform security or data incidents. Build visibility into cloud and compute cost drivers; drive FinOps practices to optimize spend across environments. Design repeatable onboarding processes for new tools, analysts, and integrations. Manage vendor relationships, procurement processes and commercial contract negotiations, ensuring legal and compliance requirements are met. Provide technical oversight of 3rd party supplier partnerships. Lead platform modernization and migration programs, including planning, sequencing, and risk management for large-scale technology transitions. Stay up to date with emerging technologies and industry trends, assessing their potential impact and benefit to the overall business strategy, particularly AI/agentic capabilities and data infrastructure innovations. Candidate Profile Proven experience leading data engineering or data platform teams at a senior/head level, ideally within a large or matrixed organization. Industry experience working with Data platforms is essential, with strong background in dimensional data modelling, data pipeline development and data engineering in support of web applications. Strong hands‑on background in modern cloud data platforms (e.g. Databricks, Snowflake, or equivalent) and major cloud providers (Azure, AWS, or GCP). Solid understanding of data governance, access control, and security practices in cloud environments. Experience with large-scale ETL/ELT design and migration programs. Demonstrated experience with cloud cost management and FinOps practices. Experience managing vendor contracts, procurement, and commercial negotiations. Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate effectively across technical and non-technical audiences and global/matrixed teams. A structured, specification‑driven approach to requirements and delivery, with a preference for disciplined, release‑oriented delivery. Able to demonstrate evidence of applying technology to solve business problems. Requirements Strong working knowledge of modern cloud data platforms (Azure Databricks/Spark using Python and associated frameworks, or Snowflake equivalent). Strong working knowledge of cloud storage solutions (Azure Data Lake, Blob storage, or equivalent). Strong experience of building data reporting and visualisations using PowerBI, Tableau, or equivalent tools. Strong knowledge of SQL and data modelling principles. Experience in application development with proficiency in Python or JavaScript frameworks. Strong knowledge and experience of hosting in major cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP). Familiarity with how AI/ML and agentic systems are integrated with enterprise data platforms. Solid understanding of data governance, access control, and security practices in cloud environments. Knowledge of delivering solutions using a microservice architecture with RESTful protocols and event‑driven architectures. Knowledge and experience of implementing Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery. Ability to quickly learn and apply emerging programming languages, frameworks, and platforms. Comfortable working in an agile environment. Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to explain technical solutions clearly to both technical and business audiences. Preferred Experience Experience in building applications in MERN (Mongo, Express, React, Node) using Webpack, Typescript, and GitHub. Experience with Docker and/or Kubernetes and containerized deployments (AKS). Experience with workflow orchestration tools such as Apache Airflow or n8n. Experience of code quality, test, CI/CD and package managers such as Jest, Lint, Brigade, and Helm. Experience with Kafka and event-driven architecture patterns. Experience with identity/access management integrations (Okta, Entra ID). Experience with service mesh technologies (Istio) and advanced networking patterns. Working knowledge of GraphQL APIs, ABAC solutions, and CMS platforms. Experience with C4 model architecture documentation (PlantUML or similar). TOGAF or other enterprise architecture certification. Cloud architecture certifications (AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate). Familiarity with the AdTech/MarTech ecosystem. Compensation The annual base salary range for this position is $136,000 - $171,500. 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. Benefits 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 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 more information regarding dentsu benefits, please visit Location and Work Schedule Location: Chicago Brand: Dentsu Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent 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. Equal Employment Opportunity 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. Disability Accommodation Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e‑mail View email address on click.appcast.io clicking on the link to let usknow the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you. About dentsu For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of our offering – exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We’re leading the way – helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way. #J-18808-Ljbffr Merkle Italia