Senior Data Architect

Senior Data ArchitectThe Senior Data Architect is responsible for defining, governing, and leading the organization's enterprise data strategy, architecture roadmap, and cloud data modernization initiatives. This role serves as the enterprise authority for data architecture, data management, analytics platforms, and AI-ready data ecosystems, ensuring that organizational data assets are secure, trusted, accessible, and strategically aligned with business objectives. The Senior Data Architect provides technical and strategic leadership in the design, implementation, and optimization of scalable, secure, and high-performing cloud-based data solutions that support operational reporting, business intelligence, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and emerging data-driven initiatives. This position serves as the enterprise subject matter expert for Microsoft Fabric and the Microsoft Azure data ecosystem, leading the transition from legacy and on-premises data environments to modern cloud-native architectures. This position collaborates closely with executive leadership, business stakeholders, Enterprise Architecture, Information Security, Application Development, Data Engineering, Analytics, and AI teams to establish enterprise standards, governance frameworks, and long-term data strategies that maximize the value of organizational data assets. The ideal candidate combines strategic vision, enterprise architecture expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and deep technical knowledge to drive innovation, operational excellence, and business value through data.Responsibilities:Develops, maintains, and executes the enterprise data architecture strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned with organizational goals, digital transformation initiatives, and business priorities.Leads the design, implementation, and optimization of enterprise cloud data platforms utilizing Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake Storage, Power BI, and related Azure technologies.Architects scalable data warehouse, lakehouse, data mesh, data integration solutions supporting enterprise reporting, analytics, and artificial intelligence initiatives.Establishes and enforces enterprise standards, best practices, and governance policies for data architecture, data modeling, integration, metadata management, data lineage, security, and quality.Leads enterprise data modernization and migration efforts from legacy and on-premises platforms to cloud-native architectures and services.Designs and oversees enterprise ETL/ELT frameworks, data pipelines, orchestration processes, and DataOps practices to improve data delivery, reliability, and scalability.Partners with executive leadership, business stakeholders, and technology teams to translate business requirements into scalable and sustainable enterprise data solutions.Collaborates with Enterprise Architecture, Security Architecture, and Application Development teams to ensure alignment with organizational technology standards and strategic objectives.Leads architecture reviews and provides governance oversight for enterprise data solutions, ensuring compliance with approved standards and architectural principles.Provides technical leadership, mentorship, and architectural guidance to data engineers, developers, analysts, AI engineers, and project teams.Evaluates emerging technologies and industry trends, recommending innovative solutions that enhance organizational data capabilities, AI readiness, performance, and cost efficiency.Develops and promotes data-as-a-product principles to improve accessibility, usability, and business adoption of enterprise data assets.Establishes cloud cost optimization and FinOps strategies to balance performance, scalability, and operational expenditures.Ensures compliance with data governance, privacy, security, regulatory, and institutional requirements while fostering a culture of data stewardship and accountability across the organization.Manages a team of developers, assign work, coach and mentor.Acts as a technical consultant and resource for faculty research, teaching, and/or administrative projects.Leads or coordinates teams or projects for activities relating to software support and/or development.Performs other related work as needed.Minimum Qualifications:Education:Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.Work Experience:Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.Preferred Qualifications:Education:Master's degree.Experience:Minimum twelve years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise data architecture, data engineering, data warehousing, enterprise data management, analytics platforms, and cloud data solutions.Certifications:Microsoft Certified Fabric Data Engineer.Technical Skills or Knowledge:Proficient in designing, implementing, and leading enterprise cloud data platforms and modernization initiatives with Microsoft Azure environments.Expert-level knowledge of Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake Storage, Power BI, OneLake, and related Azure data services.Accomplished in enterprise data modeling methodologies including conceptual, logical, physical, dimensional, semantic, and canonical data models.Strong proficiency in SQL, Python, Spark, ETL/ELT development, data engineering, DataOps, and cloud-native data architecture practices.Proficient with enterprise integration architectures utilizing APIs, event-driven architectures, streaming technologies, and cloud-native integration services.Familiar with enterprise data quality frameworks, validation methodologies, testing strategies, reconciliation processes, and data observability practices.Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-scale cloud migration, modernization, and digital transformation initiatives.Deep understanding of data, metadata management, data lineage, data quality, security, privacy, and compliance frameworks.Seasoned professional at implementing and supporting artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and generative AI platforms through scalable data architecture design.Proficient in Azure DevOps, GitHub, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software delivery practices.Strong understanding of cloud cost management, FinOps principles, performance optimization, and operational excellence.Preferred Competencies:Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders, communicate architectural strategies, and lead cross-functional initiatives across business and technology organizations.Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills with the ability to communicate effectively at both technical and executive levels.Working Conditions:This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.Application Documents:Resume/CV (required)Cover Letter (required)Job Family: Information TechnologyRole Impact: Individual ContributorScheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5Pay Rate Type: SalaryFLSA Status: ExemptPay Range: $155,000.00 - $175,000.00Benefits Eligible: YesThe University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.Posting Statement: The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call View phone number on click.appcast.io or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.