Job Description
**Senior Data Architect**
**Department:** IT & Transformation
### I. Purpose and Objective
Our client seeks a Senior Data Architect to play a crucial role in designing, building, and enhancing a premier technology platform in the financial services sector. This role demands a strategic thinker capable of shaping the organization's data strategy and infrastructure to support business objectives, improve operational efficiency, and drive innovation.
### II. Essential Responsibilities
- Understand our client's business operations and goals, particularly in enhancing customer journeys in the insurance sector.
- Serve as a primary expert in data architecture, supporting Engineering, Product Development, Infrastructure, and Security teams with guidance and expertise.
- Lead efforts in identifying and documenting opportunities for data-driven technological advancements and modernization across business units.
- Ensure data architecture designs align with business objectives, technological best practices, and compliance standards.
- Drive the organization's transition to a cloud-native environment, focusing on Microsoft Azure for scalable, secure, and cost-effective data solutions.
- Mentor and provide technical leadership to a diverse team, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
### III. Qualifications
#### Education
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent professional experience.
#### Experience/Knowledge
- 6+ years in IT, with a focus on data engineering, consulting, or architectural roles, including 3+ years in data solutions architecture.
- Deep understanding of data infrastructure, cloud-based data solutions, data security, and governance principles, with a preference for Microsoft Azure expertise.
- Proven experience leading major data-centric IT projects from conceptualization to development readiness.
- Familiarity with Agile methodologies and a structured approach to data solution design.
#### Interpersonal Skills
- A commitment to learning, embracing challenges, and working collaboratively across teams and organizations.
- A strong sense of personal accountability, able to meet deadlines and contribute to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
#### Technical Skills
- Advanced knowledge of Azure cloud services, distributed architectures, data warehousing, Lakehouse architectures, and Azure ML.
- Experience with data security, GDPR, cloud networking, and data governance.
#### Preferred Certifications
- TOGAF 9.0, Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203), Data Scientist Associate (DP-100), Data Analyst Associate (DP-500), Cosmos DB Developer Specialty (DP-420).
### IV. Reports To
- Chief Architect
### Role OverviewThe Senior Data Architect will be instrumental in planning and executing data structures, policies, and standards. This high-profile role includes stewardship over all data needs, from compliance through implementation, and requires expertise in SQL databases, potential familiarity with graph databases, and a strong understanding of GDPR and other regulatory standards. With a focus on optimizing existing databases and leading the shift towards a cloud-native architecture, this individual will guide the organization through significant transformation efforts, including enhancing data security standards and streamlining data access and indexing. As part of a new and growing team, the Senior Data Architect will define the path forward for our client's data management practices, ensuring alignment with broader company standards and strategic objectives.
