Freelance Python Data Analysis Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

This is a unique opportunity to join Vanguard's intermediary business Data team and empower trustworthy, high-quality, and compliant data driving strategic business decisions and actions. Data is a strong enabler to all we do and we look for a driven and senior, experienced data management/data governance individual to drive the business vision and mission. This individual will contribute both strategically in cross-functional partnerships and through tangible progress with a modernized data management platform. Ideal candidate will possess strong data quality, metadata, architectural principles, and technical skills (SQL, Python, AI) along with exceptional understanding of governance principles and requirements to ensure data meets or exceeds standards. The candidate will have the opportunity to translate broad data management best practices and governance objectives into actionable plans, define metrics and evaluate progress, and deliver measurable outcomes readouts to Sr Leadership.

Skills needed to be proficient in this role:

1. Technical Data Management & Data Governance Expertise

The candidate must possess strong data management, governance, analytical, and technical skills to deliver high-quality, trustworthy data through adherence to data governance principles on data quality, metadata management, data lineage, authoritative data sourcing, and other requirements. This skill will be used to help establish, educate on, and audit governance controls. Experience with SQL, Python, data analysis tools, and modern data platforms (e.g., Databricks, cloud data environments) is highly desirable.

2. Strategic Thinking and Operational Execution

The candidate must be able to translate broad governance objectives into actionable plans and deliver measurable outcomes. This includes identifying and prioritizing governance opportunities, managing remediation efforts, tracking risks and issues, implementing governance processes, defining metrics, and ensuring sustainable execution of governance programs. The role requires balancing long-term governance strategy with day-to-day operational delivery.

3. Stakeholder Management, Influence, and Change Leadership

Success in this role requires the ability to partner effectively with senior management, business leaders, data stewards, technology teams, risk partners, privacy teams, and analysts to drive adoption of governance practices. The analyst will facilitate governance discussions, resolve data ownership questions, influence decision-making, communicate risks and recommendations, and build alignment around data standards and priorities across multiple functions.

Nice to haves

Core Responsibilities

1. Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) of data sets for a given industry, data storage systems, and the operational processes being supported. Maintains awareness of changing business needs to create appropriate project solutions.

2. Leads process design efforts to support new offerings, business initiatives, or improvement projects. Performs root cause analyses of complex data errors. Identifies opportunities to eliminate future occurrences, prioritizes initiatives, mitigates risk, leverages technology, and recommends short- and long-term solutions for issues.

3. Focuses on improving Data Management's service offer and communicates with stakeholders and management to obtain their input and buy-in as appropriate. Recommends, coordinates, documents, and implements changes that will enhance work-flows and procedures. Integrates new or existing technologies into work-flows and communicates to all team members. Analyzes impacts and prepares environment for change.

4. Builds and maintains relationships with internal and external partners to define data requirements, develop project specifications, and execute data projects to ensure that the expected outputs are delivered. Provides validation and approval of project deliverables.

5. Identifies solutions independently and with input from internal and external partners, external vendors, and industry contacts to enable best-in-class data management practices, scalability, and cost effectiveness. Leads and consults on new projects to ensure operational readiness upon implementation into the live environment.

6. Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Strong experience with data quality, metadata, architecture standards.

• Minimum of five years of related work experience.

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience. Advanced degree (MBA, MS in Analytics, etc.) preferred

• Experience working with Databricks, cloud data platforms, or enterprise metadata/governance tools such as Collibra.

• Proficient with SQL and Python and experience working with large, complex datasets

• Strong decision-making, prioritization, communication, and project management skills, especially when balancing competing governance initiatives.

• Proven track record of operating independently in very dynamic and fast pace environment.

• Knowledge of and experience with AI capabilities and data readiness requirements for advanced analytics and AI use cases.

• Familiarity with Agile delivery methodologies and cross-functional operating models.

• Experience supporting audit, risk, compliance, privacy, or regulatory initiatives.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission-we're on a mission.

To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.