Senior Azure Data Architect

Our client is looking for a Senior Data Architect to help design, build, and expand a leading technology platform in the financial services industry.

As a Sr. Data Architect, you will be pivotal in shaping the organization's data strategy and infrastructure. Your role involves expertly designing and managing comprehensive data architectures, with a focus on optimizing data storage, integration, and analytics. You will be responsible for implementing robust data governance, ensuring alignment with business objectives, and upholding data security and compliance standards. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential, as you will be responsible for shaping and influencing key strategic decisions throughout the business. Your efforts will be directed towards enhancing data-driven decision making, improving operational efficiency, and fostering innovation across the organization.

I. Essential Responsibilities

1. Gain a thorough understanding of their business operations and the insurance sector, working closely with leadership to enhance customer journeys.

2. Act as a key expert in data architecture, offering essential support and guidance to Engineering, Product Development, Infrastructure, and Security teams.

3. Collaborate with various business units to identify, analyze, and document opportunities for data-driven technological transformation and modernization.

4. Contribute to company-wide business solutions by providing architectural guidance, innovative management frameworks, and expertise in integrating new data technologies.

5. Oversee and approve data design documents, ensuring they align with business goals and adhere to technological best practices and data standards.

6. Facilitate the business's transition to a cloud-native environment, emphasizing scalable, secure, and cost-effective data solutions.

7. Deliver expert advice on utilizing the Microsoft Azure cloud platform for data management and services to both clients and internal teams.

8. Apply TOGAF principles in detailed modeling and management of data assets within an Enterprise Architectural Management (EAM) framework.

9. Create detailed technical specifications, data flow diagrams, and thorough documentation to support the design and implementation of data infrastructure solutions.

10. Provide mentorship and guidance to fellow architects and a diverse team of engineers, focusing on the delivery of superior technical data solutions.

II. Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or 6 years equivalent work experience.

Experience/Knowledge

· Over 6 years of experience in IT, focusing on data engineering, consulting, or architectural roles.

· A minimum of 3 years in a role centered on data solutions architecture.

· Extensive background in data infrastructure, including management of databases, data warehousing, and related software systems.

· Hands-on experience in the design, implementation, and management of cloud-based data solutions, with a strong preference for proficiency in Microsoft Azure.

· In-depth understanding of data security, cloud-based networking, and data governance principles.

· Proven ability in leading and overseeing major data-centric IT projects, guiding them from the conceptual architecture phase to a state ready for development.

· Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities, complemented by outstanding interpersonal and collaborative skills.

· Demonstrated experience in the creation and development of data architectures, specifically tailored to support and drive business goals and data strategies.

· Superior analytical capabilities, employing a methodical and structured approach to data solution design.

· Experience in or familiarity with Agile methodologies and interactive development processes in the context of data architecture and management.

Interpersonal Skills

· Desire to learn, embrace challenges, see failures as essential to mastery, learn from criticism and find lessons and inspiration in the success of others.

· Help to create a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can bring their full and authentic self, all voices are heard, and where we do our best work as a result.

· Confident and articulate in expressing ideas to a mixed audience with varying views and challenges.

· A sense of personal ownership and accountability is required, together with the ability to develop and deliver to deadlines.

· Self-motivated with a strong drive for reaching across teams and organizations to make progress collaboratively.

Technical Skills

· Advanced knowledge of Azure cloud platform and services with specialty in at least one of the following: Azure AD, Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Virtual Machines, Azure DevOps, Azure Functions, Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, or Azure Storage.

· Experience with distributed micro service-based architectures.

· Hands on experience designing asynchronous, event-driven, scalable, and fault-tolerant systems.

· Experience with Data warehouses, Lakehouse architectures, or Azure ML.

Preferred Certifications

· TOGAF 9.0

· Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203)

· Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)

· Microsoft Azure Data Analyst Associate (DP-500)