Lead Data Architect

About the position

The Lead Data Architect will play a pivotal role in defining how data is stored, consumed, integrated, and managed across various entities within the Bank. This position is responsible for managing all assessments, inspections, designs, implementations, and retirements of the Bank's data architecture, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and adherence to the Bank's information and security policies. As the first mover in formalizing the Bank's data architecture, the Lead Data Architect will envision, rationalize, design, and deliver the architecture and standards necessary for effective data fabric management across the Enterprise. In this role, the Lead Data Architect will provide strong influence and guidance to management regarding Enterprise data efforts, IT control policies, and operational procedures for all data technology products and services. The architect will develop and maintain the Enterprise Data Architecture and Strategy, ensuring that it aligns with the business goals and objectives of the organization. This includes leading the design and overseeing the implementation of Data Warehousing (DW) and Operational Data Store (ODS) architecture and standards, as well as creating physical and logical data models, schemas, and structures that support data storage, retrieval, and analysis. The Lead Data Architect will also monitor data workloads, providing performance tuning and optimization recommendations to support effective production systems management. Collaboration with cross-functional teams across technology and business systems will be essential, as the architect will work with technology peers and vendors to optimize data management results while planning for growth and product/data migrations. Continuous support of audit practices and business continuity procedures will be required, including participation in recovery efforts as needed. Additionally, the architect will define Enterprise data standards, policies, and procedures to ensure data quality, integrity, and security. They will evaluate and select Enterprise data management tools and technologies to support data architecture initiatives and provide guidance to data engineers, analysts, and other stakeholders on best practices in data architecture. Staying informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in data architecture and management will be crucial for success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Define how data is stored, consumed, integrated, and managed by different entities.
• Manage assessments, inspections, designs, implementations, and retirements for the Bank's data architecture.
• Envision, rationalize, design, and deliver the architecture and standards for data fabric management for the Enterprise.
• Provide management guidance regarding Enterprise data efforts, IT Control policies, and operational procedures for data technology products and services.
• Develop and maintain the Enterprise Data Architecture and Strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals and objectives.
• Lead the design and oversee the implementation of DW and ODS architecture and standards, physical and logical data models, schemas, and structures.
• Monitor data workloads and provide performance tuning and optimization prescriptions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across technology and business systems to optimize data management results.
• Deliver continuous support of audit practices and develop self-service audit capabilities.
• Support business continuity practices and procedures, providing BCP planning for backup & recovery requirements.
• Define Enterprise data standards, policies, and procedures to ensure data quality, integrity, and security.
• Evaluate and select Enterprise data management tools and technologies to support data architecture initiatives.
• Provide guidance and support to data engineers, analysts, and other stakeholders on data architecture best practices.
• Monitor and optimize database performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in data architecture and management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-8 years of experience in data architecture, database design, and data management, preferably in the banking or financial services industry.
• Strong knowledge of data modeling concepts, techniques, and tools, such as ERwin, ER/Studio, or similar.
• Proficiency in database technologies, including SQL, NoSQL, and cloud-based data platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Experience with data governance, data security, and regulatory compliance requirements, such as GDPR, CCPA, and SOX.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business terms.
• Relevant certifications, such as Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), are highly desirable.