Senior Data Architect

Our client is a hugely popular, Fortune 500 company seeking a senior level DATA ARCHITECT for an excellent CONTRACT TO HIRE opportunity.

The Data Architect provides advanced technical support in the research, experimentation, business analysis and use of systems technology including architecture, integration capabilities and database management. S/He will serve as the liaison between data consumer representatives and data solution development, integration and governance teams. The candidate will also inform and interpret data project sponsors. Must understand how data is, or will be, used and implication on people, processes, products, and technology.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

- Identify user requirements by researching and analysing user needs, preferences, objectives, and working methods; studying how users consume content, including process modelling, data categorization and labeling; meeting with focus groups.
- Create data models, solution designs and data architecture documentation for complex information systems.
- Own and manage all changes to the data models.
- Articulate reasoning for data model design decisions and incorporate team member feedback to produce the highest quality data models possible.
- Understand the complete data flows and lineage from source systems to destination systems.
- Consult on projects and review the data architecture designs of others.
- Create and enforce data standards and governance.
- Provide data and technical leadership and serve as coach and mentor to technical team members.
- Work with enterprise architecture on data management standards, current state and future state architecture.
- Work with project and application teams to ensure they understand and comply with data quality standards, architectural guidelines, and designs.
- Work with functional users to resolve issues, confirm the applicability of design alternatives, identify and recommend cost effective options, and address user concerns.
- Complete tasks on time and in budget.
- Provide technical and data leadership to the application development group, IT and the enterprise including being cognizant of the future direction of systems, how that direction will impact the enterprise, and how future and current systems can be exploited for the benefit of the enterprise.
- Work closely with other IT groups to coordinate current and future plans and activities, including coordination and technical assistance to facilitate specific development projects that involve the computing environment, the coordination of software upgrades and the installation of new products.
- Recognize and identify potential areas where existing policies and procedures requires change, or where new ones need to be developed, especially regarding future business expansion.
- May lead project teams and carry supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Corporate and the IT organization's policies.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

- BS or BA degree in a related field OR significant relevant work experience
- Relevant vendor/professional certifications a plus
- 10+ years in information technology
- 5+ years in architecting large enterprise class solutions
- 5+ years as a Technical Lead responsible for application database design and architecture
- Ability to lead the design and development of large data warehouse and data movement projects
- Proficiency in data integration design and patterns, logical and physical data architecture and data modelling for enterprise applications, Operational Data Stores, data marts, data warehouses and Business Intelligence systems
- Proficiency in enterprise data modelling standards and tools such as Erwin
- Proficiency in full life cycle development on multiple platforms/solution types
- Experience in creating and implementing data architecture standards for master data management, data quality, data dictionary, meta data and data security
- Experience in DB2, Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server
- Experience in database programming using multiple SQL dialects or query optimization, indexing and performance tuning, and design for performance
- Experience working with database deployment architecture that includes clustering, failover, high availability and replication
- Experience working with ETL tools such as Ab Initio
- Experience working with MDM (Master Data Management) tools
- Experience with designing, programming, and integration of various Back Office systems
- Experience in creating architectural standards and documentation templates and in tool selection
- Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written), including facilitation and team leadership skills required
- Must be comfortable working in ambiguous and/or stressful situations
- Must be self-motivated and know when to seek guidance
- Flexibility, ability to change priorities quickly, and capacity to handle multiple tasks
- Ability to learn new tools and technologies
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Experience with large data volumes and large databases