Data Operations, Sr. Manager

Lantern•Dallas, TX

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a hands-on, customer ‑ facing Data Operations Leader to oversee and mature our data operations function. This role combines technical depth with operational leadership—monitoring daily data workflows, working directly with healthcare clients, and partnering across Product, Analytics, Governance, and Engineering to deliver scalable, high ‑ quality data solutions. The ideal candidate is comfortable using SQL, python, spark, and orchestration tools to triage operational issues, dig into file-level details, and improve reliability through automation. This candidate has experience creating tools to improve data observability, and documentation, as well as demonstrated experience utilizing AI to improve operational efficiency. This person acts as a “player ‑ coach” and will need to balance hands-on technical work, coaching the Data Operations team, and working directly with internal stakeholders. Location : Dallas, TX - Hybrid schedule (3x in office per week)

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
5+ years of experience in SQL with the ability to write complex queries.
3+ years of experience performing ETL and data engineering tasks.
3+ years of experience with Big Data technologies such as Databricks, Python, and Data Lakes.
Proficiency in: SQL, Azure Data Services (including Azure Data Factory), Databricks, Python
Strong understanding of DevOps/Data DevOps concepts.
Experience with data observability tools and practices.
Familiarity with data quality frameworks and automation tools.
Experience with healthcare EDI formats (834, 837, etc.)
Understanding of eligibility, claims, accumulators, and healthcare reporting concepts
Familiarity with PHI handling, HIPAA considerations, and governance practices
Ability to monitor, diagnose, and improve data observability and integrity
Capable of handling ad hoc data investigations and resolving complex issues
Strong documentation habits, including runbooks, specs, and process guides
Skilled at onboarding and validating new data feeds and assets
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent communicator—able to translate technical concepts for clients and internal partners
Strong cross-functional collaborator with Product, Analytics, Governance, Engineering, and Infrastructure
Adaptability to evolving business models and healthcare needs
Customer-first mindset with the ability to engage confidently on client calls

Nice To Haves

Have SQL/Python experience specific to healthcare data
Be comfortable acting as both an individual contributor and team leader (“player coach”)
Demonstrate experience improving operational reliability, automation, or observability
Value diversity, inclusion, and collaborative teamwork

Responsibilities

Communication & Engagement Partner with internal teams and external clients to align on data formats, specifications, and integration requirements. Provide clear explanations of healthcare file logic and proactively communicate issues, timelines, and resolutions to reduce escalations.
Operational Ownership & Responsiveness Monitor daily data pipelines, alerts, and file transfers; triage and resolve issues quickly to maintain reliable operations. Take ownership of cross-functional issues, even when the root cause spans multiple teams, and ensure stakeholders are informed throughout.
Process Improvement & Automation Identify manual steps in file processing, validation, and monitoring and replace them with automated, scalable solutions using Databricks, Python, and Azure tooling. Drive initiatives that reduce operational overhead and improve self-service, including automated QA, schema validation, and observability enhancements.
Monitoring, Data Quality & Observability Implement and maintain robust monitoring to detect anomalies in inbound and outbound healthcare files, including 834/837 and flat file formats. Expand logging, alerting, and data quality frameworks to catch issues early and minimize client impact.
Technical Leadership Provide hands-on leadership and coaching with SQL, data pipelines, and healthcare data structures—including reviewing notebooks, debugging SQL, validating transformations, and guiding root-cause investigations. Collaborate with Engineering, Cloud Infrastructure, and Governance on scalable architecture and DevOps/Data DevOps best practices.
Team Leadership & Coordination Lead the Data Operations team through daily standups, clear prioritization, and coaching. Ensure runbooks, documentation, and onboarding materials are current, and support the team in resolving incidents and onboarding new data assets.