Data Platform Manager

Landscape Structures•Delano, MN

About The Position

The Data Platform Manager is the operational leader responsible for the health, performance, and evolution of LSI’s data platform ecosystem. This individual ensures reliable data services across SQL Server and Microsoft Fabric environments, leads strategic migration initiatives, and coordinates work across the data services team.

Requirements

4-year college degree in information technology, computer science, or equivalent experience required.
Minimum of 5 years of experience managing data platforms, data infrastructure, or data engineering teams.
Strong experience with Microsoft SQL Server administration and operations.
Well-developed analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
Experience leading data migration or platform modernization projects.
Experience in an agile development methodology.
Experience managing and directing external consultants or contract resources.
Strong vendor management and contract negotiation skills.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for business stakeholders.
Ability to creatively approach situations. Innovative thinker, high personal initiative, and results-driven.
Ability to respond to critical platform issues in a composed and constructive manner.
Able to collaborate and function effectively in a team environment.
Able and willing to travel as required.
Able and willing to work on a flexible schedule as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Microsoft Fabric, Azure data services, or cloud data platforms preferred.
Scrum or project management certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

Data platform environments maintain high availability with defined SLAs for uptime, performance, and reliability.
Effective coordination is maintained across the Data Services team roles.
Platform capacity, licensing, and costs are managed within budget with proactive forecasting.
Vendor relationships are maintained effectively with timely issue resolution.
Operational runbooks, change management processes, and incident response procedures are current and followed.
Platform compliance with security policies and governance frameworks is maintained.
Data platform incidents are resolved within defined SLAs with appropriate root cause analysis and preventive measures.
Regular status reporting is provided to IT leadership on platform health, project progress, and risks.
Maintain a thorough understanding and documentation of Landscape Structures’ data architecture, business intelligence needs, and the data systems that support them.
Be actively involved in platform operations to ensure that system availability and performance are consistent with business objectives.
Lead the strategic migration from SQL Server to Microsoft Fabric, managing scope, timelines, dependencies, and stakeholder communication.
Coordinate with Data Architect to ensure platform operations and migration execution align with architectural standards and design patterns.
Enable governed self-service analytics by ensuring the data platform provides reliable, well-documented, and appropriately secured datasets for business users and the BI team.
Perform platform capacity planning, licensing, and cost optimization; forecast growth and recommend resource adjustments, coordinating with the Director of Infrastructure
Manage vendor relationships for data platform technologies; evaluate tools, negotiate contracts, and manage support escalations.
Establish and maintain operational runbooks, change management processes, and incident response procedures for data systems.
Ensure platform compliance with security policies and governance frameworks; partner with Infrastructure and Security on data access controls, platform security, and compliance requirements.
Manage platform access provisioning, environment promotion workflows, and deployment coordination.
Serve as the escalation point for data platform outages and critical incidents; coordinate resolution efforts across technical teams, communicate status to stakeholders, and ensure timely restoration of services.
Own disaster recovery and business continuity planning for data platforms; ensure backup strategies meet RPO/RTO requirements.
Direct and coordinate the work of external consultants and contractors; define deliverables, review work products, and ensure alignment with architectural standards and project timelines in line with the established Department practices.
Work with the Project Delivery Manager to coordinate backlog prioritization, facilitate data platform work intake with business stakeholders, and balance operational needs against sprint commitments.
Initiate communication through regular meetings with appropriate stakeholders and IT staff to report on platform status and project progress.
Participate in continuous improvement efforts for data platform operations and processes.