Data Practice Lead

Robots and Pencils

3d•$200,000 - $300,000•Remote

About The Position

We’re looking for a Vice President, Data to build, lead, and grow R&P’s data practice from the ground up. This is an important role at Robots & Pencils, a player-coach position that demands equal parts technical depth, business ownership, and leadership. You will establish R&P as a go-to partner for data strategy, modern data architecture, AI-ready platforms, business intelligence, and data engineering. You will own the practice as a true business, with full accountability for revenue, profitability, client outcomes, and team development. You’ll report to the Global Head of Delivery, and be part of the Senior Leadership team.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in data and analytics, with at least 3 years at director, principal, or practice-lead level within a professional services or technology consulting business
Demonstrated track record of building or scaling a data practice or service line, including ownership of P&L and go-to-market strategy
Proven experience solutioning and delivering complex data engagements across data engineering, analytics, cloud migration, and AI/ML readiness
Deep expertise in Databricks, Snowflake, and/or AWS (Redshift/S3), with hands-on fluency in modern Data Lake and Lakehouse patterns and the broader enterprise data stack
Comprehensive command of the data ecosystem: data strategy, governance, master data management (MDM), data architecture, cloud-native platforms, and AI/ML readiness
Expertise across the full data value chain (ingestion, transformation, analytics, and warehousing) with the ability to assess and evolve skill competencies within the practice
Strong executive presence with the ability to engage C-suite stakeholders, drive strategic conversations, and build lasting client relationships
History of developing and mentoring high-performing technical teams; comfortable owning performance management and talent development

Nice To Haves

AWS certifications, like Certified Data Engineer – Associate, preferred

Responsibilities

Act as the senior data authority in front of client CTOs, CIOs, and heads of data, leading pursuit work where data is the primary buy
Develop strategic views on where the data market is headed
Champion internal and external thought leadership, publishing points of view, speaking at industry events, and elevating R&P’s brand in the data ecosystem
Develop best-in-class solutions architecture recommendations for clients and prospects
Contribute to R&P's AI software development lifecycle — helping advance internal AI capabilities and embedding intelligent practices into data delivery
Build and lead a high-performing team of data consultants, engineers, BI leads, and data scientists, consolidating practitioners currently embedded across the firm and fostering a culture of excellence, curiosity, and accountability
Set the technical standards, career architecture, and development pathways for data practitioners inside the firm
Cultivate a collaborative, inclusive practice culture that attracts and retains top talent
Build the data practice into a $5m revenue practice in the first twelve months; own the full P&L with accountability for revenue, chargeability, and gross margin
Set a clear vision for the practice and communicate it compellingly to both internal stakeholders and clients
Define service lines, target industries, pricing logic, and operating model; shape the data proposition in partnership with the commercial team
Partner with the sales organization and client teams to identify, develop, and expand strategic accounts where data capabilities can drive meaningful transformation
Lead and support presales solutioning and scoping engagements, crafting compelling proposals and winning new business
Lead the firm’s Databricks relationship and adjacent data partnerships; convert partnership status into pipeline, co-sell motions, and joint delivery