Director, Data Platform Implementation & Operations

RKD Group, Inc.•Richardson, TX

2d•$170,000 - $180,000•Remote

About The Position

RKD Group, a direct response marketing and advertising agency, is seeking a Director, Data Platform Implementation & Operations to achieve breakthrough results that make a positive impact in this world. By joining our team, you become an integral part of that mission. With our headquarters located in Dallas, Texas, RKD Group is a remote-first company that has helped hundreds of nonprofits raise billions of dollars to fulfill their missions. The Director, Data Platform Implementation & Operations leads the implementation, optimization, and ongoing operation of RKD’s enterprise data platform. This role ensures the successful execution of a Snowflake-centered cloud data strategy while maintaining stability across existing on-premise systems. This leader brings deep platform expertise to implement designs effectively, guide cost-efficient decisions, and ensure solutions are scalable, performant, and operationally sustainable. The role also leads the transformation of the data engineering function toward modern cloud practices while managing hybrid environments and offshore delivery partners.

Requirements

Proven experience implementing and operating Snowflake-based data platforms.
Strong understanding of Snowflake performance tuning and cost optimization strategies.
Advanced SQL and data modeling expertise.
Deep experience with dbt and modern ELT frameworks.
Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices for data workflows.
Experience executing cloud migrations and operating hybrid environments.
Familiarity with AWS ecosystem and data security best practices.
Proven ability to lead implementation efforts from design through production.
Experience managing offshore or distributed teams.
Strong backlog management, prioritization, and delivery leadership.
Exceptional communication and stakeholder partnership skills.

Nice To Haves

Python proficiency preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the implementation and operationalization of RKD’s Snowflake-based data platform.
Translate architectural designs into reliable, scalable, and maintainable production solutions.
Advise on cost-efficient and performance-optimized implementation approaches.
Own platform reliability, performance, security, and cost management.
Establish monitoring, capacity planning, and disaster recovery practices.
Ensure ongoing stability and performance of Microsoft SQL Server and IBM iSeries Db2 environments.
Execute migration plans and maintain interoperability between legacy and cloud systems.
Minimize operational risk during modernization.
Implement modern ELT pipelines using Snowflake, dbt, and cloud-native practices.
Establish repeatable CI/CD pipelines and DevOps workflows for data engineering.
Mature lifecycle practices including version control, automated testing, and deployment.
Standardize observability, logging, and centralized error reporting.
Lead and mentor data engineers as they transition from on-prem SQL development to cloud data engineering.
Manage offshore vendors to ensure delivery quality, efficiency, and knowledge transfer.
Build team capabilities in Snowflake, dbt, and modern engineering practices.
Partner with product, analytics, and client teams to implement platform capabilities aligned with business needs.
Support CRM implementations and complex client data onboarding.
Balance stakeholder expectations with platform performance and cost efficiency.
Oversee pipeline monitoring and incident response.
Lead root cause analysis and long-term remediation.
Drive improvements that increase scalability, efficiency, and cost control.