Senior Data Architect

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

5d•$155,000 - $175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Data Architect is responsible for defining, governing, and leading the organization’s enterprise data strategy, architecture roadmap, and cloud data modernization initiatives. This role serves as the enterprise authority for data architecture, data management, analytics platforms, and AI-ready data ecosystems, ensuring that organizational data assets are secure, trusted, accessible, and strategically aligned with business objectives. The Senior Data Architect provides technical and strategic leadership in the design, implementation, and optimization of scalable, secure, and high-performing cloud-based data solutions that support operational reporting, business intelligence, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and emerging data-driven initiatives. This position serves as the enterprise subject matter expert for Microsoft Fabric and the Microsoft Azure data ecosystem, leading the transition from legacy and on-premises data environments to modern cloud-native architectures. This position collaborates closely with executive leadership, business stakeholders, Enterprise Architecture, Information Security, Application Development, Data Engineering, Analytics, and AI teams to establish enterprise standards, governance frameworks, and long-term data strategies that maximize the value of organizational data assets. The ideal candidate combines strategic vision, enterprise architecture expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and deep technical knowledge to drive innovation, operational excellence, and business value through data.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Minimum twelve years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise data architecture, data engineering, data warehousing, enterprise data management, analytics platforms, and cloud data solutions.
Microsoft Certified Fabric Data Engineer.
Proficient in designing, implementing, and leading enterprise cloud data platforms and modernization initiatives with Microsoft Azure environments.
Expert-level knowledge of Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake Storage, Power BI, OneLake, and related Azure data services.
Accomplished in enterprise data modeling methodologies including conceptual, logical, physical, dimensional, semantic, and canonical data models.
Strong proficiency in SQL, Python, Spark, ETL/ELT development, data engineering, DataOps, and cloud-native data architecture practices.
Proficient in enterprise integration architectures utilizing APIs, event-driven architectures, streaming technologies, and cloud-native integration services.
Familiar with enterprise data quality frameworks, validation methodologies, testing strategies, reconciliation processes, and data observability practices.
Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-scale cloud migration, modernization, and digital transformation initiatives.
Deep understanding of data, metadata management, data lineage, data quality, security, privacy, and compliance frameworks.
Seasoned professional at implementing and supporting artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and generative AI platforms through scalable data architecture design.
Proficient in Azure DevOps, GitHub, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software delivery practices.
Strong understanding of cloud cost management, FinOps principles, performance optimization, and operational excellence.
Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders, communicate architectural strategies, and lead cross-functional initiatives across business and technology organizations.
Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills with the ability to communicate effectively at both technical and executive levels.

Responsibilities

Develops, maintains, and executes the enterprise data architecture strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned with organizational goals, digital transformation initiatives, and business priorities.
Leads the design, implementation, and optimization of enterprise cloud data platforms utilizing Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake Storage, Power BI, and related Azure technologies.
Architects scalable data warehouse, lakehouse, data mesh, and data integration solutions supporting enterprise reporting, analytics, and artificial intelligence initiatives.
Establishes and enforces enterprise standards, best practices, and governance policies for data architecture, data modeling, integration, metadata management, data lineage, security, and quality.
Leads enterprise data modernization and migration efforts from legacy and on-premises platforms to cloud-native architectures and services.
Designs and oversees enterprise ETL/ELT frameworks, data pipelines, orchestration processes, and DataOps practices to improve data delivery, reliability, and scalability.
Partners with executive leadership, business stakeholders, and technology teams to translate business requirements into scalable and sustainable enterprise data solutions.
Collaborates with Enterprise Architecture, Security Architecture, and Application Development teams to ensure alignment with organizational technology standards and strategic objectives.
Leads architecture reviews and provides governance oversight for enterprise data solutions, ensuring compliance with approved standards and architectural principles.
Provides technical leadership, mentorship, and architectural guidance to data engineers, developers, analysts, AI engineers, and project teams.
Evaluates emerging technologies and industry trends, recommending innovative solutions that enhance organizational data capabilities, AI readiness, performance, and cost efficiency.
Develops and promotes data-as-a-product principles to improve accessibility, usability, and business adoption of enterprise data assets.
Establishes cloud cost optimization and FinOps strategies to balance performance, scalability, and operational expenditures.
Ensures compliance with data governance, privacy, security, regulatory, and institutional requirements while fostering a culture of data stewardship and accountability across the organization.
Manages a team of developers, assign work, coach and mentor.
Acts as a technical consultant and resource for faculty research, teaching, and/or administrative projects.
Leads or coordinates teams or projects for activities relating to software support and/or development.
Performs other related work as needed.