Hands-on Data Architect

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is searching for a hands-on Data Architect for a FULL-TIME assignment with one of our premier Financial Services clients in mid-town Manhattan, NY. Hybrid - 2 days/week in office.

This Data Architect will develop and manage overall data architecture and strategy. This individual will work closely with data/software engineers, business users, and other stakeholders to design and implement data solutions, including databases, data warehouses, and data models that meet organizational needs. This role is critical to enable efficient data analytics for informed decision-making that supports the organization's overall business needs. The Data Architect will also be expected to work collaboratively with others in IT to realize the full life cycle of system development projects, from requirements gathering to application design, data modeling, coding, testing, delivery, support, and enhancements.

The firm's applications are primarily developed using Python/Django and libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, PL/SQL. In addition, we utilize SQL Server, MySQL, Elastic Search, Redis, Kafka, Tableau, and various third-party APIs and data sources.

Responsibilities :

• Provide technical leadership and direction for data management projects that align with long-term business objectives
• Help design a data infrastructure that supports complex data analytical services and is consistent with the firm's data system footprint
• Contribute to thought leadership in build vs. buy decisions for data management solutions
• Work closely with external data management partners to onboard use cases
• Define data governance policies and oversee implementation, including any external data management platforms, to ensure data quality, accuracy, and consistency
• Develop and implement data ingestion, transformation, and synchronization processes between in-house systems and external platforms
• Evaluate new data technologies, tools, and best practices, advising on potential adoption.
• Work with data scientists, engineers, business users, and other stakeholders to understand their data needs and ensure solutions align with business goals
• Maintain detailed documentation for data architecture, flows, and system configurations
• Raise the bar on our development capabilities, standards, and processes
• Synthesize requirements gathered from various teams within/outside of IT and suggest creative solutions; where appropriate, guiding the firm to "do it the right way"
• Following a scrum methodology, organize with end users, business analysts, and other architects and developers
• Recommend positive steps toward standardizing development processes, including technology selection, deployment steps, code, reviews, and IT tools
• Partner with DevOps, QA, and AppSecOps teams to promote standardization, consistency, and improved security posture

Primary responsibilities estimated percentage allocation

• 15% Technology Leadership: design, mentoring, requirements gathering
• 15% Relationship Building: requirements gathering, brainstorming with end users
• 20% Team management/leadership
• 50% Heads Down Development

Required Skills:

• At least 10+ years of hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas: data strategy, data architecture, (modern) data platform architecture, data modeling, data governance, business Intelligence, Big Data, reporting & data warehousing, AI, and Machine Learning.
• Bachelor of science in computer science or other related discipline (although strong experience with a less directly related degree will be considered)
• Experience with relational (e.g., SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle) and non-relational databases (e.g., NoSQL, MongoDB)
• Strong understanding of Cloud technologies (preferably AWS)
• Good understanding of the different data architecture patterns: data warehouse, data marts, data modeling, ontologies, etc.
• Experience working closely with business leaders to identify business needs and data opportunities
• Formal problem-solving and/or analytical training/experience a plus, as is experience working with management consultants
• CFA or FRM a plus
• Design and development experience with data and analytics-intensive applications using Pandas and NumPy libraries is highly desired
• Ability to write high-performing SQL queries, procs, tables, and views
• Familiar with general ETL design and development
• Good intuition for end-user requirements gathering; iterative and collaborative approach to design
• Practical understanding of design patterns and experience in system design
• Ability to lead a development team
• Strong client relationship management skills and excellent written/verbal communication skills to interact at all levels

Initial success criteria
The successful candidate will be expected to hit the ground running, balancing short-term tactical needs and longer-term in-flight projects needed by business teams. During the first six months, the Data Architect will have learned enough about the firm's business,processes, and applications that they should have accomplished the following:

• Led ongoing Proof of Concepts (POCs) with external partners as part of our strategic vision to enhance data management capabilities in Finance and Backoffice operations
• Played a key role in the decision-making process for selecting the appropriate data management partner(s)
• Gathered and documented finance and back-office reporting requirements while onboarding various accounting systems
• Managed a team of junior/mid-level developers, taking responsibility for their productivity and code quality
• Made hands-on contributions to the progress of the project portfolio
• Forged solid relationships with key partners and developed a vocabulary that demonstrates a strong understanding of our products and services
• Begun to contribute to the broader MIO IT conversation, considering how our data architecture, systems architecture, and technology choices need to evolve to provide the best experience to our decision-makers

SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at .

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy .

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