Technical Lead - Operational Data Governance & Modernization

Job Title :

Technical Lead - Operational Data Governance & Modernization Location :

Newark, DE

Owns end-to-end delivery of how operational data is modeled, governed, and moved across the organization — from relational/canonical models and master data through schema-first contracts into the enterprise warehouse. Sets the standards for data quality, compliance (PII), and "contract as code" governance, but is measured on delivery outcomes — runs the offshore team day-to-day and stays hands-on to unblock delivery risk.

• Own delivery of relational and canonical data models and the organization's MDM (master data management) strategy.
• Set standards for advanced SQL usage and appropriate use of No
  
  SQL patterns where relational modeling doesn't fit.
• Drive rollout of the data catalog and enforce PII classification and data-regulation compliance across pipelines.
• Own delivery of the Snowflake/enterprise data warehouse and data pipelines between ODS and warehouse.
• Drive delivery of data change detection (CDC) and the data validation/quality testing framework.
• Own "contract as code" governance: data schema management via CI/CD and Git-based data governance.
• Select and stand up appropriate AWS data services for the platform.
• Run day-to-day delivery of the offshore team: sprint commitments, code/design review, real-time unblocking, and hands-on work on critical-path pipelines.
• Report delivery status, risks, and blockers to engineering leadership.

• 8+ years in data engineering, with 3+ years as a tech lead owning end-to-end delivery (not a pure design/review architect role).
• Proven track record of shipping data platforms on committed timelines, including hands-on troubleshooting under delivery pressure.
• Deep expertise in relational and canonical data modeling and MDM design.
• Expert-level SQL and solid understanding of when No
  
  SQL patterns are appropriate.
• Experience architecting data catalog tooling and PII classification/data regulation compliance (critical given financial-services context).
• Strong hands-on architecture experience with Snowflake or an equivalent enterprise data warehouse.
• Proven design of data pipelines between operational data stores and the warehouse.
• Experience architecting change-data-capture and data validation/quality frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience implementing "contract as code" — schema management via CI/CD, Git-based governance.
• Solid knowledge of relevant AWS data services (e.g., RDS, Redshift, Glue, DMS, Lake Formation).
• Financial-services or similarly regulated-industry data governance experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong stakeholder communication; able to directly manage day-to-day delivery of an offshore team (standups, unblocking, sprint accountability).

• Experience with specific data catalog tools (e.g., Collibra, Alation, AWS Glue Data Catalog).
• Exposure to multiple warehouse platforms beyond Snowflake.
• Experience building data-quality frameworks with tools like Great Expectations or dbt tests.
• Relevant certifications (Snowflake Snow Pro, AWS Data Analytics Specialty).