Senior Data Architect

Job Type: Contract

Location:

Minneapolis, MN

A thought leader who can define and build out the components of a comprehensive data strategy and architecture with a strong focus on AI. This person should have deep expertise in modern data architecture patterns and the ability to articulate a clear, forward-looking vision.

• Design, maintain, and evolve comprehensive data models (Conceptual, Logical, and Physical) for core business services and platforms.
• Define and create data flow diagrams and orchestration strategies, ensuring efficient and governed data movement between up‑ and downstream systems.
• Collaborate closely with Application and Cloud Architects to ensure the organization’s technical systems are designed to fully support the established data architecture standards.
• Develop product short‑lists and evaluation criteria for selecting data architecture components, such as data warehousing solutions, Big Data platforms (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, Kafka), and database technologies (SQL/No
  
  SQL).
• Evolve and define data governance policies, standards, and best practices across the organization.
• Design, support, and manage data dictionaries, metadata repositories, and common entities to ensure consistent use and definition of data.
• Drive the standards for Data Quality across multiple datasets, ensuring consistency and data trust across the enterprise.
• Design data retention, upgrade, management, decommission, and archive strategies in compliance with data policies and regulatory standards (e.g., data privacy).
• Provide technical oversight, advice, and guidance to other Data Architects, Data Engineers, and development teams regarding data structures and associated components.
• Ensure project teams adhere to the corporate data standards and architectural principles set by data leadership.
• Mentor and support colleagues in multi‑disciplinary teams, promoting best practices in data architecture and design.

• Advanced experience in designing and implementing data models (Star Schema, Snowflake, etc.).
• Expertise in a wide variety of database technologies, including relational (SQL) and No
  
  SQL platforms, and Big Data technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to architect scalable, high‑performance data warehousing and data lake solutions on major cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong understanding of ETL/ELT tools, data integration strategies, and advanced data processing techniques.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical information and language into simple, accessible terms for non‑technical stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills with the proven ability to establish relationships, manage differing stakeholder perspectives, and drive technical direction across teams.
• A systematic, disciplined, and analytical approach to problem‑solving, with an awareness of evolving business needs and technology capabilities.

Flexible work from home options available.