Database Architect

The Data Architect is responsible for the design, development, and management of the organization's data infrastructure. This individual provides strategic recommendations to maximize the value of information assets via their creation, access and use by partnering with various stakeholders including non-technical and technical business users, data engineers, system engineers, and data analysts.

Essential Functions
* Interview business partners to understand their data needs and challenges, and use this information to design effective architecture and data models to support their needs
* Determine modeling standards, guidelines, best practices and approved modeling techniques. Document these standards / guidelines; present to developers & analysts for buy in
* Architect in hybrid environment including on-prem SQL Server, Azure Data Lake, Delta Lake, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Power BI
* Research, identify and model the future state of the data architecture and provide data architecture best practices and guidelines. Document these best practices / guidelines; present to developers & analysts for buy in
* Architect and design Northwest's migration from on-prem SQL Server to Azure data environment, creating a final hybrid model of on-prem and Azure data capabilities. Roadmap this journey; plan it and present to data analysts and developers for buy-in of execution. Ensure this future architecture supports business needs
* Create and manage business information models in all their forms, including logical and physical data models, relational designs for structured data, cloud architecture, etc. per business requirements. Create and maintain the documentation of Northwest's existing data model
* Provide direction in usage of in Azure Synapse SQL pools (both serverless and dedicated) and integrating Synapse with other Azure services
* Work closely with DBAs to ensure structures are optimized for performance, reliability, and scalability, and ensure efficient database operations. Provide technical leadership for data engineering staff and the database administration team
* Maintain critical information assets models in the enterprise information architecture (EIA) and follow the design guidelines and requirements of EIA
* Enforce adherence to established data model and architecture by providing review of planned changes
* Review current security and implement best practices for managing data in the cloud (RBAC, data encryption, etc.) and on-prem
* Lead others in the analysis of data and analytics security requirements and solutions, and work with management to ensure that the confidentiality, integrity and availability of enterprise data and analytics assets are risk-managed
* Research new technologies and evaluate their potential to add value in support of business, data team and operational needs
* Ensure architecture evolves with emerging technology and business requirements
* Participate in the development of ETL and ELT packages and pipelines using SSIS and ADF
* Have ability to work in Python, and Synapse/ADF Pipelines, and be willing to put hands on keyboard to develop high complexity work
* Must be able to utilize ServiceNow, and JIRA to document work requests to the team and monitor/track those request to closure
* Work closely with Data Governance team and ensure data governance practices are implemented to allow sensitive information assets to be immediately identified and proactively restricted to minimize risk
* Establish metrics for tracking and measuring data usage
* Implement best practice for database optimization, including indexing and query performance tuning
* Monitor data system performance, identify and address bottlenecks
* Perform tuning improvements on lower performing data assets
* Design framework for ongoing and evolving data reconciliation needs

Additional Essential Functions
* Ensure compliance with Northwest's policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
* Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
* Work as part of a team
* Work with on-site equipment

Additional Responsibilities
* Handle other projects on request

Safety and Health for those without supervisory duties
* Abide by the rules of the safety and loss prevention program
* Perform work tasks in a safe manner
* Report any and all injuries to supervisor
* Know what to do in case of an emergency

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education
Bachelor's Degree Computer Science, Information Science or Engineering or related subject
Master's Degree Computer Science, Information Science or Engineering or related subject

Work Experience
6 - 8 years Business, information, or technology experience
3 - 5 years Information Architecture

General Employee Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
* Ability to establish effective working relationships among team members and participate in solving problems and making decisions
* Ability to present and express ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience, whether oral or written
* Ability to actively listen to what others are saying to achieve understanding, sharing information with others and facilitating the open exchange of ideas and information
* Ability to establish courses of action for self to accomplish specific goals, develop and use tracking systems for monitoring own work progress, and effectively use resources such as time and information
* Ability to make right decisions based on perceptive and analytical processes, practicing good judgment in gray areas

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to function with autonomy, establish relationships, and influence decisions
Skill in utilizing data with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and predictive analytics to help drive customer experiences
Skill in expertise in design and implementation of complex information architectures for financial institutions
Ability to think strategically, innovate, and manage organizations during change
Communication and presentations skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities, prioritizing service delivery to and setting expectations with stakeholders
Ability to negotiating using a win-win strategy and producing positive business outcomes