Role Overview:
The Solution Architect is a senior, client-facing consultant responsible for designing and implementing enterprise-level Data Governance and Metadata Management solutions for Client. This is a hybrid business and technical lead role, accountable for translating Client's complex post-merger environment into a coherent data governance architecture one that can scale across a merged organization with two legacy data cultures, multiple acquired firms, and an accelerating AI agenda.
The Solution Architect will work closely with the client Engagement Lead, Client's data governance and privacy leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders from both the Client and end client legacy organizations. Success in this role requires not only deep technical expertise, but the political acuity and communication skills to navigate a newly merged culture.
What You ll Be Doing
Data Governance Strategy & Architecture:
- Serve as the primary technical thought leader for FSFP on the Client engagement, providing frameworks, best practices, and SME guidance across all five workstreams.
- Design and document a scalable Data Governance operating model that functions across Client's merged organizational structure, accounting for legacy Client and end client's data definitions, systems, and processes.
- Assess current-state data governance maturity (self-rated at ~2/5) and develop a prioritized roadmap for reaching minimum viable governance and beyond.
- Translate business and technical requirements into extensible, best-practice governance designs with clear documentation and implementation specifications.
- Support the development of the Data Decision Framework including org structure, decision rights, DG Board Charter, and escalation/reporting processes.
Metadata Management & Tooling:
- Lead assessment, recommendation, and implementation of capabilities in Collibra including business and technical metadata, data lineage, data profiling, data quality workflows, and issue/request management.
- Design automated and bulk upload metadata import/export methods to accelerate population of the data asset inventory.
- Develop meta governance recommendations to ensure ongoing quality, curation standards, and stewardship of catalog content.
- Evaluate and advise on integration between Collibra and existing tools in Client s ecosystem: Databricks/Unity Catalog, Microsoft Purview, and Workday.
Stakeholder Engagement & Workshops:
- Lead and facilitate meetings, workshops, and interviews with business and IT stakeholders to understand current-state pain points, existing data decisions, and governance gaps.
- Navigate cross-functional complexity across teams from both legacy firms, ensuring the governance
narrative resonates with both AI advocates and skeptics. - Build and maintain strong relationships with Client s data governance, privacy, and security leadership.
- Present findings, recommendations, and roadmap materials to senior leadership and, where appropriate, board-level audiences.
AI & Security Governance:
- Support Workstream 4 (Security, Privacy & AI Governance) by inventorying data decisions required to close gaps between current and minimum viable state for AI readiness.
- Advise on AI governance frameworks that integrate with and build on the DG foundation particularly as Client expands OpenAI and other AI tool usage across service lines.
- Ensure the governance approach is defensible to auditors, regulators, and clients who scrutinize how AI outputs are produced and explained.
Semantic Intelligence & Data Classification:
- Lead Workstream 5 (Semantic Intelligence), compiling an inventory of metadata and data context needed to close gaps for AI enablement.
- Drive domain prioritization exercises to sequence governance work against business value.
- Recommend and implement data classification standards aligned to security, privacy, and regulatory
requirements.
Training, Enablement & Sustainability:
- Develop and deliver training materials, use case documentation, and asset model documentation to build internal capability within Client s DG team.
- Recommend curation processes and ownership models that enable Client to sustain governance
momentum after client's engagement concludes. - Design Phase 2 implementation plans that progressively hand off governance operations to Client s internal team.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor s degree required; advanced degree in Information Management, Computer Science, Business, or related field preferred.
- 5+ years of data management experience, with a strong preference for consulting or professional services environments.
- Demonstrated experience delivering data governance programs for complex, multi-entity, or post-merger organizations.
Certifications:
- Solution Architect certification required (e.g., TOGAF, AWS SA, or equivalent).
- Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) is strongly preferred.
- Collibra certification (Ranger, Analyst, or Engineer level) is a significant plus.
Technical Skills:
- Expert-level knowledge of Collibra D configuration, workflow design, asset modeling, lineage, and bulk import/export. Collibra:
- Hands-on experience with metadata management, data classification, and business glossary development. Data Catalog & Metadata:
- Familiarity with Databricks and Unity Catalog; exposure to Microsoft Purview is a plus. Cloud Data Platforms:
- Experience designing data profiling and quality improvement workflows. Data Quality:
- Working knowledge of AI governance frameworks, responsible AI principles, and how DG supports AI enablement. AI Governance:
- Familiarity with Workday as a governed data source is beneficial. ERP/HR Systems:
Consulting & Leadership Skills:
- Proven ability to serve as the technical anchor on a client engagement owning architecture decisions, deliverables, and stakeholder trust simultaneously.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills: able to explain data governance concepts to executive audiences, skeptical business leaders, and technical teams alike.
- Skilled at navigating politically complex, newly merged organizational environments bridging legacy
cultures toward shared frameworks. - Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a fast-moving client environment.
- Strong written communication skills: ability to produce high-quality deliverables including roadmaps,
operating models, charters, and training materials. - Self-motivated and able to operate independently while functioning as a collaborative team member within client s embedded model.
Travel:
- Must be willing and able to travel to Client client sites as needed (<50% of time).
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