Data Architect

The data architect is responsible for providing expert guidance on traditional data architecture disciplines around data structures and models, data flows, data sourcing, and data governance.  The data architect works closely with the business to understand their data needs and requirements, and takes responsibility for ensuring data solutions are fit for purpose.  The data architect also provides leadership around the appropriate design and use for data solutions for the rest of the team including business and data analysts, data engineers, and other technical resources.  The data architect will be responsible for the alignment of data solutions at the project and organization level, and may also participate in enterprise data architecture initiatives on an as needed basis. This role requires a high degree of interpersonal interaction at all levels within the organization, from technical personnel to high level management, and excellent communication skills are a must.

• Align organizational data architecture with enterprise strategy and business architecture
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to drive out high level data needs and requirements, and use those to capture and effectively express strategic data requirements to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Develop organizational data architecture design documentation including information and data flow diagrams, data value chains, the organizational data model, integration diagrams, and implementation roadmaps and plans
• Define and maintain the current state of data in the organization through collaboration with data modelers on conceptual, logical, and physical data modeling
• Develop and uphold a standard business vocabulary for data and supporting components
• Accountable for creation and management of data contracts for analytics consumers
• Ensure effective and coordinated implementation of data related designs 
• Provide guidance and support to data engineering, data modeling, and development teams on data modeling best practices in alignment with enterprise best practices, and the organizational strategy and designs
• Work with data consumers to understand data usage patterns and leverage this understanding to optimize data models for performance, scalability, and re-use
• Tightly manage and align data requirements to business needs from inception through to delivery of data solutions to ensure the organization’s data landscape is fit to purpose
• Collaborate with enterprise and organizational data governance leaders to align on organizational data needs and roadmaps
• Follow enterprise data modeling and design standards, tools, best practices, and related development for enterprise data models
• Work with data engineers, data stewards, and other business/technical team members to align on best practices that improve both data quality and operational efficiency

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer/data science technical or related field
• Deep technical experience as a data architect or in a similar role, with a thorough understanding of data architecture principles and best practices
• In-depth knowledge and experience in data modeling, data integration, data warehousing, ETL, lakehouse architectures, data management concepts, and metadata management
• Proficiency in data architecture modeling tools and technologies, such as ERwin or similar
• Experience with data modelling techniques such as star schemas, snowflake, data vaulting, medallion architectures, normalized and de-normalized models, handling “slowly-changing” dimensions/attributes, NoSQL patterns, etc
• Experience with the Azure cloud data and analytics suite, specifically Purview, Synapse, and/or Fabric
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
• A self-starter able to effectively work through and resolve ambiguity to help simplify the path forward
• Demonstrated ability in coaching and developing junior members of a team and a wider community

Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has operations in Canada and the United States and are a team of 20,000 dedicated employees.  At J.D. Irving, Limited, you are part of a dynamic team of professionals who lead with integrity and are passionate about delivering results. With a culture that nurtures talent and creates an inclusive workplace, you can grow your career across our various operating divisions. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates, and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities. Worried you do not meet all the requirements? Studies have shown that many applicants apply only to job opportunities when they feel they meet 100% of the criteria. We promote an inclusive environment where everyone is appreciated, recognized, and empowered to contribute fully. If you are interested in this position but are worried you did not meet all the requirements, we would encourage you to still apply. We appreciate your interest in our company however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.