Data Architect

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse. 

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.  Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work. 

Position Name: Data Architect
Position Location: Dubai & Abu Dhabi, UAE

THE ROLE
We are seeking an experienced Data Architect (ideally with experience in consumer retail banking and marketing) to lead the design and development of a new data integration for a key agency client. In this role, you will be instrumental in leading the discovery & design phases for our client's consumer database, working closely with the data engineers in implementation/development and data scientist/analyst to incorporate analytics and modelling.

You will work closely with both agency and client stakeholders (we are an extension squad for the client), including business analysts, data scientists, and engineers, to ensure that the data infrastructure supports the client’s business objectives and enables the delivery of exceptional customer experiences that drive business value.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their data needs and translate them into technical requirements (Data Discovery).
• Design a robust and scalable data architecture for the client’s consumer banking platform, leveraging Google BigQuery as an interim layer, with Azure as the final data warehouse.
• Design the the data models, pipelines, and integrations to support various business functions, including customer relationship management (CRM), marketing automation, reporting and customer insight.
• With stakeholders, design data governance policies and procedures to ensure data quality, consistency, and security around the 4Vs.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging technologies in data architecture, particularly in the areas of cloud computing, big data, and data warehousing.
• Work closely with the Data Engineering team to recommend and implement data pipelines using the most appropriate and relevant technologies based on client systems.
• Work with stakeholders and data science/analysis team to design and develop data visualizations and dashboards using Power BI to provide insights to business users.
• Build and maintain integrations with AdTech and MarTech platforms to enable targeted marketing campaigns and personalized customer experiences.
• Contribute to the development of a data-driven culture within the organization by promoting data literacy and advocating for data-informed decision-making.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCES
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience as a Data Architect or in a similar role.
• Ideally, experience in the financial services industry, particularly consumer retail banking.
• Strong understanding of data warehousing concepts, dimensional modeling, and ETL processes.
• Extensive experience (ideally with certifications) with Google Cloud Platform, Azure cloud technologies, including Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, Azure SQL Database, and Azure Synapse Analytics.
• Proficiency in SQL and other data manipulation languages.
• Experience with data visualization tools, particularly Power BI.
• Familiarity with AdTech and MarTech platforms and their data integration requirements.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Passion for data and its potential to drive business value.

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction. 

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. 

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