AI and Data Architect Director

This role involves leading the Data & AI architecture direction on Microsoft Fabric, defining principles and target states across various domains like application, data, cloud, infrastructure, and security. The director will guide high-stakes trade-offs, recommend strategic platform investments, and ensure coherent, secure, and cost-effective platforms. Responsibilities also include leading the Architecture Review Board, evaluating technologies, establishing responsible AI policies, and mentoring architects to advance analytics and AI capabilities across the organization.

Must Have

• Lead Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI) architecture direction on Microsoft Fabric.
• Define and socialize Microsoft Fabric principles, target states, and roadmaps.
• Lead and co-chair the Architecture Review Board (ARB).
• Run structured evaluations (e.g., data mesh vs. data lake, managed ML services).
• Establish and ratify responsible AI policies (privacy, bias, explainability, lifecycle controls).
• Codify and publish cross-domain patterns (Power BI, Warehouse, Lakehouse, event streaming, security).
• Direct function-spanning reviews for mission-critical programs.
• Set Financial Operations (FinOps) guardrails.
• Lead vendor and build/buy evaluations.
• Mentor architects and solution leaders.
• Represent architecture externally with partners, auditors, and strategic customers.
• Track cross-functional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and lead continuous improvement.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in enterprise data, analytics, or cloud architecture, with at least 5 years in a senior or lead architecture role.
• Prior experience defining and executing enterprise AI and Data Architecture roadmaps.
• Strong foundational knowledge of Microsoft Fabric architecture.
• Solid grounding in data architecture principles.
• Proven experience delivering Business Intelligence (BI) solutions.
• Hands-on expertise in semantic modeling.
• Experience with data integration and automation tools and frameworks.

What you will be doing:

Lead Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI) architecture direction on Microsoft Fabric by defining and socializing principles and target states across application, data, cloud, infrastructure, and security through formal networks with domain leaders; guide high-stakes trade-offs; and recommend strategic platform investments for executive ratification. Exercise wide latitude with a longer-term view, producing outcomes that impact multiple functions and advance analytics and AI capability across the organization.

Define and socialize Microsoft Fabric principles, target states, and roadmaps co-developed with domain architects to ensure coherent, secure, and cost-effective platforms across functions.

Lead and co-chair the Architecture Review Board (ARB), set agendas, and ratify exceptions/waivers to balance delivery speed with standards and risk controls.

Run structured evaluations e.g., data mesh vs. data lake; managed machine learning (ML) services; Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) to optimize long-term viability and vendor risk via recommendations presented for executive approval.

Establish and ratify responsible AI policies (privacy, bias, explainability, lifecycle controls), enable validation pipelines and drift monitoring, and maintain audit-ready documentation to meet audit expectations and customer commitments.

Codify and publish cross-domain patterns that unify Power BI semantic models, Warehouse artifacts, Lakehouse storage in OneLake, event streaming, and security controls to reduce fragmentation and duplication across functions.

Direct function-spanning reviews for mission-critical programs using Microsoft Purview lineage, data loss prevention (DLP), resilience, and cost scorecards to surface risks before major spend or launch.

Set Financial Operations (FinOps) guardrails capacity tiers, right-sizing, and storage governance with Cloud and Infrastructure to keep total cost of ownership (TCO) predictable while meeting service objectives

Lead vendor and build/buy evaluations using structured criteria and ADRs; present recommendations with clear exit options to ensure strategic alignment and long-term viability.

Mentor architects and solution leaders via communities of practice and design critiques to raise decision quality and propagate standards.

Represent architecture externally with partners, auditors, and strategic customers to align expectations and reduce integration friction while advancing internal adoption and coherence.

Track cross-functional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) compliance rate, exception rate, rework, platform adoption, TCO vs. plan and lead continuous improvement initiatives to mature architecture capability.

We are looking for:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field

10+ years of experience in enterprise data, analytics, or cloud architecture, with at least 5 years in a senior or lead architecture role.

Prior experience defining and executing enterprise AI and Data Architecture roadmaps, translating strategy into phased, value-driven delivery.

Strong foundational knowledge of Microsoft Fabric architecture, including core platform components and integration patterns.

Solid grounding in data architecture principles, including data modeling, data integration, governance, and lifecycle management.

Proven experience delivering Business Intelligence (BI) solutions, from data ingestion to analytics and executive reporting.

Hands-on expertise in semantic modeling, particularly for scalable and reusable analytical models.

Experience with data integration and automation tools and frameworks, enabling efficient, repeatable, and governed data pipelines.

Background in management consulting or advisory roles, with the ability to operate in complex, ambiguous environments and influence senior stakeholders.

Strong business acumen, with the ability to connect architectural decisions to business outcomes, risk management, and financial performance.