Lead Data Platform Architect

Lead Data Platform Architect

Mars is a family-owned business with more than $50 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands: M&M's, SNICKERS, TWIX, MILKY WAY, DOVE, PEDIGREE, ROYAL CANIN, WHISKAS, EXTRA, ORBIT, 5TM, SKITTLES, BEN'S ORIGINAL, and COCOAVIA. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world's pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet HospitalsTM, BluePearl, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCATM and Pet PartnersTM. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 160,000 Diverse Associates to act daily towards creating the world we want tomorrow.

The Lead Data Platform Architect is instrumental in delivering scalable, repeatable and agile data and platform architectures to unlock and drive business value across Finance, Commercial, R&D, MGS Labs and Innovation:

As the Lead Data Platform Architect in the Enterprise Data & Platform team, your key responsibilities are as follows:

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY AND LEADERSHIP

- Lead the definition and execution of data architecture strategies across multiple business domains and data platforms.
- Drive the development of scalable, integrated data models and architectures across raw, trusted, and harmonized zones.
- Define and execute the data product strategy for assigned business areas in collaboration with analytics and business teams.
- Act as a thought leader and trusted advisor, supporting teams in understanding business objectives, data requirements, processes, and enabling technologies.
- Ensure all data architecture efforts are aligned with the broader business vision and strategic priorities and provide architectural oversight across delivery initiatives.
- Collaborate with other data architects to ensure consistent and integrated use of data assets across the organization.
- Identify cross-segment and cross-function data dependencies or issues and lead resolution efforts.
- Provide strategic guidance on data domains, process analysis, data analysis, and modelling techniques.
- Mentor and coach solution / data architects and engineers to build internal data architecture capability.
- Advocate for best practices, tools, and methods related to data architecture.
- Ensure understanding and compliance of data protection policies, security policies, and GDPR

DELIVERABLE INVOLVEMENT & OWNERSHIP

- Reference Architectures: Own and maintain reusable architectural patterns
- High-Level Designs (HLDs): Review and approve HLDs from Solution Architects and 3rd parties
- Key Design Decisions (KDDs): Own and govern major architectural decisions for alignment with the Architecture Review Board and beyond
- Architecture Option Assessments: Lead decisioning on tooling, modelling, and patterns

DATA & PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE OWNERSHIP

- Develop and maintain current and future state data architectures, models, and roadmaps.
- Promote awareness and understanding of data architectures across the organization.
- Review and validate high-level models and reference architecture libraries
- Approve changes to shared or enterprise-wide data models

Knowledge and Experience

ESSENTIAL:

- Previous experience as a Senior Data or Platform Architect essential
- Proven experience as a senior data or platform architect, or similar leadership role in data & platform strategy.
- Strong background in data modelling, architecture frameworks, and modern data integration methods.
- Deep understanding of cloud-based data platforms (Azure) and tools (Databricks, SQL, ADF etc) as well as analytics solutions.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and align across business and technology functions.
- Experience building and evolving data & platform architectures that scale and adapt to changing business needs.
- Passion for coaching and enabling others with a collaborative leadership approach.
- Knowledgeable in Data Source systems (eg. SAP) and Data Lake technology
- Stakeholder management and communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Fluent in writing and speaking English

DESIRED:

- Previous experience in CPG industry would be ideal
- Experience at operating in a complex global matrix organisation
- Experience at collaborating with cross-functional partners
- High drive for results and an ability to work with minimum input

What can you expect from Mars?

- Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
- Join a purpose-driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
- An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.