Head of Database Engineering

About this role:

Wells Fargo is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Database Engineering to lead our multifaceted database teams. The ideal candidate will be responsible for the overarching strategy architecture security and 24/7 availability of our entire database portfolio. This role is critical to our banking operations ensuring our data assets are managed with the highest standards of integrity performance and regulatory compliance. You will be instrumental in driving our data platform strategy leading the modernization of our database infrastructure from legacy to cloud-native and enabling data-driven decision-making across the enterprise.

In this role you will:

• Strategic Leadership:Develop articulate and execute a comprehensive database technology roadmap that aligns with the banks business objectives. Provide visionary leadership fostering a culture of technical excellence automation security and continuous improvement.
• Holistic Database Management:Oversee the entire lifecycle (design implementation optimization and maintenance) of all database systems.
• This includes:
  • Core Relational Databases:Oracle (RAC Exadata DataGuard)andMicrosoft SQL Server (AlwaysOn Availability Groups).
  • Open Source Databases:Enterprise deployments ofPostgreSQLand its variants.
  • NoSQL & New-Gen Databases:Platforms such asMongoDB Cassandra or Redisused for specialized high-performance applications.
  • Cloud Database Services:Management of and migration to cloud-native databases on platforms likeAWS (RDS Aurora)andAzure (Azure SQL Cosmos DB).
• Team Leadership and Development:Lead mentor and empower a high-performing team of database administrators architects and engineers. Set clear objectives define career paths and manage resource allocation to meet project and operational demands.
• Security Governance and Compliance:Champion a security-first mindset. Implement and enforce robust security controls including data encryption at-rest and in-transit robust access control models and comprehensive audit logging. Ensure adherence to all relevant banking regulations (e.g. SOX PCI DSS GDPR).
• Performance Resiliency and Scalability:Lead efforts in proactive performance tuning root cause analysis and capacity planning across all database platforms. Define measure and meet strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs) Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs).
• Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity:Own and enhance the banks database backup recovery and high-availability strategies. Ensure plans are rigorously tested and capable of meeting the banks continuity requirements.
• Financial and Vendor Management:Manage the database technology budget including software licensing support contracts and cloud consumption. Lead negotiations with vendors like Oracle Microsoft and cloud providers to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Innovation and Modernization:Drive the evolution of the banks database landscape. Lead initiatives for cloud migration adoption of Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS) models and the evaluation of emerging data technologies to support digital transformation.

Required Qualifications:

• 8 years of Technology Strategic Leadership experience or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience training military experience education
• 4 years of management or leadership experience

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in computer science Information Technology or a related field
• 8 years in data platform roles
• 5 years in a leadership or management position overseeing a database team within the banking or financial services industry
• Professional Certifications:High-level certifications such as Oracle Certified Master (OCM) Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or AWS Certified Solutions Architect
• Cloud Expertise:Proven experience migrating and managing databases in a major public cloud (AWS Azure GCP) with specific knowledge of services likeAmazon RDS/Aurora Azure SQL/Cosmos DB
• NoSQL Experience:Hands-on experience with NoSQL technologies likeMongoDB Cassandra or Redis
• Automation Mindset:Experience with infrastructure-as-code (IaC) principles and tools (e.g. Terraform Ansible) for database provisioning and management
• Framework Knowledge:Familiarity with IT governance frameworks such as ITIL and COBIT
• Technical Breadth:
  • Extensive expert-level experience managing a heterogeneous database environment including deep expertise inOracle (RAC DataGuard)andSQL Server (AlwaysOn)
  • Demonstrable experience with enterprise-levelPostgreSQLdeployments
• Core Technical Skills:
  • Strong mastery of database architecture data modeling performance tuning and security management across multiple platforms
  • Proficiency in database languages includingSQL PL/SQL and T-SQL
  • Solid understanding of underlying operating systems (Linux Windows) and storage technologies
• Leadership & Soft Skills:
  • Exceptional leadership communication and stakeholder management skills
  • Proven ability to translate business needs into technical strategy and execution plans
  • Strong analytical and high-pressure problem-solving abilities

Job Expectations:

• This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship
• This position offers a hybrid schedule

Posting End Date:

*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

We Value Equal Opportunity

Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability status as a protected veteran or any other legally protected characteristic.

Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit Market Financial Crimes Operational Regulatory Compliance) which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring governance risk identification and escalation as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business units risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.

Candidates applying to job openings posted in Canada: Applications for employment are encouraged from all qualified candidates including women persons with disabilities aboriginal peoples and visible minorities. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process.

Applicants with Disabilities

To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process visitDisability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.

Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:

a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.

b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.