Senior IT Director, Data Management and Architecture

Job Summary:

Under broad general supervision provides vision strategy leadership planning and management for Zeniths data architecture. The position will have deep technical expertise with the latest technologies and strong organization management skills along with a proven track record of leading organizations for the data transformation journey. The position will oversee the organizations overall data strategy ensuring seamless data integration robust business intelligence solutions and enterprise data warehousing. This role involves leading a team of data professionals and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to enable a data-informed decision-making process.

This role is eligible to participate in Zeniths hybrid work schedule which provides the flexibility to work from home on select days of the week according to the in-office schedule established by regional executive leadership. Selected candidate must be able to report into a Zenith office on a weekly basis.

Essential Functions:

• The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to the following:
• Build mentor and manage a high-performing data solutions team and establish an effective data organization structure.
• Develops and implements an organizational-wide data strategy.
• Establishes metrics to support design decisions and business cases.
• Provide necessary guidance to ensure successful execution and maintenance of production processes that include data integration data warehouse analytics and other data tools and infrastructure
• Experience in modern data management platforms like Snowflake Databricks Fabric or equivalent.
• Lead modernization efforts from legacy systems to modern platforms
• Direct the design development and maintenance of the enterprise data infrastructure including data warehouse and data lake
• Leads evaluation selection and implementation of tools to satisfy IT business and Cybersecurity requirements.
• Lead the creation and optimization of ETL processes for efficient data extraction transformation and loading.
• Ensure high-quality trusted master data across domains (Claim Insured Agent etc.).
• Lead data modeling efforts to support analytics reporting and AI/ML readiness
• Ensure seamless data integration across systems and applications.
• Has experience satisfying CIS controls and/or cybersecurity regulations pertaining to data.
• Establishes and fosters the Data Governance process.
• Define and enforce data governance policies standards and procedures.
• Build and mentor high-performing teams of data engineers analysts and product managers
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement accountability and collaboration.
• Demonstrate success in coaching change management and stakeholder engagement
• Stay current with emerging technologies and data trends evaluating their applicability to the organization
• Ensures the highest quality products are delivered to end users through flawless execution on initiatives.
• Develops and implements methods and appropriate automation allowing the organization to scale.
• Establishes maintains and advances the practices within the group including standards resource management alignment with other key practices and well defined transitional responsibilities between IT functional areas and business units.
• Collaborate with functional area and technical stakeholders to understand data needs translating those needs into actionable data solutions
• Assigns monitors and manages staff workload to ensure that all resources have meaningful challenging and rewarding assignments are fully utilized and team productivity is optimized.
• Identifies areas for improvement and assesses benefits/costs/impacts for potential solutions.
• Exercises independent judgment within broadly defined procedures and policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Develops a strong working relationship with other managers within IT and with business partners.
• Promotes cooperation between the business development and the data teams.
• Has the ability to withstand pressures and say no when quality is insufficient or QA processes are not being adhered to during the project lifecycle.
• In conjunction with IT leadership Audit and CISO implements and maintains processes and artifacts to support the Data Portfolio; develops and maintains complete documentation of Data processes and procedures.
• Provides staff with technical and non-technical career & employee development planning including training and related assignments; Maintain documented succession/cross training plans for employees.
• Acts as an IT leader representing IT organization mission values and objectives within IT with our business partners and with our strategic development partners.
• Ability to engage at a strategic level to provide business consultation architect process/technical solutions develop and implement process improvements and to guide or lead change management activities.
• Works productively and harmoniously with others on a consistent basis.
• Responds positively to direction and criticism of performance.
• Consistently maintains professional and appropriate demeanor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in data management governance or data engineering roles.
• Proven track record in code modernization especially migrating legacy systems to Python.
• Proven track record in data platform modernization specifically technologies like Snowflake Databricks Fabric or equivalent.
• Hands on experience with cloud platforms (e.g. AWS Azure Oracle).
• Experience leading process improvement and technology efforts.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Deep understanding of how to implement data governance.
• Expertise in metadata management data quality and semantic layer integration.
• Strong oversight decision-making and communication skills.
• Experience with MDM tools and data modeling software.
• Proficiency in Python and modern data engineering practices.
• Must have demonstrated ability to negotiate or persuade others in complex situations.
• Strong group facilitation and team building skills.
• Excellent written skills required for preparation of process documentation deliverables proposals and statements of work.
• Excellent verbal interpersonal and presentation skills.

Education:

• High School Diploma required
• Bachelors Degree preferred. Or Equivalent combination of training / experience

Work Experience:

• 5 years IT management experience
• 7 years directly related experience in sub-discipline required

The expected salary range for this position is $151887.11- $220236.31. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience geographic location and other job-related factors as permitted by law. Qualifications may warrant placement in a different job level.

Benefits

Medical Dental and Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid Parental Leave
Life AD&D and Disability Insurance
401(k) Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Education and Training Reimbursement
Paid Leave: 3 weeks/year Vacation 2 weeks/year Sick Leave
10 paid Company Holidays 2 Personal Days 2 Floating Holidays
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
For more information review details on the Benefits page of our Career Site: typically posts jobs for a minimum of 8 to 14 calendar days. If you are interested in any of our open positions we encourage you to submit your application promptly.

Zenith Insurance Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability protected veteran status or any other legally protected compliance with California law we are committed to fair hiring practices. Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act (AB 1008) we will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the law. Additionally in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance we will not inquire about an applicants criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and need assistance accessing our career center or applying for a position due to your disability you are entitled to request an accommodation. To make a request please contact a Human resources representative at Zenith Insurance Company.

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Required Experience:

Director