Lead Data Architect
Richmond, VA - USA
Job Summary
What part will you play If youre looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference youve found it.
The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities and youll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. Were always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realize our potential we can help others reach theirs. Join us and play your part in something special! The Lead Data Architect provides strategic and hands-on leadership across divisional data initiatives guiding delivery teams in building scalable data solutions within a modern cloud-based data ecosystem. This role balances high-level architecture with practical execution ensuring data solutions align with business needs performance requirements and long-term architecture goals.Key Responsibilities
- As part of a data architecture organization provide architectural guidance to two or three concurrent data delivery teams (typically 45 engineers per team) across data initiatives
- Design and evolve data architecture across a Databricks-first lakehouse in a broader Azure ecosystem understanding both target state and appropriate trade-offs
- Partner with engineering teams to support their detailed solutions and implementation through design reviews guidance and targeted hands-on contribution where needed
- Specify data solutions that meet non-functional requirements (NFRs) such as scalability performance and reliability
- Perform technology evaluations in support of the teams with appropriate recommendations and reasoning
- Assess technical challenges and problems provide options and make recommendations
- Guide ingestion and integration strategies including API-based data exchange
- Lead without direct reporting authority influencing teams through expertise and collaboration
Required Experience & Qualifications
- 710 years of progressive experience in data engineering pipeline development and data architecture roles developing Data Lakes and Data Warehouses
- Background progressing from developer through at least team lead
- Strong experience designing and working with the full lifecycle of data-centric architectures
- Hands-on experience with cloud development in Databricks
- Experience with structured and unstructured data (e.g. JSON files media)
- Understanding of both relational and non-relational solutions
- Understanding of APIs and data integration patterns
- Strong communication and stakeholder influence skills (written verbal)
- Know when to make independent decisions and when to circle back to the broader team with appropriate questions
- Work within a new domain by identifying gaps in knowledge and actively seeking answers
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Guidewire Insurance Suite data
- Azure Solutions Architect certification (nice-to-have)
- Experience working in Property & Casualty insurance data domains
- An understanding of London and international markets would be a plus
Role Expectations
- With support from the team a typical candidate ramps to a high degree of independence within the first six months
US Work Authorization
US Work Authorization required. Markel does not provide visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future.
Who we are:
Markel Group (NYSE MKL) a fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20 countries is a holding company for insurance reinsurance specialist advisory and investment operations around the world.
Were all about people We win together We strive for better
We enjoy the everyday We think further
Whats in it for you:
In keeping with the values of the Markel Style we strive to support our employees in living their lives to the fullest at home and at work.
We offer competitive benefit programs that help meet our diverse and changing environment as well as support our employees needs at all stages of life.
All full-time employees have the option to select from multiple health dental and vision insurance plan options and optional life disability and AD&D insurance.
We also offer a 401(k) with employer match contributions an Employee Stock Purchase Plan PTO corporate holidays and floating holidays parental leave.
Are you ready to play your part
Choose Apply Now to fill out our short application so that we can find out more about you.
Caution: Employment scams
Markel is aware of employment-related scams where scammers will impersonate recruiters by sending fake job offers to those actively seeking employment in order to steal personal information. Frequently the scammer will reach out to individuals who have posted their resume online. These job offers include convincing offer letters and frequently ask for confidential personal information. Therefore for your safety please note that:
All legitimate job postings with Markel will be posted on Markel Careers. No other URL should be trusted for job postings.
All legitimate communications with Markel recruiters will come from email addresses.
We would also ask that you please report any job employment scams related to Markel to .
Markel is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic. This includes race; color; sex; religion; creed; national origin or place of birth; ancestry; age; disability; affectional or sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; genetic information sickle cell trait or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait; refusal to submit to genetic tests or make genetic test results available; medical condition; citizenship status; pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions; marital status civil union status domestic partnership status familial status or family responsibilities; military or veteran status including unfavorable discharge from military service; personal appearance height or weight; matriculation or political affiliation; expunged juvenile records; arrest and court records where prohibited by applicable law; status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence; public assistance status; order of protection status; status as a smoker or nonsmoker; membership or activity in local commissions; the use or nonuse of lawful products off employer premises during non-work hours; declining to attend meetings or participate in communications about religious or political matters; or any other classification protected by applicable law.
Should you require any accommodation through the application process please send an e-mail to the.
No agencies please.
Required Experience:
Staff IC