Vice President, Data Architecture And Data Engineering

Job Description

Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.

Westat seeks an experienced and forward-thinking senior IT professional for the position of

Vice President, Data Architecture and Data Engineering. The Vice President, Data Architecture and Engineering position will provide technical and organizational leadership in our data ecosystem, leveraging a wide range of technology solutions and innovations to deliver high-quality data products.

Your success in this position hinges on your demonstrated IT leadership in designing, implementing, and managing large-scale data architecture and engineering initiatives, experience in project-driven environments, ability to deliver large-scale technology projects on-time and within budget, and expertise in collaborative leadership in a large organization.

This role is remote eligible.

Specific Data Architecture and Engineering responsibilities include:

• Oversee the design and implementation and maintenance of the organization's data and cloud architecture, including on-prem and cloud native systems, and end-to-end data and analytic solutions to deliver innovative solutions that drive business outcomes.

• Evaluate and select technologies and tools for data analytics, business intelligence, cloud data platforms, ML, NLP, and Generative AI development.

• Collaborate with business stakeholders and cross-functional teams within the organization to understand their data requirements and goals and provide solutions aligned with business objectives. This will include defining requirements, priorities, and ensuring seamless integration of on-premises and cloud technologies, and AI.

• Develop and implement initiatives to educate and communicate data ecosystem capabilities and roadmap. This includes communicating data strategies, technology modernization initiatives, risk, and challenges to business stakeholders.

• Establish a data governance framework of policies, standards, and procedures to safeguard sensitive data, and ensure compliance with data protection and regulations.

• Serve as a subject matter expert on emerging technologies regarding data storage, data management, data analytics, cloud infrastructure, and AI.

• Develop and implement data application integration, and seamless data flow across on-premises and cloud systems within the data ecosystem.

• Develop and implement data and AI strategy and innovative solutions that drive business outcomes.

• Provide technical leadership and guidance on best practices, standards, and methodologies for data engineering.

Basic Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum of 15 years' experience in data architecture and engineering.

• Strong strategic vision combined with experience developing and executing business strategy.

• Demonstrated leadership and communication capabilities.

• Proficient with cloud serverless technologies and data services

• Familiarity with industry SaaS data platforms such as Snowflake and Databricks.

• Experience with data modeling, DataOps, ETL processes and data integrations methods.

• Proven track record of bringing innovation to enterprise platforms.

• Experience with data modeling, data storage concepts such as data warehousing, data lakes and lakehouses, and real-time analytics.

• Knowledge of data governance, data security, and regulatory compliance requirements.

• Experience managing large datasets in support of federal data capture projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep understanding of FISMA/NIST 800-53 security controls.

• Relevant certifications in cloud computing, data management and project management.

• Experience with federal research projects.

• Domain knowledge of health and social policy data.

• Experience providing IT solutions as part of federal contracts.

• Experience providing IT solutions in a diverse, matrixed organization.

• Experience negotiating access to and using federal restricted use data.

• Domain knowledge of complex survey data management.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Paid Parental Leave

• Vacation Leave (20 days per year)

• Sick Leave (10 days per year)

• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)

• Professional Development

• Health Advocate

• Employee Assistance Program

• Travel Accident Insurance

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Short Term Disability Insurance

• Long Term Disability Insurance

• Life and AD&D Insurance

• Critical Illness Insurance

• Supplemental Life Insurance

• Flexible Spending Account

• Health Savings Account

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.

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