Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Information Systems, or related field/ equivalent experience; 8+ years of experience in data engineering, data analytics, or data platform, with at least 3 years in a leadership role (Director-level)/5+yrs progressive experience (Team Lead level); Extensive hands-on experience with Azure Databricks (including Python, SQL, Delta Lake, real-time streaming, and Delta Live Tables) and Azure Data Factory for orchestrating complex data pipelines; Skilled in using dbt (SQL and Jinja templating) for data transformation workflows and Power BI for designing intuitive dashboards and visual analytics; Strong expertise in data modeling methodologies, including: Dimensional modeling (e.g., Kimball methodology) for analytical/OLAP environments; Relational modeling for transactional systems (e.g., SQL Server, DB2). Direct and nurture a high-performing analytics organization, including Data Engineering, BI, Data Science enablement, and Governance functions; Cultivate a high-accountability environment that emphasizes technical excellence, innovation, and continuous professional development; Oversee talent acquisition, retention strategies, and performance management across the analytics team; Manage and optimize the analytics operating budget, including headcount, platforms, and cloud infrastructure, ensuring resource allocation aligns with strategic outcomes; Collaborate closely with Finance to maintain budget discipline, manage vendor relationships, and transparently report value delivered relative to investment; Monitor and forecast usage-based cloud expenses (e.g., Azure Databricks, Data Factory, storage, licensing), proactively adjusting to balance performance and cost-effectiveness; Data Architecture & Platform Stewardship.