Chief Data Strategist

Verizon; Irving (TX); Hybrid; USD 177,000 - 339,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

401(k) matching

Paid holidays

Tuition assistance

Parental leave

Job summary

Verizon is seeking an experienced senior leader to drive data strategy and cloud-enabled modernization across the enterprise. You will oversee federated model rollout, align global data teams, and prioritize transformation initiatives while ensuring governance and quality across vast data assets.

The role requires deep expertise in the modern data stack, enterprise architecture, and strong stakeholder influence, with hybrid work in a large corporate environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in enterprise data strategy, cloud data migrations, or data infra optimization.
• 7+ years in a senior leadership role managing large, distributed teams.
• Mastery of the Modern Data Stack and data fabric/mesh concepts.
• Proven ability to influence SVPs/VPs and technical stakeholders to centralized standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic rollout of the Governed Federated Model across Verizon, engaging with senior leaders.
• Oversee transition of data teams to a functional model to reduce complexity and boost accountability.
• Balance BAU operational deliverables with high-impact Transformation Tiger Team initiatives.
• Advance data technology and platform rationalization and consolidation across the enterprise.
• Drive integration of critical data assets into Google Cloud and enterprise framework.
• Promote a single, shared data sandbox with automated quality controls.
• Define architecture standards and roadmaps for modern data infrastructure.
• Train federated data engineers on common standards and governance.
• Enable enterprise AI applications with scalable data tech stack.

Skills

Data Strategy

Cloud Migrations

Executive Leadership

Data Architecture

Stakeholder Influence

AI Readiness

Google Cloud

Enterprise Data Platforms

Data Fabric / Mesh

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/IS

MBA

Master's in Technical Field

Tools

Google Cloud

Enterprise Data Platforms

Data Fabric / Mesh

Job description

When you join Verizon

You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely — even if they’re daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love — driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together — lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Data Strategy & Operating Model Evolution
• Federated Model Execution: Lead the strategic rollout of the new Governed Federated Model across Verizon, directly engaging with VPs and SVPs across business units to integrate localized data operations into a centralized framework.
• Global Team Alignment: Oversee the functional transition of data teams, moving from a legacy mirrored geographic structure to a streamlined, functional model to reduce complexity and foster absolute accountability.
• Resource Prioritization: Manage the strategic demand intake to balance critical Business-As-Usual (BAU) operational deliverables with high-intensity "Transformation Tiger Team" initiatives.
• Data Technology & Platform Rationalization
• Ecosystem Consolidation: Directly address and eliminate data duplication across the enterprise, systematically shutting down non-federated spaces.
• Cross-Platform Data Integration: Expand the Google Cloud single source of truth by integrating critical external data assets—including legacy SQL Servers, Oracle Databases, and other third-party systems—into a unified, enterprise-wide framework.
• Unified Shared Sandbox: Champion the creation and adoption of a single, authoritative shared data sandbox equipped with automated quality controls and seamless discoverability, replacing over 100+ non-federated sandboxes.
• Table & Environment Reduction: Drive engineering rigor to collapse and organize a legacy landscape of 300K+ tables into a highly organized, highly discoverable technical framework.
• Architecture, Engineering Standards & Enablement
• Enterprise Data Standards: Define the technical standards and architectural roadmaps required to transition the business to a modern, agile, and secure data infrastructure.
• Access & Capability Training: Partner with global engineering teams to identify and train federated data engineers on common data standards, ensuring only certified builders can deploy within the shared sandbox environment.
• AI & Cloud Readiness: Optimize the data ecosystem on Google Cloud, building the underlying data tech stack necessary to seamlessly enable and scale enterprise AI applications.
• Data Industrialization
• State-of-the-Art Architecture: Procure, assemble, and integrate best-in-class technology capabilities to establish a modern, enterprise-grade data engineering ecosystem.
• Technology Infrastructure for Data: Architect and implement the core tech capabilities—including automated quality controls, embedded governance, and full operational observability that enable resilient, high-performance data pipelines across heterogeneous environments.
• Next-Gen Conversational Data Capabilities: Drive the adoption of conversational AI and natural language interfaces, enabling intuitive data discovery, querying, and interaction for technical and non-technical stakeholders alike.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in enterprise data strategy, large-scale cloud data migrations (Google Cloud preferred), or data infrastructure optimization.
• 7+ years in a senior leadership role managing large, distributed teams.
• Mastery of the Modern Data Stack, data fabric/mesh concepts, enterprise architecture, and experience managing hyper-scaled data footprints (hundreds of terabytes to petabytes).
• Exceptional executive presence with a proven track record of influencing cross-functional SVPs, VPs, and technical stakeholders to adopt centralized standards.
• Demonstrated success steering organizations through complex operational turnarounds, reducing legacy technical debt, and managing high-stress transformation teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans and drive innovation within a complex organizational structure.
• Experience managing budgets and vendor relationships within a large corporate environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and complex environment with multiple stakeholders across different Verizon business units.
• Strong business acumen with excellent influencing and negotiation skills.

Even Better If You Have

• Master of Business Administration or Master’s degree in a technical area of study
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in enterprise data strategy, large-scale cloud data migrations (Google Cloud preferred), or data infrastructure optimization.
• Experience within the telecommunications industry.
• Familiarity with Verizon's internal systems and processes.

Where you’ll be working

In this hybrid role, you'll have a defined work location that includes working from home and a minimum of three days per week in the office, which will be set by your manager. Employees are responsible for maintaining compliance with hybrid work policies.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Equal Employment Opportunity

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Benefits And Compensation

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we’ve got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.

The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is an incentive based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours.

The annual salary range for the location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $176,500.00 - $339,000.00.