Data Architect

RFG Advisory, LLC; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Bonus pool

PTO & holidays

401(k) plan

Job summary

RFG Advisory, LLC is seeking a hands-on Data Platform Lead to own the data platform end to end. You will manage Snowflake, pipelines, and governance while enabling AI readiness and secure access across the firm.

This role combines individual coding with guiding a growing team, reporting to the VP of Technology. You will design canonical data models, define architecture roadmaps, and ensure data quality and lineage across core business systems, including financial and CRM sources.

Qualifications

• Deep experience owning data platforms end to end.
• Proven ability to design canonical data models and governance.
• Experience with financial, CRM, and marketing data sources.

Responsibilities

• Own Snowflake environment including structure, environments, compute, cost.
• Run reliable data pipelines with monitoring for freshness and errors.
• Define data architecture roadmap and reference patterns.
• Build governed data catalog with metrics definitions and owners.
• Design row-level access and data protection controls.
• Lead AI readiness with a safe semantic layer for internal tools.

Skills

Data governance

SQL/Production SQL

Snowflake

Data modeling

Dashboards

AI readiness

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering

CFA / MBA (strong plus)

Analytics certification (optional)

Tools

Snowflake

Claude / ChatGPT / Copilot

Job description

RFG Advisory supports independent financial Advisors with the technology, investment, and operational resources they need to grow their practices. We are scaling quickly, and technology, data, and AI are central to how we serve Advisors and their clients.We are looking for a hands-on data leader to own our data platform end to end. Our platform runs on Snowflake and brings together data from many business systems to power dashboards, search, and AI assistants used across the firm and by our clients. You will make that data accurate, secure, well-governed, and ready for AI. This is a player-coach role: you will be our senior data expert and will personally write production SQL, design data models, and make the call on data questions, while setting the standards a growing team will follow. Expect to spend most of your first year building.Location: This role can be in our Birmingham office or remote.If in Birmingham, AL, our office works a hybrid schedule (3 days in-office, 2 remote).If remote, occasional travel to Birmingham will be required including onboarding.Reports to: VP of TechnologyWhat You'll DoData Platform OwnershipOwn our Snowflake environment: account structure, environments, compute, performance, and cost.Run reliable pipelines from core business systems, including financial, CRM, and marketing platforms, with monitoring for freshness, completeness, and errors.Put all data logic under version control with code review, automated testing, and a defined release process.Define the target data architecture and roadmap, including reference architecture and standard integration patterns.Tune performance, troubleshoot issues, and own backup, recovery, and retention for data assets.Review new projects and requests for their data impact and produce high-level designs before work starts.Simplify the data landscape: remove duplicate data and pipelines, and keep current diagrams of how data flows across systems.Building the Data Model & Metric LayerDesign and deliver a canonical data model for the firm's core business entities such as clients, accounts, and transactions.Create a governed catalog of business metrics with clear definitions, owners, and tests.Reconcile key figures to source systems and the general ledger, and publish the results.Establish data governance: a data catalog with business definitions and lineage, data quality rules and monitoring, and named owners for key data.Client Data ProtectionDesign and maintain row-level access so each user and business unit sees only the data they are entitled to across every data surface, and test it regularly.Lead classification, masking, and access reviews for client personal information in partnership with IT and Security.Track changing privacy and data protection rules and partner with Compliance so our data practices stay ahead of them.AI ReadinessBuild a documented semantic layer that AI assistants and internal tools can query safely.Give AI and engineering teams governed datasets and access patterns so new tools can ship quickly.Migrations, Reporting & Partner ManagementLead the data work for system migrations.Deliver the firm scorecard and leadership reporting on the same governed metrics used across the firm.Hold technology vendors and development partners to clear data standards, and keep the firm able to move its data and logic between platforms.Guide and upskill vendor engineers: set quality standards, review their work, and manage technical dependencies and roadmap milestones across teams.Requirements:Experience5-10 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, or consulting.At least 2-4 years of experience in a similar role at an acquisitive wealth management firm or broker-dealer actively pursuing M&A, minority investments, or Advisor consolidation; required and non-negotiable.Demonstrated experience sourcing high-quality investment and M&A opportunities.Proven track record building detailed models to support minority investments or M&A.Experience generating management or IC-style presentations for senior internal and external stakeholders.Skills & CompetenciesStrong understanding of corporate finance, valuation, and complex investment and M&A transaction structures, and the execution process from term sheet to closing.Confident, professional communicator able to sell RFG's capital solutions programs and the broader RFG story to financial Advisors with credibility and gravitas.Exceptional written and verbal skills; able to write clear memos, crisp email updates, and concise commentary for senior executives.High ownership mentality; treats the firm's resources and investments with individual responsibility and accountability for outcomes.Eager to proactively network, attend industry events, and identify opportunities rather than waiting for deals to come to you.Able to turn around complex work products quickly without sacrificing accuracy or quality.Highly organized, reliable, and comfortable managing multiple workstreams simultaneously.Deeply curious about new concepts and technologies, including AI, that can enhance corporate development processes.Comfortable with ambiguity and evolving priorities in a fast-paced, PE-backed environment.Technology & ToolsOutstanding Excel skills including fully-linked 3-statement models, sensitivity and scenario analysis, debt schedules, waterfalls, and returns analysis.PowerPoint power user; able to create clean, executive-ready decks with strong structure and visuals.Experience leveraging AI tools including Claude, ChatGPT, or Microsoft Copilot to build financial models, design processes, and conduct data analysis.Education & CredentialsBachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.CFA (Level I, II, or III), MBA, or CA designation is a strong plus.Compensation:$Company:RFG Advisory is a platform for growth-minded Independent Advisors who want to scale without compromise. We're building the RIA of the Future-powered by innovation, collaboration, and execution. We take care of each other first. We show up with servant hearts and growth mindsets. We lead boldly, iterate to excellence, and commit to getting 1% better every day. If you're energized by precision, structure, and being the person who makes it all happen-we'd love to meet you.www.RFGadvisory.com/awardsThis hiring process may include the use of automated tools to assist with resume review. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by qualified human reviewers. For more information about our hiring practices, data use, and accommodation request procedures, please review our Privacy Policy. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. We will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process.Benefits and Compensation:Salary: $160,000-$180,000Competitive salary + bonus poolGenerous PTO, holidays, and a Charitable Service DayHealth, dental, vision insurance + RFG Advisory stipendFlexible Spending Account (Health and Dependent Care) + HSA for applicable coverageLifestyle Spending Account401(k) with Safe Harbor contributionPaid parental leave, short- and long-term disability, life insuranceSurface Pro + home office setupPet InsuranceContinuing education and professional development support