Data Engineering and Architecture Practice Lead

Clearsulting LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 185,000 - 285,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Unlimited PTO

Paid parental leave

Retirement plans

Flexible work environment

Cell phone reimbursement

Mental health resources

Life insurance and disability

Job summary

Clearsulting is expanding its Data Engineering and Architecture practice and seeks an entrepreneurial leader to define and build the capability. You will shape the offering portfolio, establish scalable delivery frameworks, and drive growth by partnering with clients and internal teams across the CFO and AI practice areas.

The role blends strategy, people development, and hands-on leadership in a hybrid/remote work environment with 0–40% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience leading consulting engagements and teams.
• Deep expertise in modern data architecture and engineering, including cloud platforms and AI foundations.

Responsibilities

• Define vision, strategy, and growth plan for the Data Engineering and Architecture practice.
• Lead market development, executive relationship building, and go-to-market activities.
• Oversee client engagements across data strategy, architecture, cloud modernization, and AI enablement.
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing data engineering/architecture team.
• Collaborate with multiple practices to deliver integrated client solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Data architecture

Cloud platforms

Data governance

AI foundations

Executive relationships

Business development

Program management

Delivery excellence

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business or Finance

Tools

Cloud platforms

Data governance

AI foundations

Job description

Data Engineering and Architecture Practice Lead

About this position

Who We Are:

Clearsulting is a global consulting company with the motivation to deliver positive change through digital finance. Our team consists of finance specialists that bring experience and technical capabilities across the spectrum of finance, including financial close, digital reporting, risk advisory, treasury and more.

Clearsulting stands by its culture, shaped by our five Core Values: GRIT, Growth Mindset, Joy, Accountability, and Teamwork. Our unwavering dedication to these principles has garnered national recognition for our strong leadership, innovative approach, and outstanding workplace environment.

• Sunday Times Best Places to Work Award (2025-2026)
• 'Great Place to Work' Certified (2022-2026)
• Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Consulting (2022-2024)
• Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America (2020-2023)

Location:

Clearsulting is headquartered in Cleveland, OH, with additional offices located in Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; and Dallas, TX. Other cities are welcome remotely. Office Options: Hybrid or Remote. Team members residing within a 45 minute commuting radius of a Clearsulting office, we expect 8 days of in-person work per month, allowing flexibility choosing these days to accommodate client meetings, team syncs and individual schedules. Travel Expectations: 0-40%.

The Opportunity

Clearsulting is developing a Data Engineering and Architecture practice that will extend our Office of the CFO capabilities, strengthen our AI offerings, and enable us to participate in broader enterprise data and transformation programs. We are seeking an entrepreneurial Data Engineering & Architecture Practice Lead to help define, build, and lead this capability. This is not a role with a fully prescribed service portfolio or operating model. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the direction of the practice based on client demand, Clearsulting’s existing market position, developments in enterprise AI, and the evolving needs of finance, data, and technology leaders.

The initial practice thesis centers on three connected areas:

• Finance data strategy, architecture, integration, governance, and controls
• Enterprise data engineering, architecture, and modern cloud data platforms
• Data and knowledge foundations required to operationalize enterprise AI

The practice may evolve beyond these initial areas as the market develops. The Practice Lead will be responsible for identifying where Clearsulting can establish a differentiated position, translating that position into compelling client offerings, and building the people, methods, partnerships, and delivery capabilities required to scale.

What you’ll do

Define and Build the Practice

Define and lead the vision, strategy, and growth plan for Clearsulting's Data Engineering and Architecture practice, establishing a differentiated position in the market. Develop scalable service offerings, methodologies, accelerators, and delivery frameworks spanning enterprise data, cloud platforms, data architecture, and AI foundations. Build the operating model, talent strategy, partnerships, and capabilities required to support sustainable growth and evolving client needs.

Drive Market Development and Growth

Drive practice growth by developing executive relationships, identifying client opportunities, and expanding Clearsulting's presence within technology, data, and transformation organizations. Lead business development efforts including solution design, proposal development, pricing strategy, and contract negotiations. Own practice performance and growth objectives, including pipeline, bookings, revenue, profitability, and strategic partnerships.

Lead Client Delivery

Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business, finance, and technology leaders, guiding complex data, analytics, and transformation initiatives. Oversee the successful delivery of engagements across data strategy, architecture, engineering, governance, cloud modernization, and AI enablement. Ensure client engagements deliver measurable business outcomes while maintaining high standards of quality, risk management, and delivery excellence.

Build and Lead the Team

Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team of data architects, engineering leaders, and consulting professionals. Foster a culture of technical excellence, client service, innovation, and collaboration aligned with Clearsulting's Core Values. Establish career development pathways, governance standards, and delivery capabilities that support long-term practice growth.

Collaborate Across Clearsulting

Partner with leaders across Business Advisory, Office of the CFO, AI, and technology practices to develop integrated client solutions and go-to-market strategies. Help embed data and architecture capabilities into broader transformation initiatives, creating greater value for clients and expanding Clearsulting's impact. Contribute to firmwide growth, innovation, talent development, and strategic planning initiatives.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business or Finance
• 10+ years of consulting, data, technology, architecture, engineering, or enterprise transformation experience, including leadership responsibility for complex client engagements and teams.
• Demonstrated experience building, scaling, or leading a consulting practice, service line, technology organization, or significant capability area.
• Deep expertise in modern data architecture and engineering, including cloud platforms, data governance, architecture frameworks, data quality, and AI-ready data foundations.
• Proven ability to translate business and technology requirements into scalable data strategies, architectures, and transformation programs.
• Experience building trusted relationships with senior executives and leading business development efforts, including opportunity qualification, solution design, proposal development, and account growth.
• Track record of leading large-scale transformation programs from strategy through implementation while delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Experience recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing consulting and technical teams.
• Strong financial, operational, and executive communication skills, including experience managing practice performance, revenue, profitability, and growth objectives.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment while embodying Clearsulting’s Core Values.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience supporting finance transformation, ERP, EPM, reporting, data governance, or AI enablement initiatives.
• Experience across multiple cloud, data, or analytics platforms and relevant industry certifications.
• Experience developing managed services, global delivery models, strategic partnerships, or acquisition-related integration activities.
• Existing relationships within the data, analytics, technology, or enterprise transformation market.

Benefits that Benefit You

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Unlimited PTO
• Paid parental leave
• Retirement plans
• Flexible work environment
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Access to mental health apps
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Opportunities for ad hoc bonuses

Learn more about Clearsulting by visiting https://www.clearsulting.com/careers/culture/

The compensation range for this position is $185,000 - 285,000. We are committed to ensuring our offers reflect the value each candidate brings to the role. Final salary placement will be based on upon several factors, including, level of expertise, relevant work experience, technology certifications, educational background, geography and alignment with industry standards. This role is eligible for our bonus program.

Clearsulting is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. We make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without discrimination on any basis protected by applicable local and statutory law.

Clearsulting participates in E-Verify to confirm U.S. employment eligibility; please review the required E-Verify Participation Notice and Right to Work Notice.