Data Lead

Kforce Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Kforce in Chicago, IL is seeking a Data Lead to define and operate observability tooling, optimize cloud costs, and enforce governance across a large-scale data platform. The role requires 7+ years in data engineering or data architecture and collaboration with governance leads.

The ideal candidate will balance innovation with reliability, drive cost efficiencies, and ensure compliance with HIPAA and other regulations while guiding platform security and data quality initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field preferred or equivalent work experience.
• 7+ years of experience in data engineering, data platform engineering, or data architecture required.
• Proven experience designing, building, and operating a large-scale data platform.

Responsibilities

• Define and operate observability tooling and monitoring practices for platform health, cost optimization, model performance, data quality, and governance compliance; drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive cloud cost optimization through cluster configuration, capacity planning, storage management, and cost allocation across business units.
• Implement platform security controls, including encryption, access management, and audit logging, in alignment with IT Security policy and HIPAA and other regulatory requirements.
• Define, configure, and enforce platform-level governance controls (e.g., Unity Catalog, access policies, lineage tooling, data quality monitoring, validation, and issue-escalation processes).
• Partner with the Data Governance Lead to translate Enterprise Data Office policies into platform configuration and automated enforcement.
• Implement technical controls supporting AI governance, including model lifecycle management, monitoring, and drift detection.

Education

High School diploma/GED

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field

Job description

Responsibilities

Kforce has a client in Chicago, IL that is seeking a Data Lead. Responsibilities:

• Define and operate observability tooling and monitoring practices for platform health, cost optimization, model performance, data quality, and governance compliance; Drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Drive cloud cost optimization through cluster configuration, capacity planning, storage management, and cost allocation across business units
• Implement platform security controls, including encryption, access management, and audit logging, in alignment with IT Security policy and HIPAA and other regulatory requirements
• Define, configure, and enforce platform-level governance controls (e.g., Unity Catalog, access policies, lineage tooling, data quality monitoring, validation, and issue-escalation processes)
• Partner with the Data Governance Lead to translate Enterprise Data Office policies into platform configuration and automated enforcement
• Implement technical controls supporting AI governance, including model lifecycle management, monitoring, and drift detection
• May include other responsibilities as assigned

Requirements

• High School diploma/GED required
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field preferred or equivalent work experience
• 7+ years of experience in data engineering, data platform engineering, or data architecture required
• Proven experience designing, building, and operating a large-scale data platform, preferably and business disciplines
• Strong ability to influence, negotiate, and drive alignment across stakeholders without direct authority
• Ability to balance innovation and delivery speed with operational reliability, cost efficiency, and regulatory requirements

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.