Data Platform Lead

Pennant Solutions Group; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennant Solutions Group seeks a Data Platform Lead to own and evolve our enterprise Data Lakehouse platform, translating business needs into robust analytics capabilities. You will bridge strategy and execution, partnering with leadership, attorneys, and tech teams to drive platform governance and delivery.

The role emphasizes Azure and Databricks expertise, stakeholder management, and a practical approach to data quality, security, and release processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in enterprise data/platform roles.
• Strong SQL for data validation and pipelines.
• Proven ability to translate business requirements into data solutions.
• Experience with data governance, security, and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Own the platform lifecycle, configuration, and enhancements of the Data Lakehouse.
• Lead stakeholder and vendor relationships, coordinating implementations and roadmaps.
• Translate business KPIs into data, pipelines, and architecture requirements.
• Monitor operations, resolve data issues, and maintain data reconciliation.
• Own end-to-end platform documentation, security, and access controls.
• Collaborate with BI/AI/DW teams to ensure reliable data for downstream use.

Skills

Stakeholder management

SQL

Communication

Platform governance

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Systems/CS/Business

Tools

Microsoft Azure

Databricks

Entegrata

Microsoft Fabric

Job description

Must be a US Citizen or GC

We are seeking a dynamic, business-orientedData Platform Lead to take umbrella ownership of our enterprise Data Lakehouse platform. In this high-impact, visible leadership role, you will bridge the gap between business strategy and technical execution—acting as the primary product advocate and operational owner of the platform.

Operating as an individual contributor, you will partner closely with firm leadership, attorneys, department chiefs, and technical teams (including Data Architects and BI/AI Developers) to translate core business requirements into robust data and analytics capabilities. The ideal candidate blends solid foundational knowledge of Microsoft Azure and Databricks (experience with Entegrata is a plus) with exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and platform governance skills.

This role offers a flexible hybrid schedule (3 days in-office, including required Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 2 days remote) and can be based out of any firm office location.

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Key Responsibilities

• Platform Ownership & Strategy: Drive the functional and operational lifecycle, configuration, and enhancement of the enterprise Data Lakehouse platform, aligning capabilities with firm-wide business objectives, reporting needs, and AI/BI initiatives.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Act as the primary liaison between firm leadership, cross-functional business stakeholders, and technology partners. Manage the relationship with platform vendors (such as Entegrata/Databricks), coordinating implementations, support escalations, and roadmap planning.
• Requirements Translation: Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand workflows, KPIs, and reporting needs, translating them into actionable data, pipeline, and architecture requirements alongside the Data Architect.
• Operational Health & Data Validation: Monitor daily platform operations, investigate pipeline failures or data discrepancies, coordinate root-cause resolutions, and maintain rigorous data reconciliation processes between source and target systems.
• Governance & Documentation: Own end-to-end platform documentation—including data flows, system dependencies, support procedures, and release notes. Champion best practices in security, access control, and data governance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with BI/Visualization Developers, Software Engineers, and AI Integration Engineers to ensure seamless downstream consumption of reliable, clean data.

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Required Skills and Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of experience administering, supporting, or owning an enterprise data, analytics, data warehousing, or business-critical platform.
• Cloud & Data Technologies: Practical familiarity with Microsoft Azure, Databricks, or cloud Data Lakehouse architectures. Familiarity with or exposure to Entegrata or Microsoft Fabric is highly desirable.
• Data Querying & Analysis: Strong working knowledge of SQL to validate data loads, investigate reconciliation discrepancies, and troubleshoot data pipelines.
• Communication & Interpersonal Strengths: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts to executive leaders, attorneys, and non-technical stakeholders with a professional, personable demeanor.
• Platform Operations: Proven track record managing technology vendors, coordinate platform upgrades, and maintain operational documentation.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Industry Experience (Preferred): Prior experience in legal, professional services, or confidentiality-sensitive corporate environments is a strong plus.