Data Practice Lead

MarLabs; United States; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

MarLabs is seeking a Data Practice Lead to guide enterprise data transformations across analytics, AI, and cloud ecosystems. You will influence platform decisions, mentor teams, and partner with CTOs and CDOs to shape data strategy.

You will lead architecture, governance, and delivery, ensuring ROI-driven outcomes while staying current on cloud data innovations and AI tooling.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in data engineering, architecture or related roles.
• Hands-on with modern cloud data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake).
• Experience supporting pre-sales activities and ROI-driven proposals.
• Deep understanding of enterprise data architecture and governance.
• Experience guiding migrations to cloud data platforms.

Responsibilities

• Architect and guide scalable data solutions on cloud platforms.
• Lead pre-sales efforts, assess environments, justify ROI.
• Advise CTOs/CDOs on data strategy and modernization roadmaps.
• Act as architectural authority during delivery with governance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive data democratization.
• Mentor data practitioners and lead technical discussions.

Skills

Data engineering

Data architecture

Solution architecture

Cloud data platforms

Databricks

Snowflake

Pre-sales

Client-facing communication

Governance

ROI framing

Tools

Databricks

Snowflake

Job description

Marlabs, a global AI and Digital Solutions Consulting firm, delivers intelligent solutions across AI, data, analytics, and product engineering. Since 2000, we have partnered with some of the largest healthcare, life sciences, financial services, and government organizations worldwide. As we continue to expand our global footprint, we have an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled Data Practice Lead to join our innovative and dynamic team.

Data Practice Lead | About You

As a Data Practice Lead, you are a strategic and hands‑on expert in modern data platforms, helping organizations unlock the full value of their data across analytics, AI, and cloud ecosystems. You thrive in client‑facing roles, partnering with executives such as CTOs and CDOs to guide enterprise‑scale data transformations and platform decisions. You bring deep experience designing and evaluating solutions across leading cloud data platforms—such as Databricks and Snowflake—and provide clarity for complex challenges including migrations, governance, and AI enablement. You combine technical depth with strong business acumen, supporting pre‑sales engagements by assessing client needs, comparing platforms, and building ROI‑driven solution strategies. You lead through influence rather than hierarchy, mentor teams, and ensure solutions are delivered as designed and aligned with strategic goals.

Data Practice Lead | Day-to-Day

• Architect and guide the implementation of scalable data solutions across modern cloud data platforms, including Databricks and Snowflake, leveraging best‑practice patterns and reference architectures.
• Lead pre‑sales and business development efforts by assessing current‑state environments, identifying client pain points, comparing platform options, and justifying ROI for tailored data solutions.
• Advise client executives (CTOs, CDOs) on data strategy, platform selection, modernization roadmaps, and enterprise‑scale architecture decisions.
• Serve as the architectural authority during delivery, ensuring governance, quality, and alignment with original scope while acting as an escalation point for delivery teams.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, engineering, BI, platform, integration, and A, to drive innovation and enable data democratization.
• Mentor and guide data practitioners, leading technical discussions and delivery execution without direct people‑management responsibilities.
• Stay current on platform evolution and emerging capabilities across the cloud data ecosystem, including advancements in analytics, governance, and AI tooling.

Data Practice Lead | Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, solution architecture, or related roles.
• Strong hands‑on experience with modern cloud data platforms, including Databricks and/or Snowflake.
• Proven ability to support pre‑sales activities, including discovery sessions, technical evaluations, demos, and proposal development.
• Deep understanding of enterprise data architecture, data governance frameworks, and scalable solution design.
• Experience leading or supporting platform migrations from on‑prem or legacy systems to modern cloud data platforms.
• Ability to pragmatically compare data platforms (e.g., Databricks vs. Snowflake) and communicate tradeoffs, cost considerations, and ROI.
• Strong client‑facing communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes.