Data Strategy & AI Platform Leader

Verizon Communications; Basking Ridge (NJ); Hybrid; USD 176,500 - 339,000; Full time

Job summary

Verizon is seeking a Senior Director of Data Strategy & Technology to lead the transition to a Governed Federated Model, establishing a single source of truth for strategic data. You will drive enterprise-wide data modernization, cloud readiness, and AI-enabled capabilities across global teams.

The role requires 10+ years of leadership in data strategy and 7+ years in senior roles, with a strong executive presence and collaboration across Verizon units.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in enterprise data strategy, large-scale cloud data migrations (Google Cloud preferred), or data infrastructure optimization.
• 7+ years in a senior leadership role managing large, distributed teams.
• Mastery of the Modern Data Stack, data fabric/mesh concepts, enterprise architecture, and experience managing hyper-scaled data footprints (hundreds of terabytes to petabytes).
• Exceptional executive presence with a proven track record of influencing cross-functional SVPs, VPs, and technical stakeholders to adopt centralized standards.
• Demonstrated success steering organizations through complex operational turnarounds, reducing legacy technical debt, and managing high-stress transformation teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans and drive innovation within a complex organizational structure.
• Experience managing budgets and vendor relationships within a large corporate environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and complex environment with multiple stakeholders across different Verizon business units.
• Strong business acumen with excellent influencing and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Federated Model Execution: Lead the strategic rollout of the Governed Federated Model across Verizon, engaging with VPs/SVPs to centralize data operations.
• Global Team Alignment: Oversee transition of data teams from legacy geographic structure to a streamlined model to reduce complexity.
• Resource Prioritization: Balance BAU operational deliverables with high-intensity Transformation Tiger Team initiatives.
• Ecosystem Consolidation: Eliminate data duplication across the enterprise and shut down non-federated spaces.
• Cross-Platform Data Integration: Expand Google Cloud single source of truth by integrating legacy data assets into a unified framework.
• Unified Shared Sandbox: Create a single, authoritative shared data sandbox with automated quality controls.
• Table & Environment Reduction: Collapse 300K+ tables into an organized, discoverable framework.
• Enterprise Data Standards: Define standards and roadmaps for modern data infrastructure.
• Access & Capability Training: Train federated data engineers on standards and sandbox deployment.
• AI & Cloud Readiness: Optimize data ecosystem on Google Cloud to enable enterprise AI.
• State-of-the-Art Architecture: Build a modern data engineering ecosystem with automated quality controls and governance.
• Technology Infrastructure for Data: Implement core tech capabilities for resilient data pipelines across environments.
• Next-Gen Conversational Data Capabilities: Enable conversational AI and natural language data discovery.

Skills

Executive leadership

Data strategy

Cloud data migrations

Data governance

Stakeholder management

Vendor management

Business acumen

Education

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

MBA or Master's degree (advantage)

Tools

Google Cloud

Job description

Verizon is seeking a Senior Director of Data Strategy & Technology to lead the transition to a Governed Federated Model, establishing a single source of truth for strategic data. You will drive enterprise-wide data modernization, cloud readiness, and AI-enabled capabilities across global teams.

The role requires 10+ years of leadership in data strategy and 7+ years in senior roles, with a strong executive presence and collaboration across Verizon units.