Lead Data Architect

James Search Group; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

James Search Group is partnering with a leading global P&C insurer to recruit a Senior Director of Data Architecture. This role will define the enterprise data vision, build cloud-native platforms, and govern data across policy, claims, underwriting, and finance.

The candidate will lead a team of architects and modelers, collaborating with engineering, analytics, product, and business stakeholders to drive scalable, compliant data solutions in a global, regulated insurance environment.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in data architecture, data modeling, and enterprise data management.
• 5+ years in leadership roles, building and scaling data architecture teams.
• Deep experience within P&C insurance, including core data domains (policy, claims, underwriting, finance).
• Proven track record delivering large-scale data transformation and modernization initiatives.
• Expertise with modern data platforms and tools (Databricks, Snowflake, Spark, AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Strong experience with data modeling, governance, lineage, and metadata management.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the enterprise data architecture vision aligned to business and data strategy.
• Establish scalable, secure, and resilient architectures for data platforms, integration, and analytics.
• Develop and enforce standards, frameworks, and best practices for data modeling, governance, and architecture.
• Provide architectural oversight across major data initiatives, including platform modernization and digital transformation.
• Translate business and technical requirements into scalable data solutions.
• Guide engineering and delivery teams through the full lifecycle of data architecture and implementation.
• Develop current and future-state architecture roadmaps across key insurance data domains.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Data modeling

Cloud data architecture

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or related field

Tools

Databricks

Snowflake

Spark

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

Location: Hybrid – Atlanta, GA or New York, NY

Overview

A leading global property & casualty insurance organization is seeking a Senior Director, Data Architecture to lead the design and evolution of its enterprise data ecosystem. Reporting into senior data leadership, this role will define and execute a forward-looking data architecture strategy that enables scalable growth, advanced analytics, and regulatory compliance across a complex, global insurance environment.

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for building modern, cloud-based data architectures, establishing best practices, and ensuring consistent, high-quality data across core insurance domains including policy, claims, underwriting, and finance.

Key Responsibilities

Data Architecture Strategy & Governance

• Define and execute the enterprise data architecture vision aligned to business and data strategy
• Establish scalable, secure, and resilient architectures for data platforms, integration, and analytics
• Develop and enforce standards, frameworks, and best practices for data modeling, governance, and architecture
• Provide architectural oversight across major data initiatives, including platform modernization and digital transformation
• Translate business and technical requirements into scalable data solutions
• Guide engineering and delivery teams through the full lifecycle of data architecture and implementation
• Develop current and future-state architecture roadmaps across key insurance data domains

Insurance Data Domain Expertise

• Lead the design and standardization of data models across policy, claims, underwriting, and financial systems
• Integrate core insurance platforms with enterprise data environments and third-party data sources
• Support actuarial, underwriting, finance, and product teams with robust, scalable data solutions
• Drive adoption of modern data technologies including cloud-native platforms, lakehouse architectures, and real-time data processing
• Enable advanced analytics and machine learning through optimized data infrastructure
• Embed data governance, lineage, quality, and security practices across all solutions

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and lead a high-performing data architecture function, including architects, modelers, and technical leads
• Partner closely with engineering, analytics, product, and business stakeholders to deliver impactful data solutions
• Act as a senior advisor, promoting adoption of modern data practices and driving organizational change

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or related field
• 12+ years of experience in data architecture, data modeling, and enterprise data management
• 5+ years in leadership roles, building and scaling data architecture teams
• Deep experience within P&C insurance, including core data domains (policy, claims, underwriting, finance)
• Proven track record delivering large-scale data transformation and modernization initiatives
• Expertise with modern data platforms and tools (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake, Spark, AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Strong experience with data modeling (conceptual, logical, physical), governance, lineage, and metadata management
• Experience designing cloud-native, distributed, and real-time data architectures

Preferred

• Familiarity with insurance platforms such as Guidewire, Duck Creek, or Majesco
• Experience with medallion/lakehouse architecture and advanced analytics environments
• Cloud or data architecture certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Background working in global or highly regulated environments

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.