Principal Data & Analytics Lead

MetLife; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan

401(k) with employer matching

Life insurance

Parental leave

Short- and long-term disability

Job summary

MetLife in the United States seeks a Data & Analytics Lead to guide strategy, architecture, and delivery of enterprise data solutions that drive growth and informed decisions. You’ll lead modernization, governance, and AI/ML enablement across cloud and on-prem environments.

You will mentor teams, partner with executives to define roadmaps, and ensure data reliability, security, and value delivery through scalable data platforms and analytics capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Data Science or related field.
• 8+ years in Data & Analytics with leadership of large-scale enterprise data initiatives.
• Experience delivering cloud-based Data & Analytics solutions using Databricks and Azure.
• Proven track record defining enterprise data strategies, roadmaps, operating models, and modernization programs.
• Expertise in data engineering, data integration, warehousing, governance, metadata management, data quality, lineage.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and communicating with senior leadership.
• Strong SQL, Python, Spark; familiarity with modern data platforms.
• Experience leading Agile delivery and large programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, architecture, and delivery of enterprise Data & Analytics solutions.
• Design and implement scalable data platforms and analytics across cloud and on-premises environments.
• Partner with executives to define roadmaps, prioritize investments, and deliver data capabilities.
• Provide oversight for governance, quality, lineage, security, and compliance across programs.
• Establish best practices, operating models, delivery frameworks, and standards for scalability.
• Lead cross-functional teams and vendor partners to ensure successful initiatives.
• Champion data modernization, AI/ML enablement, and emerging technologies.
• Mentor and develop high-performing Data & Analytics teams.
• Communicate with executives through strategic roadmaps and business cases.

Skills

SQL

Python

Apache Spark

Data Modeling

Data Warehousing

Cloud Platforms

Leadership

Effective Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Databricks

Azure Data Platform

Job description

At MetLife, data isn’t just a tool – it is a catalyst for growth. As part of our Data & Analytics organization, you’ll unlock trusted insights that drive bold decisions, power personalized customer experiences, and deliver lasting business impact. We’re building the future of data – one that’s governed responsibly, engineered for scalability, and designed for growth. When you join us, you’re not just supporting the business – you’re empowering it. Let’s transform insight into impact and data into action, together.

The Opportunity

The Data & Analytics Lead is responsible for leading the strategy, architecture, and delivery of enterprise Data & Analytics solutions that enable business growth, operational excellence, and data-driven decision making across MetLife. This role provides an opportunity to lead large-scale data modernization and transformation initiatives, driving the adoption of cloud-based platforms, data governance standards, and advanced analytics capabilities. Data and Analytics Lead will combine deep engineering expertise with data governance, architecture, and strategy skills, driving data roadmaps and mentoring Data & Analytics talent as part of a collaborative, cross-functional team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the vision, strategy, and execution of enterprise Data & Analytics initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives, technology strategy, and enterprise architecture standards.
• Drive the design and implementation of scalable data platforms, data products, and analytics solutions across cloud and on-premises environments, leveraging Databricks, Azure, and modern data architectures.
• Partner with senior business and technology leaders to identify opportunities, define roadmaps, prioritize investments, and deliver data capabilities that support growth, operational efficiency, risk management, and customer insights.
• Provide oversight for solution architecture, data engineering, data integration, governance, quality, lineage, security, and compliance across multiple programs and domains.
• Establish and institutionalize Data & Analytics best practices, operating models, delivery frameworks, and standards that improve scalability, consistency, and time-to-value.
• Lead complex cross-functional teams and vendor partners, ensuring successful planning, estimation, execution, risk management, and delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Champion data modernization, automation, AI/ML enablement, and emerging technologies to drive innovation and maximize business value from enterprise data assets.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing Data & Analytics teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, accountability, and technical excellence.
• Communicate effectively with executive stakeholders through strategic storytelling, business cases, roadmaps, investment proposals, and executive-level reporting.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in Data & Analytics, Data Engineering, Data Architecture, Data Management, or related disciplines, including leadership of large-scale enterprise data initiatives.
• Extensive experience delivering cloud-based Data & Analytics solutions leveraging Databricks, Azure Data Platform technologies, and/or modern data architecture patterns.
• Proven track record of defining and executing enterprise data strategies, roadmaps, operating models, and modernization programs that drive measurable business outcomes.
• Strong expertise in data engineering, data integration, data warehousing, data lakes, data governance, metadata management, data quality, lineage, and master/reference data management.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple cross-functional teams, managing stakeholders across business and technology organizations, and influencing strategic decisions at senior leadership levels.
• Strong knowledge of SQL, Python, Spark, distributed data processing, and modern data platform technologies.
• Exceptional communication, executive presentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value.
• Experience leading Agile delivery teams and managing large-scale programs with multiple workstreams, priorities, and dependencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing enterprise data governance and quality frameworks, including metadata management, lineage, and data stewardship capabilities.
• Experience enabling AI/ML, Generative AI, and advanced analytics solutions through scalable and trusted data foundations.
• Deep knowledge of insurance, financial services, employee benefits, or related industries.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide data transformation, modernization, or digital transformation initiatives.

The expected salary range for this position is $140,000 - $210,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation and stock-based long-term incentives. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

Benefits We Offer

Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more! For more information regarding MetLife’s U.S. benefits, please click here.

About MetLife

Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World’s 25 Best Workplaces™, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

As part of our New Frontier strategy, MetLife is building an AI-enabled, people-centered future. We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset as we use AI to enhance how we serve customers, support communities, and evolve the way work gets done. At MetLife, AI is a responsible partner that supports human judgment, creativity, and continuous improvement while helping us build trust, inclusion, and long-term value.

Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we’re inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it’s #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!

MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law (“protected characteristics”).

If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.

MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liabilities.

This posting is for a current vacancy and is anticipated to remain open for at least 3 days from the listed posting date.