Principal Data Architect

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WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH:

You will join the Architect experts within the Enterprise Technology team, part of Bain’s digital capabilities practice. In this multidisciplinary group, you’ll help clients modernize their tech strategy, architecture, and systems -- aligning technology with business goals to drive efficiency, agility, and innovation. You’ll develop enterprise-wide solutions, optimize cloud and data architectures, and integrate AI to enable scalable end-to-end digital transformations. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO (Essential Functions):

Shape Architecture and Technology Strategy 

• Lead the definition of enterprise data architecture strategies, target states, and roadmaps aligned with client business priorities and transformation outcomes. 
• Architect scalable, resilient, and secure enterprise data platforms and solutions across cloud, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. 
• Define organizational strategies and operating models for a modern Data Office, including governance, ownership, platform, and delivery capabilities. 
• Develop as-is and to-be architectures, reference models, migration options, and transition roadmaps for complex data transformations. 
• Define enterprise integration and data-sharing standards across APIs, event streaming, data pipelines, and microservices-aligned architectures. 
• Shape the data foundations required for analytics and AI, including data engineering, feature engineering, model data pipelines, and MLOps enablement. 
• Assess, select, and integrate modern data platforms, vendor solutions, and hyperscaler services, including Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, AWS, Azure, and GCP. 
• Translate complex business and technical requirements into clear architecture decisions, investment priorities, and executable plans.

Advise and Influence Senior Leaders 

• Serve as a trusted advisor to CISOs, CIOs, CTOs, Chief Architects, and senior executives on cyber security strategy, architecture decisions, and technology trade-offs. 
• Establish executive-level credibility and communicate effectively with senior business and technology stakeholders as part of client project leadership teams. 
• Act as an independent design authority by reviewing and validating data architecture proposals, evaluating options, and providing delivery assurance. 
• Influence, coach, and mentor client data and technology leaders and Bain teams to build sustainable architecture and Data Office capabilities.

Enable Transformation at Scale

• Lead high-impact data architecture workstreams within large-scale, multi-year transformation programs. 
• Set direction and lead internal and external teams across complex, multi-million-dollar client engagements. 
• Guide Bain consulting and client teams in executing architecture roadmaps, managing dependencies and risks, and embedding effective governance. 
• Ensure architectures evolve through agile and MVP delivery while maintaining security, resilience, interoperability, scalability, and coherence. 
• Partner with Bain consulting teams to integrate data architecture into broader business, technology, cloud, and AI transformations. 
• Lead and mentor teams of architects and consultants to deliver secure, scalable, and high-performing enterprise data platforms aligned with client outcomes. 
• Collaborate with leaders across Vector guilds to bring the optimal combination of expertise to clients. 
• Support recruiting, onboarding, and people development, and help create an environment that attracts and develops great architects. 

Advance Bain’s Reputation and Growth 

• Define and create demand by co-creating differentiated points of view and go-to-market offerings in enterprise data architecture, data modernization, Master Data Management, Data Office design, and AI-enabled transformation. 
• Support proposals, pursuits, and account expansion by bringing data architecture expertise into client discussions and solution shaping. 
• Maintain market and vendor awareness, collaborate with ecosystem partners, and continuously evolve Bain's enterprise data architecture point of view. 
• Contribute actively to client cases, intellectual property, publications, and architecture community engagement. 
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, sponsors, and architecture communities.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING (Qualifications):

• 10+ years of experience in data architecture and technology leadership, including large-scale transformation programs. 
• Deep enterprise data architecture expertise across multiple industries, such as financial services, consumer, and technology. 
• Demonstrated track record shaping enterprise data strategies, target architectures, platform roadmaps, and operating models. 
• End-to-end lifecycle experience leading large, complex, multi-year data transformation programs from strategy and architecture through implementation and migration. 
• Deep understanding of how data enables AI, with delivery experience across data engineering, feature engineering, model data pipelines, and MLOps enablement. 
• Hands-on architecture and delivery experience with modern data stacks and cloud data services, including Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, and AWS, Azure, or GCP. 
• Strong knowledge of data governance, metadata, data quality, Master Data Management, data integration, security, privacy, and responsible data use. 
• Strong client leadership and business development experience, including pre-sales, go-to-market efforts, proposal shaping, and account expansion. 
• Proven thought leadership in contemporary topics such as Master Data Management, data modernization, Data Office design, data products, and AI adoption. 
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to explain complex solutions, algorithms, and trade-offs to business and technology audiences. 
• High emotional intelligence and proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire diverse, cross-functional, and multi-office teams. 
• Curiosity, proactivity, critical thinking, and the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

U.S. Compensation Information 

Compensation for this role includes base salary, annual discretionary performance bonus, 401(k) plan with an annual employer contribution based on years of service and Bain’s best in class benefits package (details listed below).

Some local governments in the United States require a good-faith, reasonable salary range be included in job postings for open roles. The estimated annualized compensation for this role is as follows:

In the states of Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Texas, the good-faith, reasonable annualized full-time salary range for this role is between $168,500 - $206,000. In New York City, the good-faith, reasonable annualized full-time salary range for this role is between $191,000 - $234,500. Placement within these ranges will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to experience, education, licensure/certifications, training and skill level 

For all other locations, the good-faith, reasonable annualized full-time salary range for this role is commensurate with competitive geographic market rates for this role and will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to experience, education, licensure/certifications, training and skill level.  

• Annual discretionary performance bonus  
• This role may also be eligible for other elements of discretionary compensation 
• 4.5% 401(k) company contribution, which increases after 3 years of service and is 100% vested upon start date 
• Bain & Company's comprehensive benefits and wellness program is designed to help employees achieve personal independence, protection and stability in the areas most important to you and your family. 
• Bain pays 100% individual employee premiums for medical, dental and vision programs, offering one of the most comprehensive medical plans for employees without impacting your paycheck 
• Generous paid time off, including parental leave, sick leave and paid holidays 
• Fully vested 401(k) company contribution 
• Paid Life and Long-Term Disability insurance 

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 liability