Data and AI Architect Manager

The Data and AI Architect - Manager is a pivotal leadership role shaping and scaling enterprise data, analytics, and AI solutions that advance business strategy and deliver measurable results. As a trusted advisor and recognized subject matter expert, this leader helps clients modernize complex data estates and accelerate digital transformation across the Microsoft ecosystem, with a heavy focus on AI-native data platform solutions.

This leader drives end-to-end architecture and solution design-connecting business priorities, operating models, data and AI platforms, and application landscapes to create secure, scalable, and high-performing solutions tailored to each client environment. By turning complex challenges into clear, actionable data and AI architectures, this role establishes the technical foundation for sustained business value.

Come Join Us

The Data and AI Architect - Manager will lead the architecture and technical delivery of high-value data and AI solutions-turning bold designs into scalable, secure, and measurable client outcomes. This role provides hands-on technical oversight from architecture through implementation, drives critical decisions with delivery teams, and partners directly with senior client leaders to navigate complexity, accelerate execution, and ensure solutions deliver lasting business impact.

What you'll do

• Lead enterprise data, analytics and AI architecture, aligning technical decisions with client strategy, delivery priorities, and industry-leading practices.
• Turn complex business needs into clear, actionable platform architectures, modernization roadmaps, analytics capabilities, and AI-enabled solutions.
• Architect and oversee secure, scalable enterprise data platforms using Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Services, Databricks, Snowflake, SQL, Python, Foundry and modern cloud-native technologies.
• Lead client workshops, architecture reviews, and stakeholder forums that align technical direction, accelerate decisions, and remove delivery roadblocks.
• Create and champion reusable assets, accelerators, and delivery methods that improve quality, speed, and consistency across engagements.
• Set architecture governance, quality standards, and technical guardrails for complex data migration, analytics modernization, reporting, and AI programs.
• Shape delivery plans through pragmatic estimation, technical design, architecture governance, and clear implementation roadmaps.
• Partner with senior client leaders and account teams to connect data and AI investments to measurable business outcomes and long-term value.
• Provide hands-on technical oversight from architecture through implementation, validating critical design choices and ensuring solutions are built to perform at enterprise scale.
• Anticipate and resolve technical risks, dependencies, and delivery challenges before they affect scope, quality, or outcomes.
• Guide and mentor architects, engineers, and cross-functional delivery teams, raising technical standards and building confidence in execution.
• Coordinate with global teams and technology partners to bring the right expertise to each engagement, share knowledge, and scale proven Data & AI capabilities.
• Apply emerging advances in data engineering, generative AI, agentic AI, real-time intelligence, IoT, and cloud platforms to continuously elevate client solutions.

Priority Skill

• Enterprise Data Platform Architecture
• Deep expertise in the Microsoft Data & AI platform and ecosystem
• Expertise in Knowledge Engineering and building Knowledge Graphs
• Expertise in data modeling, semantic modeling and ontologies
• Technical skills: Microsoft Fabric, Databricks (Data Platform and Genie), Python, Neo4J, SQL, Power BI, Foundry, Copilot Studio

Job Requirements:

• Ability to work a flexible schedule as business needs require, with reasonable accommodation provided where required by applicable law.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as business needs require.

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Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in Data Engineering, Knowledge Engineering Data Architecture, Analytics, AI, or consulting roles, including 2+ years operating in a client-facing leadership capacity
• Minimum of 2+ years of experience leading enterprise-scale Data & AI platform modernization initiatives, including platform transformations, analytics modernization, or AI-enabled data platform programs
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading deals valued at $2M+ or equivalent enterprise-scale opportunities
• Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and implementing enterprise data platforms using Microsoft Azure Data Services, Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, or comparable technologies
• Minimum of 2+ years of experience architecting cloud-based data solutions, including data lakes, lakehouses, cloud analytics platforms, or modern data warehouse architectures
• At least 5+ years of experience utilizing Python and SQL for data engineering, analytics, integration, and platform development
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience delivering large-scale data migration, integration, governance, or modernization programs
• At least 2+ years of experience leading client workshops, executive stakeholder engagements, architecture reviews, and technical strategy discussions
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience working with DevOps, DataOps, MLOps, SDLC, and Agile delivery methodologies
• Minimum of 2+ years of experience applying Generative AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, or Agentic AI solutions within enterprise environments
• Education level: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field OR equivalent experience (Minimum 10 years of experience with no degree or 8 years with an Associate’s Degree)

About you

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure Data Engineer Professional, Fabric Analytics Engineer, AI Engineer, or equivalent certification
• Experience in management consulting and/or systems integration environments
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Machine Learning, or related quantitative discipline
• Strong experience with Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, Foundry, Copilot Studio, and Snowflake
• Experience designing and implementing Lakehouse, Data Mesh, Cloud Scale Analytics, Modern Data Warehouse, or Fabric-based architectures
• Ability to architect integrations between AI agents and enterprise applications, APIs, MCP servers, data platforms, Microsoft 365 services, and business processes.
• Knowledge of streaming analytics, real-time intelligence, IoT, Digital Twins, and event-driven architectures
• Experience developing enterprise data and AI governance, data quality, metadata management, master data management strategies, and responsible AI
• Ability to articulate Data & AI use cases across multiple industries including Manufacturing, Health & Life Sciences, Retail, Financial Services, and Resources
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior technology and business leaders
• Experience presenting architectural designs and investment strategies to senior client stakeholders

Professional Skills

• Strong delivery acumen with the ability to translate complex requirements into clear priorities, decisive action, and measurable client outcomes
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through complex delivery challenges while maintaining momentum, quality, and accountability
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted advisor relationships with senior client stakeholders
• Ability to drive consensus and architectural decision-making across business and technology stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically, balancing executive vision with hands-on technical leadership
• Highly organized with strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities
• Commitment to innovation, continuous learning, and delivering high-quality client outcomes
• Passion for emerging Data & AI technologies and helping clients realize measurable business value through modern data platforms and AI-driven transformation

Compensation at Avanade varies depending on a wide array of factors, which may include but are not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. As required by local law, Avanade provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired as set forth below.

We anticipate this job posting will be posted on 10/21/2026 and open for at least 30 days.

Avanade offers a market competitive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability coverage, a 401(k) plan, bonus opportunities, paid holidays, and paid time off.

See more information on our benefits here: Benefits and Total Rewards | Avanade United States

California - $149,600 - $189,212

Cleveland - $138,500 - $164,500

Colorado - $149,600 - $177,700

District of Columbia - $159,337 - $189,212

Illinois - $149,600 - $177,700

Maine - $138,500 - $164,500

Maryland - $149,600 - $189,212

Massachusetts - $149,600 - $189,212

Minnesota -$138,500 - $164,500

New York / New Jersey - $159,337 - $202,375

Virginia - $138,500 - $164,500

Washington - $149,600 - $189,212

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