Senior Data Architect – DAS

GroupM is the largest media investment company in the world – purchasing more than $104BN in billings (RECMA 2013). GroupM and its agencies employ over seventeen thousand people in four hundred offices spanning eighty-one countries.

GroupM Data & Analytics is a marketing science, technology and consulting group specializing in fact-based business strategies and assessment. Our global team provides expertise in data management, advanced analytics, technology deployment and marketing effectiveness with one clear remit: help clients achieve significant and lasting improvements in marketing effectiveness and profitability. Utilizing a proprietary Data and Analytics Platform, we enable clients’ marketing organizations to monitor, evaluate and optimize media investments.

The data and analytics organization in GroupM is responsible for managing and analyzing massive amounts of data as well as supporting the whole organization in delivering value from data. We focus on designing, developing and operating our global technology stack with four key layers of Data Marketplace, Data Management, Analytics Workbench and Application Marketplace. These products are hosted on a variety of infrastructure options including but not limited to local servers, public and private clouds and enable a suit of advanced analytics-based products, specific Data collection modules and customized Data transformation packages

Position Overview

The Senior Data Architect is responsible for the support and implementation of database applications during the design, build and maintenance phases of large projects. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the following skills/experience: hands-on skills in managing large data sets, familiarity with big-data concepts, cloud computing, open-source tools, and optimization techniques, excellent oral and written communication skills, client focus and the ability to support and enable teamwork, self-motivated and able to operate independently with limited guidance and direction.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy database applications
• Document data architecture requirements
• Define QA guidelines
• Manage the retrieving, compiling, and formatting of large volumes of data
• Utilize syndicated research tools to retrieve various types of data (macroeconomic, marketing, business, etc.)
• Track project timelines and deliverable schedules and share concerns and issues with project managers and directors
• Build applications writing SQL and/or SAS scripts to manage data and / or writing specific build instructions for an off-shore programmer to write the scripts
• Manage communications between onshore and offshore implementation team during build. Write and manage tasks to be completed offshore.
• Ensure applications are properly maintained by working with off-shore maintenance teams to ensure all cycles are properly completed, with strong emphasis on Quality Assurance of data and settings
• Initiate SQL optimizer to improve database performance
• Work with cross functional team including media strategists, IT specialists and platform developers
• Translate business needs into technical requirements including data structuring, data modeling and data visualization
• Attend key design meetings and provide support
• Assist implementation lead in resolving database architecture questions

Requirements

• BS in Computer Science, Mathematics, Business, Statistics or related technical field required. An MS is preferred.
• 3-5 years related work experience in the field of data management, marketing analytics, and technology
• Good communication and written skills
• Experience with the full development life cycle of an application stack – from architecture through test and deployment.
• Strong skills in SQL and proven experience working with at least one of the major databases platforms (SQLServer, Oracle, DB2, MySQL, Sybase, or Postgres)
• Strong analytical skills; ability to analyze raw data, draw conclusions, and develop actionable recommendations
• Organized, detail-oriented, QA-focused
• Process-driven project management is a plus
• Prior knowledge of advertising ecosystem, understanding of marketing metrics, and analytical products offered as a service is preferred
• Experience with key reporting solutions including Tableau, Omniscope and MicroStrategy will be highly valued
• Proficient in system architectures (translating application design to operational requirements)
• Familiarity with big-data concepts, cloud computing, open-source tools, and optimization techniques is preferred
• Experience in web analytics tools (Omniture, Google Analytics, DFA) is a plus