Vice President, Information Technology - Data Integrations and Enterprise Architecture

Title: Vice President, Information Technology - Data Integrations and Enterprise Architecture

Location: Chicago, IL; Des Moines, IA; Fargo, ND; Sioux Falls, SD or Remote

Job Summary:

As the VP for Data Integrations and Analytics, you will be responsible for all technology aspects of data integration, data engineering, and analytics initiatives within our organization. Your expertise and guidance will be instrumental in defining and executing our technology strategy for data infrastructure, enabling data-driven decision-making, and ensuring seamless integration of data from various sources. You will be responsible for managing a team of data engineers and analysts, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, and driving the implementation of data integration and analytics initiatives to meet business objectives. You will partner closely with the Chief Digital and Data Officer driving strategy forward for both data analytics as well as our data engineering and integration strategies.

As the VP for Architecture, you will have oversight over the Architecture function lead by the Chief Architect, AVP of Architecture. The Chief Architect provides direct and matrixed oversight over architects who work closely with our business units to implement their business strategies. In addition, the Chief Architect provides technology thought leadership on foundational elements critical to IT operations and advances the maturity of the architecture function across IT.

Responsibilities:

• Strategy and Vision:
  • Partner with the Chief Digital and Data Officer to develop and execute a comprehensive data integration and analytics strategy aligned with the organization's business goals and objectives.
  • Identify opportunities to leverage data for enhancing operational efficiency, business insights, and customer experiences.
• Data Integration and Engineering:
  • Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of data pipelines and ETL processes to ensure the timely and accurate flow of data across systems.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand data requirements and design solutions for data acquisition, transformation, and loading.
  • Evaluate and select appropriate tools, technologies, and frameworks for data integration and engineering.
  • Define and implement data quality standards and best practices for data management.
• Data Analytics and Insights:
  • Lead the creation and management of data warehouses, data marts, and analytical databases to support business intelligence and reporting needs.
  • Provide technology solutions for data visualization, dashboards, and analytical reports for data-driven decision-making.
• Data Security and Compliance:
  • Implement data security measures and access controls to protect sensitive information.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant data privacy regulations and industry standards.

Unique Role Requirements:

• Strong knowledge of data integration tools, ETL frameworks, data warehousing, and data modeling concepts.
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, SQL) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Familiarity with cloud-based solutions (e.g., AWS, Azure, Snowflake, Salesforce, MS Azure) and big data technologies.
• Experience with data eventing and streaming solutions (e.g., MuleSoft Anypoint, Confluent Kafka, Azure MQ)
• Experience with API platforms and API management (e.g., Azure API Management)
• Optimal candidate has experience with Data Mesh-type implementations
• Experience as an Architect and leading domain and solution architects

Essential Functions:

• Collaborate with the CIO to provide vision and leadership for planning, developing and implementing information technology initiatives across all areas of the organization.
• Partner with senior business decision makers to prioritize and fund initiatives and ensure scoping and design of technology solutions is in alignment with needs.
• Collaborate directly with the IT leadership team to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective technology solutions to business problems.
• Exercise leadership influence and direction with her/his organization to develop, optimize and manage application and/or infrastructure portfolios to attain all IT service level agreements for the user community within the organization.
• Ensure continued focus building a strong IT capability through people, process and technology.
• Maintain future state technology roadmap definitions to ensure effective investments are made to enable scale, quality, and maintenance and overall cost effectiveness.
• Develop and manage vendor relationships, while ensuring effective integration, as needed, into overall IT capability.
• Contribute to and directly lead aspects of the overall technology transformation through committed quality delivery, continuous improvement, innovation enablement and strong leadership coaching and example setting.
• Drive and reinforce commitment to internal controls processes such as those under Model Audit Rule and Record Information Management.
• Lead by example, coaching, mentoring and infusing the technology team with the right leadership thinking and motivation to help them develop and grow to ensure overall organizational success.
• As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands.
• Participate in other initiatives and/or projects as necessary.
• Budget and manage financial plans, while maintaining an awareness of industry benchmarks to serve as a basis of comparison.
• Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Openness)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in the field of Computer Science, Information Systems, or Business Administration preferred
• Master's Degree Computer Science, Information Systems, or Business Administration with technology as a core component preferred
• Minimum 15 years' Applicable experience
• Demonstrated consistent leadership effectiveness in technology and business related strategic planning, operations, implementation delivery and overall IT capability (people, process, technology) development
• Considerable working knowledge of business theory, business processes, management, budgeting, and business office operations and end to end integration models; Must be able to effectively apply industry recognized best practices
• Demonstrated exposure to systems management, hardware platforms, enterprise software applications, and outsourced systems, vendor management, including management of offshore/near shore resources with keen awareness of technology and related business trends; Proven experience and ability in managing systems complexity with positive outcomes
• Demonstrated, proven understanding and track record of high quality program/project management and execution
• Keen working knowledge of applicable industry laws and regulations as they relate to IT
• Strong, established leadership track record of human capital management principles, practices, and procedures
• Demonstrated strong negotiating and influence leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to present and adapt ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language
• Criminal background check required.
• $194,161 - $360,585 - Range includes data points from multiple labor markets. The specific range is dependent on the labor market where the incumbent will be hired to perform the position. Starting salary is dependent on candidate qualifications and experience. For a narrower salary range specific to your labor market, please inquire.
• Sammons Financial Group offers incentive programs for defined goals subject to eligibility and performance. Monetary rewards are based on individual and/or overall company performance.
• Our competitive benefit package includes: Health, Dental, Vision, Company Paid Retirement, PTO and Holiday Pay.
• Due to the financial nature and level of accountability of this position, a credit and criminal background check is required - The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires Sammons Financial Group Companies to notify you that, as a routine part of processing this application for employment, Sammons Financial Group may request a consumer report on you to verify all information contained in this application. Such report may include information about work-related behaviors, performance, character, general reputation, and personal characteristics, in addition to information about your previous employment, education, credit history and criminal records.