Manager, Data Strategy

Lightspeed is seeking a strategic, technically proficient, and people-centered Manager, Data Strategy to lead a high-performing team of Data Strategy Specialists. In this role, you will be responsible for guiding the team’s efforts in identifying, executing on, and scaling high-impact data initiatives across the business. You will combine deep analytics expertise with strong leadership skills to foster a culture of innovation, rigor, and business partnership within the Data Office.

As Manager, Data Strategy, you will play a key role in shaping the roadmap for the Data Strategy team and informing the strategic direction of the Data Office, aligning closely with senior leadership to ensure that the team’s work drives measurable value across Lightspeed.

Role:

As the Manager of the Data Strategy team, you will lead a group of Specialists responsible for full-stack data projects—from discovery and prototyping to implementation and measurement.

• Lead the day-to-day operations, performance management, and career growth of the Data Strategy team.
• Set a strategic direction for the team, ensuring alignment with broader company and Data Office goals.
• Prioritize the team’s workload and project pipeline, balancing quick wins with long-term initiatives.
• Mentor and support team members in developing technical skills, business acumen, and creative problem-solving approaches.
• Support team members on the design and execution of data-driven proof-of-concept projects to evaluate feasibility and business impact.
• Ensure smooth collaboration and alignment across all teams within the Data Office, working proactively to remove friction, clarify responsibilities, and support shared goals.
• Ensure that successful prototypes are transitioned into scalable solutions in collaboration with engineering, architecture, solutions, and business teams.
• Establish best practices for project scoping, analytics methodologies, stakeholder communication, and measurement.
• Promote a culture of intellectual curiosity, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Serve as a key liaison between the Data Office and business leaders to surface opportunities and ensure relevance and adoption of data solutions.
• Champion the adoption of modern data tools, processes, and strategies to improve the organization’s data maturity.
• Model and foster professional empathy—the ability to understand and respect diverse perspectives, communicate with clarity and care, and build trust across technical and non-technical teams.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
• Experience: 6–8 years in data-focused roles, including at least 3+ years of people management or team leadership experience

Skills:

• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing data teams.
• Strong track record of delivering end-to-end, full stack data solutions that lead to meaningful business outcomes.
• Deep experience in analytics, data science, or data strategy, with technical fluency across tools and methodologies.
• Strong understanding of data modelling best practices, ETL processes, and modern data pipeline development.
• Demonstrated ability to explore and evaluate emerging tools, frameworks, or platforms that can enhance the company’s data strategy and scalability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to connect business objectives to data solutions - translating needs into prototypes and prototypes into impact.
• Strategic mindset with a high degree of intellectual curiosity and creative approach to surfacing underexplored opportunities.
• Experience with roadmap planning and prioritization, including identifying the highest-value initiatives to support company goals.
• Demonstrated professional empathy, with the ability to foster inclusive collaboration, adapt communication styles, and support team well-being while maintaining accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with engineering, product, and data teams to align on shared goals and deliver impactful, end-to-end solutions.
• Strong proficiency in SQL and at least one analytics programming language (e.g., Python or R).
• Familiarity with modern data platforms, cloud environments (e.g., Google Cloud, AWS, Azure), and visualization tools (e.g., Looker, Tableau, Power BI).

What’s in it for you

• Join a growing team and help us move to the next level
• Amazing benefits & perks, including equity for all Lightspeeders
• Constant development of both your skill-set and business acumen with limitless growth opportunities
• Lots of autonomy, flexible work culture
• Innovation time to explore and learn at work
• Shaping the company by joining cultural & technical committees
• Tons of growth opportunities into technical or people management roles
• Opportunity to join a fast-paced, high-growth company
• Opportunity to learn, expand your skill set, forge wonderful relationships and make your mark within the diverse and inclusive Lightspeed family, a true Canadian tech success story

….  And enjoy a range of benefits that will keep you happy, healthy and (not) hungry.

• Lightspeed equity scheme (we are all owners).
• Flexible paid time off and remote work policies.
• Health insurance.
• Contributions to your pension plan - RRSP.
• Health and wellness benefit of $500 per year.
• Paid leave and assistance for new parents.
• Mental health online platform and counseling & coaching services.
• Training opportunities to grow your skills and career
• Volunteer day.
• Fully stacked kitchen (hot and cold beverages, meals served) 
• Happy hours to build your relationships with colleagues after work 

To all recruitment agencies: Lightspeed does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. If we have not directly engaged your company in writing to supply candidates for a specific vacancy, Lightspeed will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Lightspeed is a proud equal opportunity employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive and barrier-free workplace. Lightspeed welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Where to from here?
Obviously, this has to be mutually beneficial: we want you to step into a role you love, and we want to offer you a place you’re proud to come to every day. For a glimpse into our world check out our career page here.

Lightspeed is building communities through commerce, and we need people from all backgrounds and lived experiences to do that. We were founded in 2005, in Montreal’s gay village and our original members were all part of the LGBTQ+ community. The ethos of our business has been about inclusion from the very beginning, and we strive to provide a workplace where everyone belongs.

Who we are:
Powering the businesses that are the backbone of the global economy, Lightspeed's one-stop commerce platform helps merchants innovate to simplify, scale, and provide exceptional customer experiences. Our cloud commerce solution transforms and unifies online and physical operations, multichannel sales, expansion to new locations, global payments, financial solutions, and connection to supplier networks.