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Principal Data Modernization Architect

Chicago, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis, New York

Spaulding Ridge is an advisory and IT implementation firm. We help global organizations get financial clarity into the complex, daily sales, and operational decisions that impact profitable revenue generations, efficient operational performance, and reliable financial management.

At Spaulding Ridge, we believe all business is personal. Core to our values is our relationships with our clients, our business partners, our team, and the global community. Our employees dedicate their time to helping our clients transform their business, from strategy through implementation and business transformation. 

We are looking for a Principal Data Modernization Architect to join our Salesforce Delivery team in North America.

This is a strategic leadership role responsible for helping clients transition from legacy data environments to modern, scalable, and AI-ready architectures. This individual will define modernization strategies, architect multi-cloud data ecosystems, and lead cross-functional initiatives that deliver long-term enterprise value. The ideal candidate blends technical depth, enterprise architecture expertise, and business acumen, serving as both a trusted advisor and a hands-on strategic architect.

Responsibilities:

1. Modernization Strategy & Vision

  • Define and evolve the firm’s data modernization blueprint across industries and clients
  • Champion modular, cloud-native, and interoperable architectures (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, Salesforce, Azure/GCP)
  • Promote data-as-a-product, self-service analytics, and embedded governance

2. Enterprise Architecture Leadership

  • Design and lead end-to-end architectures: ingestion, transformation, storage, activation, and AI/ML enablement
  • Standardize reusable reference architectures across verticals
  • Enable Zero-ETL patterns, semantic layers, and composable services

3. Client Advisory & Executive Engagement

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to CDOs, CIOs, and business executives
  • Translate technical strategy into high-impact executive narratives and business cases
  • Lead modernization assessments, roadmaps, and transformation journeys

4. Cross-Functional Enablement

  • Guide technical and consulting teams on implementation strategy
  • Upskill delivery teams on modern data tools, frameworks, and patterns
  • Advise on platform selection, migration strategy, and AI-readiness frameworks

5. Thought Leadership & IP Development

  • Develop and publish POVs on modernization trends (e.g., agentic AI, data contracts, unified governance)
  • Create reusable frameworks, solution kits, and accelerators
  • Represent the firm in executive briefings, panels, and industry conferences

Qualifications: 

  • 10+ years in data architecture, analytics, or enterprise consulting
  • Deep knowledge of modern data stacks (e.g., Snowflake, dbt, Fivetran, Tableau, Databricks)
  • Strong understanding of data mesh/fabric, cloud-native platforms, and interoperability models
  • Experience working with Salesforce ecosystem a must (Data Cloud, CRM Analytics, MuleSoft)
  • Proven ability to engage executive stakeholders and translate strategy into delivery
  • Hands-on experience with AI/ML readiness, data product frameworks, and platform governance

Business Impact

  • This role drives enterprise transformation by enabling clients to unlock real-time insights, streamline operations, and build AI-ready data foundations. Internally, the Principal Data Modernization Architect helps scale repeatable offerings, elevate consulting talent, and position the firm at the forefront of the data and AI market.

Spaulding Ridge’s Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace 

When we engage the expertise, insights, and creativity of people from all walks of life, we become a better organization, we deliver superior services to clients, and we transform our communities and world for the better.

At Spaulding Ridge, we believe our team should reflect the rich diversity of society and we take seriously the responsibility to cultivate a workplace where every bandmate feels accepted, respected, and valued for who they are. We do this by creating a culture of trust and belonging, through practices and policies that support inclusion, and through our employee led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): CRE (Cultural Race and Ethnicity), Women Elevate, PROUD and Mental Wellness Alliance.

The company is committed to offering Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with Spaulding Ridge and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to our VP of Human Resources, Cara Halladay (challaday@spauldingridge.com). Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability.

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