Resp & Qualifications

PURPOSE:
The Principal Data Architect will lead the design and implementation of enterprise data architecture across strategic initiatives. As a key leader in the organization, you will leverage your expertise in architecture, governance, integration, and analytics to enable data-driven decisions and regulatory compliance in a highly complex healthcare environment. This role requires strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and strategic thinking as it involves collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure the integrity, scalability, and performance of our data platforms and analytics ecosystems. You will be responsible for the development of data models, data integration strategies, and data governance policies to implement industry best practices and advance the organizations modernization journey consistent with the enterprise data strategy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Architecture and Design: Drive the enterprise data architecture strategy to build a versatile, scalable, and secure data platform in support of the organizations data needs. Establish data models and architecture using modernized data implementations of lakes, warehouses, and cloud-based systems. Develop strategies for storage, integration, and retrieval of structured and unstructured data. Develop and maintain architecture design documents, use-case driven designs, and future-state roadmaps. Consistently drive architecture reviews, identify gaps, and recommend design improvements.

Leadership and Innovation: Provide leadership and architectural oversight from intake to delivery with guidance on appropriate technologies and tools to enable strategic decision-making. Lead data platform modernization initiatives utilizing modern data technologies, including cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP), data fabric, real-time data streaming, and data virtualization. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to data engineers, data modelers, and analysts. Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies for cloud computing, analytics, and AI.

Data Governance and Security: Ensure data quality, consistency, and regulatory compliance through the implementation of robust data governance policies and standards, metadata management, and master data management. Collaborate with security and compliance teams to ensure data security, privacy, and regulatory requirements are met. Implement robust data security frameworks, including data encryption, data masking, and secure access controls.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with business and IT stakeholders to understand and translate requirements into scalable and efficient data solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify cost-reduction opportunities through optimization and reduction of technical debt. Facilitate communication between cross-functional teams and ensure application of data architecture solutions to empower business users to derive actionable insights.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Level: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field OR in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, an additional 4 years of relevant work experience is required in addition to the required work experience.

Experience: 10 years Experience in Architecture Domain.

Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Proven experience (8+ years) designing, developing, and managing complex, large-scale data architecture systems.
Expertise in data modeling (conceptual, logical, physical), metadata tools, and architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF) consisting of cloud-native data architecture, API-based data integration, ELT/ETL, batch and real-time data processing.
Experience in enterprise tools (DevSecOps, DataOps), agile methodologies, and product-driven approaches focused on rapid development. Experience in orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow), CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices a plus.
Experience in data engineering working in modern data platforms (e.g., Python, Spark, BigQuery), SQL/NoSQL databases, cloud databases (Snowflake preferred), and data streaming technologies (e.g., Kafka).
Strong knowledge of data architecture frameworks such as Data Fabric, Data Mesh, and Lambda Architecture.
Strong knowledge of data governance frameworks, data cataloging, and master data management.
Strong knowledge of security frameworks (authentication/tokenization, encryption, access controls) and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Strong knowledge in analytics and BI tools (e.g., PowerBI, MicroStrategy, Tableau).
Knowledge of healthcare data standards (e.g., HL7, FHIR, X12) and regulatory requirements (HIPAA, CMS, NCQA).
Knowledge of value-based care, population health, care management, quality reporting (HEDIS, STARS), risk adjustment, and regulatory compliance (HIPAA, CMS).
Knowledge of Salesforce and Data Cloud integration a plus.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to foster collaboration towards a data-driven culture across technical and business teams.

Licenses/Certifications:
Certified System Architect Upon Hire Preferred. Certifications in cloud (AWS/Azure/Snowflake) or data architecture (CDMP, TOGAF).

Salary Range: $152,080 - $271,843

Salary Range Disclaimer

The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the work is being performed. This compensation range is specific and considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilites of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, internal peer equity, and market and business consideration. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range, as compensation decisions depend on each case's facts and circumstances, including but not limited to experience, internal equity, and location. In addition to your compensation, CareFirst offers a comprehensive benefits package, various incentive programs/plans, and 401k contribution programs/plans (all benefits/incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).

Department

Data Architecture

Equal Employment Opportunity

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Where To Apply

Please visit our website to apply: www.carefirst.com/careers

Federal Disc/Physical Demand

Note: The incumbent is required to immediately disclose any debarment, exclusion, or other event that makes him/her ineligible to perform work directly or indirectly on Federal health care programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The associate is primarily seated while performing the duties of the position. Occasional walking or standing is required. The hands are regularly used to write, type, key and handle or feel small controls and objects. The associate must frequently talk and hear. Weights up to 25 pounds are occasionally lifted.

Sponsorship in US

Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Sponsorship.

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