Head of Data Architecture - Director

The Head of Data Architecture is a critical leadership role responsible for defining, implementing, and overseeing the data architectural strategy across the Enterprise Technology organization. This role involves driving strategic initiatives, ensuring the function's objectives align with broader business goals, and managing data architecture teams. Excellent communication skills required in order to negotiate internally, often at a senior level. Some external communication/negotiation may be necessary. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of industry trends, competitor offerings, and a strong conceptual and practical grounding in data architecture, coupled with exceptional leadership and communication skills. This role entails full management responsibility for teams, budgeting, planning, and strategy, significantly impacting the organization's strategic direction and operational excellence. May be involved or responsible for diverse (cross-discipline) activities. Typically, a direct report to a Managing Director role and function as an integral member of the functional leadership team within a country/site location, job family, or line of business.

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage data architecture teams, fostering a high-performance culture.

• Formulate and execute the data architecture functional strategy, determining the most effective implementation approaches.

• Oversee strategy and planning for the data architecture domain, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

• Provide significant contributions to the future strategic direction of data architecture within the business.

• Exercise full management responsibility for teams, encompassing performance evaluations, compensation, hiring, disciplinary actions, and budget approvals.

• Engage in and lead diverse, cross-disciplinary data initiatives, collaborating across various functions.

Technical Acumen and Innovation

• Structural: Operate effectively within a functional organization, valuing deep expertise and supporting a motivated, productive team. Promote transparency as a foundational element for trust.

• Behavioral: Provide supportive leadership, valuing all perspectives, and focusing on the 'how' before the 'what' in data architectural problem-solving. Amplify the contributions of team members and learn from both successes and failures, fostering continuous growth. Actively seek new challenges to push personal and team boundaries. Prioritize attracting, retaining, and enabling top data talent.

• Technical: Drive innovation at the business level through data architecture, leveraging technology to create strategic advantage. Emphasize robust infrastructure management and proactive maintenance to minimize surprises. Champion the maximized use of AI within data architecture to automate routine tasks and free up intellectual capacity for more complex work. Challenge conventional thinking and avoid merely digitizing existing processes; instead, rethink and redesign with AI capabilities. Promote and celebrate re-use of architectural components and patterns to enhance efficiency and consistency.

Ownership and Continuous Improvement (We Take Ownership)

• Challenge existing data architecture standards and methodologies, driving continuous improvement and innovation.

• Embrace change with optimism, curiosity, and resilience, adapting data strategies to evolving technological landscapes.

• Promote an environment of open communication and candor, welcoming constructive challenge from team members and stakeholders.

• Foster a culture of learning from experiences, adapting architectural practices, and enhancing overall data system robustness.

• Prioritize the collective good of the organization in all data architectural decisions, ensuring enterprise-wide benefits.

Delivery Excellence (We Deliver With Pride)

• Strive for unparalleled excellence in client data solutions, robust data controls, and operational efficiency within the data architecture domain.

• Simplify, standardize, and clarify complex data architectural designs and processes to enhance clarity and maintainability.

• Ensure the implementation of strong risk management practices and appropriate controls in all data architecture deliverables.

• Focus on identifying and rectifying root causes of data issues to build long-term value and stability in data platforms.

• Uphold the highest ethical standards and integrity in all architectural endeavors, ensuring compliance and trustworthiness.

Collaborative Success (We Succeed Together)

• Value and integrate diverse perspectives in data architecture design and implementation to consistently surpass stakeholder expectations.

• Actively break down organizational silos and foster collaboration to deliver cohesive data solutions across Citi.

• Measure the efficacy of data architecture initiatives through the lens of business and client stakeholders.

• Invest in the growth and development of data professionals from all backgrounds, promoting an inclusive environment.

• Demonstrate empathy for colleagues, clients, and communities, ensuring data solutions are designed with broader impact in mind.

• Performs other job duties and functions as assigned.

• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.

• 15+ years relevant experience.

• In-depth understanding of how data architecture contributes to achieving overall functional objectives.

• A strong understanding of the industry, direct competitors' data products, and services to contribute to commercial objectives.

• Thorough understanding of the strategic direction of the data architecture function within the relevant part of the business.

• Solid conceptual and practical grounding in data architecture principles, methodologies, and related subject areas.

• Excellent communication skills, with proven ability to negotiate internally at senior levels and engage externally when necessary.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead teams, including responsibilities for performance, budget, and planning.

• Self-starter with ability to take the initiative and master new tasks quickly.