IT Data Architect

Position Location: Needham, MA or Portsmouth, NH

Job Summary: The Data Architect will
design, govern, and lead the implementation of Needham Bank's enterprise data
architecture, including the bank's data model, cloud-based data platform, and
core-to-cloud data integration strategy. This role is responsible for ensuring
that data is trusted, well-modeled, well-governed, and usable across digital
banking, analytics, risk, regulatory reporting, and AI-enabled use cases, while
preserving the authoritative transactional system of record.

This is a strategic, hands-on role that blends architecture,
modeling, governance, delivery leadership, and enablement of secure, scalable
AI-ready data capabilities.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, the
individual must be able and willing to perform all essential duties satisfactorily.
This document is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all essential duties
required. Reasonable accommodation, as
determined by management on a case-by-case basis, may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Enterprise Data Architecture
& Modeling

*
Take
an "Art of the Possible" approach to champion and deliver a fully capable data
program

• Define and own the bank's data model.
• Create logical and physical data models aligned to
  industry standards.
• Establish clear boundaries between:
• System of Record, System of Engagement, and System of
  Insight

2) Data Platform Design

• Define data movement patterns from DNA and key SaaS
  systems into the enterprise platform.
• Ensure data designs support performance, security,
  auditability, and regulatory needs.

*
Architect the data foundation for AI and
generative AI use cases, including trusted access to structured and
unstructured data, metadata, and governed retrieval patterns.

3) Master Data & Identity
Strategy

• Define approach for Customer/Party master data,
  identity resolution, and cross-system mapping.
• Work closely with CRM, Core Banking, and fintech
  partners.
• Establish survivorship rules, golden record
  principles, and data reconciliation processes.

4) Data Governance &
Lineage

• Define data ownership
• Build business glossary
• Establish data quality standards
• Ensure regulatory traceability for key data used in
  financial and risk reporting.

*
Partner with Security, Risk, and Compliance to
establish controls for responsible AI data usage, lineage, retention, privacy,
and explainability.

5) Integration & Core
Strategy

• Define preferred patterns for integrating with bank
  core:
• CDC/event-first where possible, Batch extracts where
  required
• Reconciliation and exception handling
• Design mappings between core structures and the
  bank's data model.

*
Support AI and advanced analytics solutions by
defining reusable data services, semantic layers, and scalable patterns for
batch, real-time, and API-based consumption.

6) Collaboration & Delivery
Leadership

• Work closely with Data engineers, Application teams, Analytics
  team, Security & Risk, Compliance & Audit
• Translate high-level strategy into implementable
  roadmaps.
• Review designs, data models, and integration plans.
• Mentor junior data engineers and analysts.

*
Collaborate with analytics, application, and
emerging AI teams to evaluate new use cases, define architecture guardrails,
and accelerate adoption of AI capabilities aligned with bank priorities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

8+
years of experience in enterprise data architecture

• 5+
  years working with cloud data platforms (Azure strongly preferred)
• Deep
  experience in relational modeling (SQL Server / Azure SQL)
• Hands-on
  experience with: Azure SQL, Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL Server, Azure
  Data Factory
• Experience
  with core banking or financial services data
• Strong
  understanding of OLTP, Data lakes and Event-driven integration
  
  

  o Understanding
  of AI/ML and generative AI data requirements, including data quality, metadata,
  lineage, security, and monitoring considerations.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience with Fiserv DNA or another core banking system
• Exposure to FIBO / FIB-DM or BIAN frameworks
• Experience with Salesforce, Snowflake, API Management a plus.
• Prior role in a bank, fintech, or highly regulated environment
• Exposure to AI-ready data architectures,
  including support for model training, inference, retrieval, or responsible AI
  governance in regulated environments.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Normal business office environment
• Must be able to work flexible hours to address system upgrades or problem resolution
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Able to manage multiple projects and deliverables concurrently, keeping stakeholders and supervisors informed of progress
• Must be able to interact and communicate effectively across departments and executive management

PAY RANGE: $116,440.45 - $163,016.63

The pay range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the pay range for this job at the time of posting. Actual pay may vary based on experience, skills, and market factors; additional compensation may apply.

Needham Bank offers a competitive salary and an amazing benefit package for a full-time employee which includes fully paid medical and dental insurance, HRA, 401(k) plan with an 8% bank match, paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, a bonus program, flexible spending accounts, vision service plan, group term life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a great benefit package to our eligible part-time employees as well.

At NB, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace - if you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Needham Bank is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Needham Bank will provide all applicants for employment and all employees with equal opportunity for employment and promotion regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, military service, sexual orientation, genetic information, or gender identity.