Senior Data Operations Architect

Advanced Systems Group (ASG) is seeking a Senior Data Operations Architect to support a major global live-streaming and commerce platform through an embedded engagement. In this role, you will operate as a senior individual contributor within the client's live production and business operations environment, helping transform fragmented workflows and operational data into reliable, scalable systems that drive visibility, accountability, and decision-making. This position sits at the intersection of production operations, business systems, and data engineering, supporting fast-moving creative and technical teams responsible for high-volume live and live-to-tape programming. The ideal candidate is a builder, not just a user. This is a net-new role focused on architecting a unified system from scratch to connect fragmented data sources (Airtable, Quip, Excel) into a high-level executive dashboard. This role is based in Los Angeles, California (100% onsite). Requires occasional travel (2-3 times per year), primarily during the initial onboarding phase to interview stakeholders and conduct system discovery. This role is embedded within a high-growth live-streaming and commerce environment, supporting teams that operate at the intersection of creative production, monetization, marketing, and real-time audience engagement. The environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, requiring strong communication skills, comfort working across disciplines, and the ability to bring structure to evolving workflows. Responsibilities: Technical Leadership & Architecture - Lead the architectural design and structural building of new database systems. This role requires moving beyond using existing tools to creating the foundational framework that connects disparate systems. - Develop governed, extensible data models that normalize metadata across multiple internal tools and platforms. - Define and maintain standards for schemas, data contracts, lineage, and documentation. - Ensure data reliability, consistency, and long-term maintainability. Workflow Intelligence & Automation - Translate complex, manual, and human-driven workflows into structured, repeatable, and observable systems. - Design SQL- and logic-based transformations that connect data across low-code tools, internal systems, and data lake environments. - Build mechanisms to monitor workflow health, detect anomalies, and surface operational risks. - Support automation initiatives that reduce manual reconciliation and reporting overhead. - Dashboarding & Visualization: Design, develop, and maintain automated Tableau or QuickSight dashboards that provide real-time visibility into KPI health for creative and business stakeholders. Cross-Functional Partnership - Partner closely with studio operations, production, post, finance, and business stakeholders. - Lead discovery sessions to understand operational pain points and identify scalable solutions. - Act as a trusted technical advisor, translating business needs into durable data systems. - Collaborate with analytics and reporting teams to enable meaningful downstream insights. Senior-Level Ownership & Influence - Consultative Ownership: Proactively challenge business requirements and suggest superior approaches. Act as a technical partner who pushes back to ensure the most efficient architectural outcome, rather than just executing instructions. - Operate independently on complex problem spaces with minimal direction. - Drive long-term roadmap planning for operational data systems. - Identify opportunities to simplify tooling, reduce operational friction, and improve data trust. - Mentor junior team members and contribute to best practices across the embedded team. Required Qualifications & Experience: - Extensive experience in Media & Entertainment (Studio, Production, or Network) is strongly preferred to ensure an immediate grasp of industry vernacular. While we are looking for an entertainment background first, the priority is a world-class architect who has built similar complex systems from the ground up. - 7+ years of experience in data engineering, operations engineering, or workflow systems design - 5+ years designing and operating data structures used for analytics and operational reporting - Advanced proficiency in SQL, data modeling, and transformation logic - Experience with cloud-based data platforms and services (e.g., data warehouses, object storage, ETL/ELT tools) - Experience working with low-code or workflow management platforms - Experience building governed datasets used across multiple stakeholder groups - Strong understanding of software engineering best practices, including: - Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments - Strong written communication and documentation skills Preferred Qualifications & Experience: - Experience establishing metadata standards, taxonomies, and workflow governance