Senior Data Architect – Pharma (Consulting & Platform Focus) – Chicago / Onsite – $200,000–$220,000 + Bonus

A global Enterprise AI and Analytics company trusted by Fortune 500 and Global 2000 enterprises for data-driven decision-making has built custom AI and advanced analytics solutions focused on solving real business problems through its innovative hybrid model.

Their proprietary platform provides pre-built workflows and plug-and-play modules that enable connected intelligence with lower TCO and they are now looking to appoint a Senior Data Architect to play a critical role in a high-profile pharma engagement based in Chicago.

Role Overview

On our client’s behalf, we are seeking a senior, consulting-oriented Data Architect to lead the design and evolution of enterprise-scale data platforms within regulated pharma environments. This role sits at the intersection of data architecture, data engineering and client advisory.

You will not be expected to code day-to-day, but you must understand data engineering concepts deeply and be able to guide architecture decisions, influence delivery teams and engage confidently with senior client stakeholders.

This is a highly visible role supporting patient analytics, commercial analytics and broader pharma data ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Platform Leadership

• Design and guide scalable data architectures supporting pharma use cases such as patient analytics, commercial analytics, supply chain, and operational reporting.
• Own architectural decisions across data ingestion, transformation, modeling, and analytics layers.
• Provide architectural direction on cloud-native data platforms across AWS and/or Azure.
• Ensure data platforms meet governance, quality and regulatory standards in pharma environments.

Consulting & Client Advisory

• Partner with client stakeholders to translate business requirements into robust data architecture solutions.
• Lead architecture discussions with client leadership, influencing platform strategy and long-term roadmaps.
• Act as a trusted advisor, balancing speed, scalability, and governance in regulated settings.
• Support delivery teams by setting technical direction and ensuring alignment between design and execution.

Delivery Oversight & Enablement

• Guide and mentor large delivery teams across data engineering and analytics.
• Oversee platform migrations, modernization initiatives and complex data integrations.
• Ensure architectural consistency across multiple workstreams and client ecosystems.

Required Qualifications

• 8–15 years of experience in data architecture, data engineering leadership, or platform design roles.
• Strong experience working in pharma or life sciences environments, ideally within the last 2–3 years.
• Background in consulting or client-facing delivery roles strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of data architecture concepts, pipelines, and modern analytics platforms.
• Experience designing data solutions in regulated environments (e.g., pharma, healthcare).
• Cloud experience across AWS or Azure (cloud-agnostic mindset).
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Comfort operating at a senior level without being hands-on in code.

Location & Logistics:

• This role is Chicago-based and requires 4 days onsite per week.
• Candidates must be within commuting distance or open to relocation.
• Can provide sponsorship for H1B.

Compensation:

$200,000–$220,000

Why This Role?

This is a critical, high-impact hire supporting a major pharma client. You’ll have real influence over platform design, work closely with senior stakeholders, and help shape data ecosystems that directly impact patient and commercial outcomes.