Data Architect

Sequoia Financial Group is a growing Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), headquartered in Northeast Ohio, offering financial planning and wealth management services. At Sequoia, we exist with a singular purpose: to enrich lives. Our values define how we behave and guide us through the pursuit of our purpose to enrich lives. At Sequoia, our core values are:

• • Integrity. We act in the best interests of others by providing an honest, consistent experience for our clients and team.
  • Passion. We pursue our full potential, seeking to continually enhance and evolve our ability to serve our clients and team.
  • Teamwork. We subordinate our egos to work together for the benefit of our clients.

Our promise to team members is that you will grow with us. From experienced advisors to new college grads to transitioning principals, every team member will find Sequoia a place to refine their professional mission, move into new opportunities, go deeper, and lead further. We are built to help you build a career here as a long-term contributor in our work to enrich lives for generations.

Summary of the position

As we expand our Data & AI Office, we seek a hands-on Data Architect to help shape our data strategy, drive architectural excellence, and enable scalable, secure, and intelligent data platforms. This role is pivotal in supporting our enterprise-wide data initiatives, including client record definition, master data management, and AI adoption.

The Data Architect will be responsible for designing and implementing scalable data architectures that support Sequoia’s strategic initiatives across wealth planning, client experience, operations, and M&A. This individual will work closely with cross-functional stakeholders, including technology, client experience, compliance, and investment operations, to ensure data integrity, accessibility, and usability.

This hands-on role requires technical depth in cloud architecture, data modeling, LLM integration, vector databases, and data quality frameworks. The ideal candidate will possess strong prioritization skills, stakeholder management capabilities, and a proactive attitude toward learning and innovation.

This role reports directly to the Vice President of Data and Integrations and collaborates closely with the Chief Technology Officer, Chief Client Experience Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and PMO.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement scalable data solutions on Microsoft Azure, including data lakes, data warehouses, and real-time data pipelines
• Design and maintain Master Data Management (MDM) frameworks to ensure consistency and accuracy across client, account, and product data
• Integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) and vector databases to support advanced analytics, personalization, and intelligent automation.
• Establish and enforce data quality standards, validation rules, and governance protocols across all data domains.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into technical data solutions, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals.
• Lead data architecture reviews, documentation, and design sessions with internal teams and external vendors
• Support the development of metadata management, lineage tracking, and data cataloging capabilities.
• Provide technical leadership in Python-based data engineering and automation tasks.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and regulatory requirements, particularly in the financial services domain.
• Partner with vendors and implementation partners to deliver high-impact data projects on time and within budget

Required Skills/Experience

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or related roles
• Proven experience in designing and implementing data solutions on Microsoft Azure
• Hands-on expertise in Python programming for data processing, automation, and integration
• Strong understanding of LLMs, vector databases (e.g., pgvector, Pinecone, Weaviate, FAISS), and their application in enterprise environments
• Experience with Master Data Management (MDM) tools and frameworks
• Demonstrated ability to implement data quality controls and governance mechanisms
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate effectively across technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong prioritization and project management skills in fast-paced environments
• Azure Cloud Certification (preferred but not mandatory)
• Experience in financial services, banking, or insurance sectors

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Familiarity with data integration tools (e.g., Azure Data Factory, Synapse, Databricks)
• Exposure to data privacy regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and SEC guidelines
• Experience working with Salesforce, Tamarac, eMoney, Fidelity, Schwab, and Box is a plus.
• Strong documentation and presentation skills aligned with executive expectations

Competencies

• Growth mindset with a passion for continuous learning and innovation
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in hybrid work settings