We are seeking an experienced BI Architect / Project Lead to guide and oversee a major initiative to modernize our customers business intelligence and reporting architecture.

As this initiative will evolve at a deliberate pace due to business constraints, we expect this engagement to be a 50% position, providing ample time to collaborate with internal stakeholders, assess needs, and drive change sustainably. The consultant will lead the design and implementation of a Data Lakehouse architecture using cloud-based platforms, manage the selection of BI tools, and develop a long-term roadmap for transforming our current BI landscape. This includes selecting the right platform (Google Cloud, Azure, or similar), performing a Proof-of-Concept (PoC), and defining standards for self-service reporting tools like Qlik, SAP Analytics Cloud, or Power BI. The consultant will also work on identifying third-party partners, define a clear migration path from our current Microsoft SQL Server-based data warehouse, and create a high-level plan and budget for the full BI/Reporting transformation project.

Key Responsibilities:


Architecture & Strategy

- Consult and advise on the development of a scalable Data Lakehouse architecture using modern cloud-based services (Google Cloud, Azure, or similar).- Collaborate with business stakeholders to assess current BI and reporting needs and define a future-state architecture that meets business goals.- Lead the process of selecting a Data Lakehouse platform, providing objective guidance on the best cloud service (Google Cloud, Azure, Databricks, etc.) for the company’s needs.- Recommend and establish a self-service reporting tool standard (Qlik, SAP Analytics Cloud, Power BI, Tableau, Looker, or similar) that supports business users’ needs for access to analytics and data.

Proof of Concept & Implementation

- Manage and potentially help develop a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) to validate the architecture and selected BI tools, working closely with internal teams to demonstrate the value of the proposed solution.- Define the steps for the transition from our Microsoft SQL Server Data Warehouse to the new Data Lakehouse environment, ensuring co-existence during transition and minimal disruption.- Lead the integration of key data sources into the new architecture, validating data quality, and system performance during the PoC.
Project Management & Partner Collaboration

- Work with the company’s internal team to create a high-level project plan, including key milestones, timelines, and a clear migration path from the current system.- Identify and engage potential third-party partners and vendors to provide expertise and support during implementation and migration.- Provide consultative support in estimating costs and developing a budget for the full BI/Reporting project, ensuring that the plan aligns with both technical requirements and business constraints.

Governance, Standards & Best Practices

- Align and evolve guidelines for data governance, security, and compliance within the new architecture, ensuring best practices are followed.- Establish standards for documentation and guidelines for data warehousing, BI development, and self-service reporting to ensure scalability and maintainability.- Recommend industry best practices for managing data privacy and security, in line with regulatory requirements and company policies.

Need to have

5+ years of experience as a BI architect, data engineer, or project lead with a focus on modern cloud-based data architectures.

Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing Data Lakehouse architectures using cloud platforms (Google Cloud, Azure, Databricks, or similar).

Expertise in BI tools (Qlik, SAP Analytics Cloud, Power BI, Tableau, or similar), including setting up environments for self-service reporting.

Experience leading Proof-of-Concept (PoC) initiatives and successfully transitioning data architectures from traditional data warehouses to cloud-based solutions.

Strong project management skills with the ability to work at a sustainable pace, aligning with internal business readiness

Nice to Have

- Prior experience in Fashion/Retail industries or a similar dynamic business environment.- Hands-on knowledge of machine learning or AI-powered analytics as part of a modern data architecture.- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) or retail-specific platforms, providing a well-rounded understanding of business data needs.