Director Data Architecture & Governance

Job Location: Hershey, PA
Note: This position can be hybrid/remote with travel to Hershey, PA once or twice a month.

At Hershey, data isn’t just about numbers—it’s about creating the future of snacking. Our data scientists use advanced analytics to understand customer preferences, forecast trends that shape the industry and optimize our business. You’ll have the opportunity to work on projects that directly impact the Hershey products that people know and love – driving real-world results and more moments of goodness.  Due to business growth and transformation, Hershey has a new leadership opportunity on our IT team, Director Data Analytics.

The Director of Data Architecture & Governance is responsible for establishing and leading the data architecture and governance strategies to ensure data quality, consistency, and accessibility across the organization. This role involves extensive collaboration with business leaders, IT teams, and data stewards to define the data architecture, develop data policies, standards, and frameworks to support the organization’s strategic objectives and drive data-driven decision-making

Responsibilities/Outcomes:

• Lead the design and implementation of the data architecture strategy in close collaboration with the enterprise architecture team, ensuring alignment with business goals and IT initiatives. Oversee the creation of data models, structures, and integrations to support efficient data management and usage.
• Create and enforce data governance policies, procedures, and standards to ensure data integrity, quality, and security. Facilitate data stewardship and ownership across the organization to promote accountability and adherence to governance practices.
• Work closely with business leaders, IT teams, and data stewards to understand data requirements and ensure the data architecture and governance strategies meet organizational needs. Drive cross-functional initiatives to enhance data integration and utilization.
• Oversee compliance with data-related regulations and industry standards, such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA. Implement and maintain controls to protect sensitive information and manage data privacy risks.
• Guide and support data management projects, including data migration, integration, and transformation efforts. Ensure robust data lifecycle management practices are in place, from data creation and storage to archiving and disposal.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Very strong communication skills enabling to interact and effectively engage with influence across the enterprise (SME to executive leadership)
• In-depth knowledge of data architecture principles, data modeling, database design, and data integration techniques. Proficiency in using data management tools and platforms, such as ETL tools, data warehouses, and cloud-based data solutions.
• Expertise in data privacy regulations and compliance standards relevant to the industry. Ability to implement and maintain governance frameworks that ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Exceptional analytical abilities to assess data-related challenges and identify effective solutions. Strong problem-solving skills to address data quality issues and optimize data management processes.

Experience & Education:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is highly preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in data architecture, data governance, or a related field, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role. CPG experience highly preferred.

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