Lead Data Architect

About the role

Virta is looking for a Lead Data Architect to own its data platform and report to the VP of Engineering. Snowflake and other data platforms are already in place after years of fast growth, so the role is about taking ownership of what exists, deciding what stays and what changes, and setting the direction for the future. The first priority is a shared model for core business entities such as customers, legal entities and commercial relationships, used consistently across systems. It is a hands-on role combining architecture and leadership: you start as an individual contributor, writing reference implementations and reviewing code, and within 12 months you will define the team's roles and build a data team of 3-5 people.

Key responsibilities

• Own the target architecture: set warehouse layers, modeling standards and ingestion patterns for domain teams.
• Harmonize the core entity model across operational and analytical systems.
• Design governance for data ownership, definitions, quality and access.
• Write reference implementations, dbt models, data contracts and reusable patterns.
• Shape the semantic layer feeding BI, from embedded product analytics to internal reporting.
• Define roles and structure, build the team from internal talent and new hires, and lead it as it grows.
• Advise product, engineering and business teams on data design and run data-literacy training.
• Partner with product and engineering on data-heavy initiatives and support architecture due diligence for integrations and acquisitions.

Required profile

• 8+ years in data engineering or data architecture, including at least 3 years owning architecture decisions others built on.
• Proven track record in team leadership and talent development.
• Ability to collaborate in a matrix organization and turn business reality into data structures.
• Experience harmonizing an established data model across multiple systems.
• Production-level SQL and Python (or another language), writing code weekly.
• Experience with modern transformation and orchestration tooling and practical data governance.
• Competence using AI tools in your own work.
• Strong English communication skills.

Required skills

• Deep, current Snowflake expertise: modeling, performance, cost management, security and access design.
• Dimensional and domain modeling.
• SQL and Python.

Hybrid work from Helsinki is preferred; remote work is possible within European operating countries. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.