Director, Global Data Strategy (Hybrid - Acton, MA or San Diego, CA)

Position Summary

The Director, Global Data Strategy Lead is a strategic, highly visible leadership role responsible for defining and executing the company’s enterprise‑wide data strategy. This leader will partner closely with the CTO organization to design, build, and optimize a scalable global data architecture and database ecosystem that supports the company’s long‑term operational, analytical, and innovation needs. This role will serve as the primary liaison and integrator across Data Governance, ensuring the effective stewardship, quality, protection, and ethical use of data across all regions and business units. The ideal candidate is a visionary strategist with deep hands‑on experience in enterprise data management, cross‑functional leadership, and global data governance frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

Global Data Strategy & Architecture

• Develop and maintain the enterprise-wide Global Data Strategy, ensuring alignment with business priorities, CTO initiatives, and digital transformation goals.

• Lead the design and roadmap for a centralized, scalable, secure global database and data architecture that enables advanced analytics, AI/ML, and data interoperability.

• Partner with Enterprise Architecture, Engineering, and Infrastructure teams to implement modern data platforms (e.g., cloud data lakes, data warehouses, MDM).

• Define and maintain enterprise data models, taxonomies, metadata standards, and integration frameworks.

Partnership with CTO Organization

• Act as the strategic data advisor to the CTO and CTO leadership team.

• Provide data strategy guidance for platform decisions, technology investments, and architectural modernization.

• Lead collaborative planning sessions to align the global data architecture roadmap with product, engineering, and technology capabilities.

Data Governance Leadership

• Serve as the liaison between Technology and the Data Governance Office, ensuring governance policies seamlessly integrate into the company’s data systems and workflows.

• Champion enterprise-wide adoption of data governance frameworks, standards, and controls.

• Oversee data quality, master data management (MDM), lineage, classification, and privacy-related initiatives.

• Partner with Risk, Legal, Compliance, and Security to operationalize data regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Develop strong partnerships with business units, regional leadership, Analytics, Finance, HR, Marketing, and Operations to understand data needs and enable enterprise solutions.

• Lead cross-functional steering committees and working groups focused on data strategy and governance.

• Drive change management and data literacy efforts to build a data‑driven culture across the organization.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build and mentor a high‑performing team of data strategists, architects, and governance specialists.

• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability.

• Influence and manage executive‑level stakeholders and communicate complex technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.

Qualifications

Required

• 12+ years of experience in enterprise data strategy, data architecture, or related roles within complex, global organizations.

• Deep expertise in data architecture, database design, metadata management, and data integration.

• Strong understanding of data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA-DMBOK) and regulatory compliance.

• Demonstrated experience working directly with CTO, CIO, or senior technology leadership.

• Proven track record leading cross-functional initiatives and managing global stakeholders.

• Hands-on experience with modern cloud data technologies (Azure, AWS, GCP), data lakes, MDM, and data warehousing.

• Excellent communication, executive influence, and strategic storytelling skills.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Management, or related field.

• Experience in implementing enterprise-wide data governance programs.

• Background in multinational or matrixed corporate environments.

• Familiarity with AI/ML data requirements and advanced analytics strategy.

Success Measures

• A clear, measurable global data strategy aligned to business and technology objectives.

• Adoption and st