[Remote] Sr Manager Platform Development - Data Services (Databricks, AI)

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. NISC is a technology solutions provider focused on serving utilities and broadband customers across North America. The Senior Manager Platform Development - Data Services will lead the data engineering and analytics teams, overseeing the strategy and execution of NISC’s enterprise data platforms to enhance data-driven decision-making and AI solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and mentor technical teams across Data Engineering, CDC, BI, and Data Curation; own hiring, coaching, performance, career growth, and team health
• Define and execute the Data Services strategy and operating model, aligned with NISC’s business objectives, data-driven decision-making, and AI-enabled solutions for Members
• Drive continuous improvement of CDC pipelines to enhance the speed, quality, and reliability of data moving from operational systems into the cloud lakehouse
• Oversee the design, development, and optimization of scalable data pipelines, the lakehouse, and analytics frameworks in AWS and Databricks
• Lead the BI platform modernization and go-forward BI strategy, including the semantic/curation layer and the self-service “bring your own tool” experience for customers
• Champion best practices in data governance, data quality, data cataloging, lineage, and reliability; treat security, privacy, and compliance as first-class platform capabilities
• Establish FinOps practices — cost modeling, forecasting, and optimization across the Databricks/AWS platform and Member usage tiers
• Identify opportunities to incorporate automation, AI, and advanced analytics into platform workflows and Member-facing products
• Promote collaboration and alignment between Data Services, Application Development, Product, and business stakeholders; reduce handoffs and clarify ownership
• Establish and track KPIs for platform performance, pipeline reliability, team productivity, cost, and business/Member impact
• Manage resource planning, prioritization, and delivery across multiple concurrent initiatives using a single, transparent intake and prioritization process
• Partner with senior leadership to translate business and Member needs into technical roadmaps and priorities
• Stay current on emerging data and AI technologies and bring innovative, practical solutions to improve platform capabilities
• Commitment to NISC’s Shared Values and promotion of our cooperative spirit
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

• Lead, develop, and mentor technical teams across Data Engineering, CDC, BI, and Data Curation; own hiring, coaching, performance, career growth, and team health
• Define and execute the Data Services strategy and operating model, aligned with NISC's business objectives, data-driven decision-making, and AI-enabled solutions for Members
• Drive continuous improvement of CDC pipelines to enhance the speed, quality, and reliability of data moving from operational systems into the cloud lakehouse
• Oversee the design, development, and optimization of scalable data pipelines, the lakehouse, and analytics frameworks in AWS and Databricks
• Lead the BI platform modernization and go-forward BI strategy, including the semantic/curation layer and the self-service 'bring your own tool' experience for customers
• Champion best practices in data governance, data quality, data cataloging, lineage, and reliability; treat security, privacy, and compliance as first-class platform capabilities
• Establish FinOps practices — cost modeling, forecasting, and optimization across the Databricks/AWS platform and Member usage tiers
• Identify opportunities to incorporate automation, AI, and advanced analytics into platform workflows and Member-facing products
• Promote collaboration and alignment between Data Services, Application Development, Product, and business stakeholders; reduce handoffs and clarify ownership
• Establish and track KPIs for platform performance, pipeline reliability, team productivity, cost, and business/Member impact
• Manage resource planning, prioritization, and delivery across multiple concurrent initiatives using a single, transparent intake and prioritization process
• Partner with senior leadership to translate business and Member needs into technical roadmaps and priorities
• Stay current on emerging data and AI technologies and bring innovative, practical solutions to improve platform capabilities
• Commitment to NISC's Shared Values and promotion of our cooperative spirit
• Strong experience with modern cloud data platforms — Databricks, Oracle, and AWS (S3, Lambda, Spark, Aurora/PostgreSQL, etc.)
• Deep understanding of data engineering concepts: ETL/ELT, data modeling, the medallion/lakehouse pattern, streaming and batch processing
• Hands-on familiarity with Change Data Capture frameworks and streaming (e.g., log-based CDC, Debezium-style approaches, Kafka) and DevOps practices for data pipelines (Terraform, CI/CD)
• Understanding of programming languages such as Python, Scala, or Java
• Familiarity with BI/reporting tool integration (Power BI, Tableau, AWS QuickSight) and data visualization best practices, plus semantic-layer and self-service analytics concepts
• Working knowledge of data governance, cataloging, and access control (e.g., Databricks Unity Catalog) and of identity/OAuth-based access patterns
• Working knowledge of AI/ML and GenAI integration within data ecosystems
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and scale high-performing technical teams — ideally multiple teams or team leads
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills with a focus on employee growth and engagement
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and fostering collaboration across disciplines
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment at all organizational levels, especially through periods of change
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Experience defining and implementing technical strategy and multi-year roadmaps
• Ability to balance long-term vision with near-term execution and to prioritize amid competing demands
• Strong project and program management capabilities; experience introducing scalable intake and prioritization processes
• FinOps / cloud cost-management awareness
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, including with Members
• Innovative mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
• Results-driven, with strong ownership and accountability
• Adaptable and comfortable leading in a Member-focused, rapidly evolving environment
• Passion for leveraging data and technology to drive tangible value for NISC and its Members
• 6+ years in data engineering, analytics, or data platform roles, with 4+ years in formal people leadership
• Experience leading a cloud data platform migration or modernization, a BI tool replacement, or a self-service/“bring your own tool” data-access program
• Experience in utility, broadband, cooperative, or other regulated/Member-focused industries is a plus
• Bachelor's or master's degree in a Computer Science, Information Systems, Data/Analytics and/or related field (or equivalent experience)

Benefits

• Hybrid from one of our office locations: Atlanta, GA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Lake Saint Louis, MO; Mandan, ND
• Hybrid Schedule: Minimum of working 3 day per week out of an office location and ability to work up to all 5 days a week from an office location
• Required Days from an Office Location: Tuesday and Wednesday - the third required day will be up to the candidate and their supervisor to choose
• Virtual Office: Candidates working from a remote location within approved states will be considered for those who have applicable industry experience
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Company Overview