Data & AI Enablement Manager

LocationAtlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San FranciscoJob DescriptionAbout L.E.K. Consulting:L.E.K. Consulting (“L.E.K.”) is a global management consulting firm that uses deep industry expertise and rigorous analysis to help business leaders achieve practical results with real impact. It is uncompromising in its approach to helping clients consistently make better decisions, delivering improved business performance, and creating greater shareholder returns. The firm advises and supports global companies that are leaders in their industries — including the largest private and public sector organizations, private equity firms, and emerging entrepreneurial businesses. Founded more than 35 years ago, L.E.K. employs more than 2,200 professionals across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe and is recognized as a top consulting firm to work for. For more information, go to Position OverviewWe are seeking an experienced and visionary Manager/Senior Manager, Data & AI Enablement, to lead the design, architecture, build, implementation, and governance of our enterprise-wide data ecosystem. This role sits within our global IT organization and will focus on implementing and managing Azure Data Fabric and its full component suite, driving enterprise architecture strategy, advancing AI enablement, and ensuring seamless integration across critical business systems.The successful candidate will bring a deep background in enterprise data management, application development, integration architecture, AI/GenAI enablement, and governance, coupled with hands-on expertise in Azure Cloud and multi-cloud data platforms. As a global consulting organization, we require someone who understands the complexities of multi-country operations, data residency, and regulatory compliance.The ideal candidate can roll up their sleeves when needed and assist the development team side-by-side, and prides themselves on the ability to teach, coach, and mentor others. The candidate will also need to be resilient in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.ResponsibilitiesStrategic LeadershipPartner with senior IT and business stakeholders to align data, integration, development, and AI strategies with global objectives, especially around automation and efficiency.Provide thought leadership on architecting applications, interfaces, workflows, and data stack, all with the assumption of AI/ML usage and modular architecture design.Lead, mentor, and inspire a new 8+ person global team who are currently on a learning journey Azure Data Fabric & Cloud ImplementationLead the deployment and management of the full Azure Data Fabric stack, including but not limited to:Azure Data Factory (data integration & orchestration)Azure Synapse Data Warehouse (analytics & big data)Azure Synapse Data Science (advanced analytics & ML)OneLake (unified data lake storage)Microsoft Fabric Activator and related toolsData Engineering, Data Science, Real-Time Analytics, Power BI, and Governance workloads within Fabric.Ensure seamless connectivity and governance across the end-to-end Fabric ecosystem.Oversee Azure Cloud–based data architecture to ensure scalability, resiliency, and performance.Build, implement, and maintain CI/CD pipelines relevant for the data and integration teams to ensure efficient deployment and automation. Data Warehousing & Advanced Data PlatformsDefine and manage enterprise-scale data warehousing strategies across SQL Server, Azure SQL.Oversee design, performance optimization, and scaling of data warehouses.Ensure data warehouse design supports AI/ML workloads, advanced analytics, and real-time reporting needs.Optimize database performance through Sharding, Bucketing, indexing, partitioning, caching, and query tuning. Enterprise Architecture & IntegrationDefine and oversee enterprise architecture patterns to ensure scalable and reliable data and system integration.Map and manage system integrations across enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, Salesforce, Ivanti, Workday, iManage, etc.).Design and manage integrations using:APIs (REST, GraphQL, custom APIs)Data Payloads (JSON, XML)Messaging and communication protocols (WebSocket, queues)Legacy and enterprise standards (WSDL, API, SOAP-based integrations)Establish integration best practices, API governance, MCP, and middleware standards for consistency and efficiency. Data Management & GovernanceLead strategy and execution for data governance, metadata management, and data cataloging.Implement master data management (MDM) frameworks to ensure consistent, trusted data across the enterprise.Drive adoption of enterprise-wide data standards, policies, and stewardship programs.Management of reporting and analytic platforms such as PowerBI, Tableau, Savant, Alteryx. AI & Intelligent Automation EnablementDevelop and execute strategy for AI/ML, LLMs, and Generative AI adoption, including build outs of GPTs and Agents.Enable AI-driven data use cases leveraging Azure Data Fabric and related tools.Oversee workflow orchestration and automation tools such as Microsoft Power Automate, or similar platforms.Partner with business units to design AI-enabled solutions that drive insights and innovation. Qualifications & Experience10-15 years of experience in data management, enterprise architecture, and integration leadership.Prior experience as a Big Four consultant is highly preferred.Hands-on expertise in the Azure Data Fabric ecosystem (Data Factory, Synapse, OneLake, Data Science, Activator, etc.).Proven experience managing data warehousing platforms (SQL Server, Azure SQL, other cloud data warehouses).Experience growing a junior team.Proficiency in Python, SQL, and T-SQL, with strong knowledge of database performance optimization techniques.Expertise in API integration (REST, GraphQL), data payload formats (JSON, XML), and messaging protocols (sockets, WebSockets, SOAP, WSDL).Strong track record in data governance, metadata management, MDM, and data cataloging.Experience in AI/ML enablement, LLMs, GenAI platforms, and workflow automation tools (PowerAutomate, etc.).Integration expertise with SAP, Salesforce, Ivanti, and Workday is a plus.Exposure to data warehouse design, AI-driven analytics, and performance tuning at scale.Strong understanding of global operations, data residency, and regulatory requirements.Excellent leadership, communication, and executive stakeholder engagement skills.Willing to work global hours as the team is dispersed across London, Paris, Boston, and New YorkSome travel required Why Join UsLead global initiatives at the cutting edge of data & AI strategy.Shape the future of data management, leveraging Microsoft Azure Data Fabric and modern AI ecosystems.Collaborate with world-class professionals across industries and geographies.Drive innovation in global consulting services through enterprise-scale data solutions. For more information and to apply, go to L.E.K. Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer  L.E.K. Consulting has a hybrid work model in place for our U.S. offices.  In California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York, the base salary is between $170,000 - $185,000 (USD); placement within this range will vary based on experience and skill level. L.E.K. also offers a performance bonus, profit sharing and other benefits.  Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without the need for employer sponsorship. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider candidates requiring sponsorship for visas, including but not limited to TN, H1-B, F-1, STEM OPT/CPT, or any other work authorization.