Role Overview
The Associate Director – Data Fabric & AI Strategy is a senior consulting and architecture leadership role responsible for shaping Data Fabric, enterprise data warehousing (including Amazon Redshift), legacy‑to‑cloud modernization direction, and AI / agentic AI adoption strategy across large‑scale client transformation programs.
Operating directly under the Technology Leader / Chief Architect, this role focuses on strategy, target‑state architecture, governance, and executive advisory, while partnering closely with project management, client enterprise architecture teams, and key business and technology stakeholders to ensure architectural alignment and informed decision‑making.
Primary Consulting Mandate
- Define enterprise‑grade Data & AI target architectures aligned to business outcomes and risk posture
- Ensure platforms are designed for reuse, trust, scalability, and regulatory confidence
- Guide modernization direction and architectural trade‑offs
- Enable progression from analytics to AI to bounded agentic AI, supported by governance and controls
- Translate enterprise vision into governable standards, reference patterns, and decision frameworks
Technical Skills
Enterprise Data & Platform Architecture
- Data Fabric architecture and domain‑oriented data design
- Cloud‑native data platforms (AWS preferred)
- Enterprise data warehousing, including Amazon Redshift
- Legacy‑to‑cloud data platform modernization
- Architecture standards, patterns, and governance
- Security, privacy, and compliance considerations for data and AI enablement
Certifications (Preferred)
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
Functional Skills
- Data & AI strategy execution under enterprise technology leadership
- Architecture governance, design assurance, and executive decision support
- Solution structuring and technology trade‑off analysis
- Stakeholder alignment across business, IT, and enterprise architecture
- Client‑facing advisory, executive communication, and workshop facilitation
AI & Agentic AI Enablement
- Experience enabling AI‑ready data platforms and governed analytics foundations
- Architectural exposure to advanced analytics, machine learning, and agentic AI use cases
- Ability to design platforms that evolve from insight‑driven analytics to AI‑enabled action with transparency and accountability
Industry Experience
- Energy & Utilities experience helpful but optional
- Experience advising regulated or asset‑intensive enterprises strongly valued
Leadership Skills
- Senior consulting mindset with deep architecture credibility
- Executive‑ready communication and stakeholder influence
- Ability to drive alignment across multiple teams without direct authority
- Strategic judgment with pragmatic decision‑making
Education & Work Authorization
Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or MBA preferred
Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship
Work Model & Travel
- Remote role within the United States
- Eastern Time working hours required
- Up to 25%
Compensation (Pay Transparency)
Base salary range (good-faith estimate): $122,400 - $194,000 annually.
Eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, subject to applicable plan terms.
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
401(k) plan with company contributions.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Employee Assistance Program.
17 Paid holidays plus PTO.
Paid parental leave and fertility assistance.
Learning and development programs and certifications.
What we offer
- The chance to work with impact. Here, you’re empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
- Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
- The opportunity to thrive on a high caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other’s experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and a pension plan with matching contributions.
- Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
- True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.
About us
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.
Other employment-related information
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.