Lead Agile Data Platform Coach

Lead Agile Data Platform Coach

About the role

We are seeking a highly experienced Lead Agile Data Platform Coach to drive the successful delivery of data, analytics, and platform initiatives within the Utilities industry. In this role, you will coach and mentor cross-functional Agile teams while partnering with Product Owners, Data Engineers, and business stakeholders to deliver scalable, high-quality solutions leveraging Palantir, Snowflake, PySpark, and PL/SQL. You will play a critical role in strengthening Agile maturity, improving delivery predictability, and ensuring ITSM governance practices are embedded across the organization. The ideal candidate combines deep Agile coaching expertise with strong data platform knowledge and a solid understanding of utility operations, regulatory requirements, and operational excellence. As a trusted advisor, you will help teams transform complex operational data into actionable business insights that improve reliability, efficiency, and customer outcomes.

In this role, you will:

• Coach cross functional agile teams in the utilities domain to apply scrum practices effectively ensuring predictable delivery of data and platform solutions that enhance reliability and efficiency of utility operations.
• Guide teams in planning and executing sprint ceremonies including backlog refinement sprint planning daily scrums reviews and retrospectives to foster continuous improvement and transparent communication.
• Support product owners in refining and prioritizing product backlogs so that features and enhancements align with organizational objectives regulatory expectations and utility customer needs.
• Collaborate with development teams working on PL SQL based solutions to streamline data workflows optimize queries and ensure robust integration with core utility systems and reporting platforms.
• Partner with data engineering teams leveraging Snowflake and PySpark to design and deliver scalable data pipelines that enable accurate forecasting demand management and operational analytics for utility services.
• Coordinate with teams using Palantir platforms to structure data models build analytical workflows and deliver practical insights that improve asset management grid performance and service continuity.
• Implement and monitor ITSM process governance across hybrid work models to standardize incident problem change and configuration management in alignment with utility sector reliability and compliance requirements.
• Enable adoption of agile metrics such as velocity cycle time and defect trends using data from PL SQL Snowflake and Palantir dashboards to promote fact based decision making and transparent performance tracking.
• Facilitate alignment between technology teams and business stakeholders in utilities operations ensuring that agile delivery focuses on outcomes like reduced outages optimized maintenance and enhanced customer satisfaction.
• Mentor team members and scrum masters in advanced agile coaching techniques helping them resolve impediments improve collaboration and develop a culture of accountability and experimentation.
• Coordinate day shift activities across hybrid locations ensuring smooth communication handoffs and support for critical utility processes without requiring travel to maintain continuity of operations.
• Collaborate with risk and compliance groups to embed regulatory considerations into agile ways of working ensuring that utility projects meet safety data privacy and audit expectations.
• Drive initiatives that connect agile delivery outcomes to broader company purpose by emphasizing how improved utility reliability and efficiency contribute to sustainable resource use and positive societal impact.

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in San Francisco, CA. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• Demonstrate twelve to fifteen years of professional experience including extensive time spent coaching agile and scrum teams in complex technology environments with a strong exposure to utilities sector processes and challenges.
• Exhibit advanced proficiency in PL SQL with the ability to review solutions optimize queries and guide teams in building reliable data extraction transformation and reporting logic for utility applications.
• Show hands on experience working with Snowflake and PySpark to design secure scalable and performant data platforms that support analytics forecasting and operational insights in the utilities domain.
• Display practical expertise with Palantir based solutions including building data pipelines and analytic workflows that transform operational data into actionable recommendations for utility operations.
• Provide deep knowledge of ITSM process governance frameworks and tools to help teams embed standard practices for incident problem and change management into agile delivery models.
• Bring strong understanding of utilities industry operations including asset management metering billing outage management and regulatory expectations to ensure that agile work items reflect real business priorities.
• Communicate clearly in hybrid work settings using virtual collaboration tools and structured updates to maintain alignment during day shift operations without needing travel commitments.
• Apply advanced coaching skills to influence teams and stakeholders through facilitation mentoring and constructive feedback while respecting diverse perspectives and maintaining a psychologically safe environment.

Certifications required

• Certified Scrum Professional or equivalent agile coach certification and ITIL Foundation certification related to ITSM process governance.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary and Other Compensation

Applications will be accepted until November 10, 2026.

The annual salary for this position is between $81,000 - $135,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

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, state or local laws.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The company is unable to provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for this position.

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.

About Cognizant: 
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap 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, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.