Principal Data Consultant

Join a trans tasman leading consultancy in a Principal Consulting role working on great projects Why You’d Like It Senior data specialists looking for a role that perfectly balances high-level strategic advisory with technical execution will find exactly what they are looking for here. This opportunity allows a seasoned professional to influence New Zealand's most ambitious organisations, guiding them to build robust data frameworks without getting lost in rigid corporate structures. It is an ideal position for someone who wants to make a visible impact on a rapidly growing practice while remaining close enough to the technology to set the technical benchmark. The Story Driven by substantial growth and a clear market demand for sophisticated data solutions, the data and analytics practice is expanding its footprint across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The team is heavily investing in top-tier talent to help clients design modern, AI-ready data foundations. This hire is critical to bridging the gap between complex business transformation goals and practical, high-quality technical delivery across multi-stream engagements. Company Profile Operating as an established trans-Tasman transformation partner, this business solves real-world challenges across cloud, data, AI, integration, and business applications. They reject the typical one-size-fits-all approach, focusing instead on tailoring technology solutions that unlock lasting commercial value. The internal culture is highly collaborative, diverse, and forward-thinking, placing equal weight on client success and the genuine well-being of their people. Your Role Lead the design of modern data architectures across operational and analytical use cases, focusing on lakehouse/medallion structures, dimensional modelling, and integration design. Facilitate discovery workshops and execute data maturity assessments to deliver actionable data strategies and roadmaps for senior business and technical stakeholders. Maintain a hands-on presence during platform delivery, collaborating with the team on Microsoft Fabric, Azure, Databricks, and Snowflake environments. Integrate robust data governance, master data management, metadata management, and data quality into all solution frameworks. Advocate for practical AI adoption, ensuring clients build their AI capabilities on highly secure and solid data foundations. Oversee complex data migration streams, particularly CRM and ERP migrations tied to wider business application transformation projects. Support presales activities by estimating scopes, contributing to RFP proposals, and clearly communicating technical trade-offs to clients. Mentor junior and senior consultants while contributing to the practice's internal standards, shared knowledge base, and reusable assets. Benefits A highly collaborative, inclusive, and supportive culture centered on meaningful outcomes rather than just output. A competitive salary along with flexible working arrangements designed to support a healthy work-life balance. Extra leave initiatives including birthday leave and dedicated volunteer days. Regular team social events and clear professional development pathways to support long-term career growth. Your Fit Eight or more years of experience in data architecture, senior data engineering, or data consulting, with a track record of leading complex, high-value client engagements. Deep expertise in logical and physical data modelling, Kimball dimensional modelling, and medallion architecture. Proven technical delivery experience using the Microsoft Azure stack and Microsoft Fabric, supported by strong SQL, Python, and ETL/ELT skills. Strong advisory instincts, with the ability to confidently run discovery sessions and present clear solutions to senior executives. A solid understanding of data governance, master data management, and data quality principles. Familiarity with presales processes, including scoping, estimating, and presenting commercial technology proposals. Natural leadership qualities with experience mentoring technical peers and raising overall team delivery standards. Additional experience with Databricks, Snowflake, Power BI, dbt, Microsoft Purview, or Microsoft AI solutions (such as Copilot or Azure OpenAI) is highly advantageous. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand. If you are not a NZ Citizen, you must have the right of permanent residence or a valid work visa. #J-18808-Ljbffr