Data Architect (Manager Candidate - Data Solutions Department)

Background of the Role

The Data Solutions Department aims to maximize business value through data-driven decision-making. As our organization scales and enters a new phase, we are strengthening our management structure to optimize collective output.

Following our "Money Forward AI Vision 2025", leveraging AI to boost productivity has become a core theme across our data infrastructure and operations. We are seeking a Manager Candidate to lead our specialists (Analytics Engineers and Data Scientists) and act as a strategic hub, driving data and AI utilization across the company. You will play a pivotal role in project leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and member growth.

In this role, you will serve as a Manager Candidate, leading a team of specialists and acting as a strategic hub to drive data and AI integration across the company. We are looking for a leader who can serve as the core of our data organization—supporting project execution, strengthening cross-functional collaboration, and fostering member growth.

Main Responsibilities

You will oversee data-driven projects and manage a team of Analytics Engineers and Data Scientists. Key focus areas include:

• Project Leadership & Quality Control
  
  • Monitor project progress, resolve roadblocks, and optimize resource allocation.　
  • Review data pipelines and analytical outputs to ensure high quality and technical integrity.
  • Manage project risks and lead troubleshooting efforts.
• Stakeholder & Strategic Management
  
  • Partner with business units to align expectations and define AI/data requirements.
  • Develop strategic roadmaps and contribute to data governance and security policies.
• People Management & Team Development
  
  • Handle goal setting, performance evaluations, and 1-on-1 support for team members.
  • Drive team building and task assignments based on individual strengths.

*Note: Specific scope will be determined based on your experience and career aspirations.

Overview of Initiatives (Examples)

• Strategic Infrastructure Design: Design the ideal analytics infrastructure by aligning stakeholder goals with future AI integration.
• Cross-Functional Analytics: Partner with diverse departments (Business, Engineering, HR, etc.) to drive data visualization and analysis.
• AI-Ready Roadmap: Develop a roadmap for an AI-optimized data environment, including the integration of cutting-edge AI development tools.

Key Opportunities

• Define Strategic Data: Lead data development and operations in a cross-functional organization, defining "high-versatility data" across diverse business domains.
• Lead Top-Tier Specialists: Gain invaluable experience managing Analytics Engineers and Data Scientists to drive significant collective impact.
• Direct Business Impact: Engage in upstream processes—translating data insights into executive decisions and operational growth.
• Shape Organizational Culture: Exercise high autonomy in building our data/AI organization, from goal setting to fostering a thriving team culture.

Expected Role

• Strategic Opportunity Creation: Understand business challenges and "translate" them into impactful AI and data solutions.
• Balancing "Why" and "How": Drive projects to success by aligning technical execution with business objectives.
• People-First Leadership: Enhance team productivity by fostering high engagement through deep, individual support.

Desired Mindset

• Ownership of Improvement: Look beyond the status quo to identify issues and drive proactive, hypothesis-led improvements.
• Purpose-Driven: Prioritize the "Why" and "What" (objectives) over the "How" (means).
• Strategic & Holistic View: Maintain a big-picture perspective and drive projects by working backward from the ideal goal.

Required Skills & Experience

• Technical Background: 3+ years in data infrastructure, analytics, or machine learning projects.
• Project Management: Proven experience in requirement definition, scheduling, and stakeholder coordination.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong communication and negotiation skills with non-technical business/executive teams.
• People Management: 2+ years of experience managing Analytics Engineers, Data Scientists, or Analysts.

Language Requirements

• Japanese: Business level (JLPT N1 or equivalent required).
• English: TOEIC 700+ or equivalent.
  　　Other certifications (e.g., Eiken Pre-1, TOEFL iBT 60+, IELTS 5.0+, FCE) or relevant experience are also welcome.
  　　Candidates without a valid score will be asked to take a company-designated test (typically after the 1st interview).

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in launching data organizations or driving data utilization projects.
• Experience with Agile/Scrum development methodologies.
• Proficiency in Git (GitHub/GitLab) and data modeling tools like dbt or Dataform (professional or personal).
• Experience in DWH/Data Mart development using AWS or GCP.
• Strong interest in Dimensional Modeling and data architecture.
• Experience in data mart development using AI tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code).
• Dashboard construction using BI tools like Tableau or Looker.
• Experience in AI development or AI tool utilization.
  　◦Aligned with "Money Forward AI Vision 2025". We aim to integrate AI Agents into all products to boost productivity.

Who We’re Looking For

• Resonates with Money Forward’s mission and values.
• Eager to explore diverse domains and proactively solve complex problems.
• Able to take a holistic view and balance short-term wins with long-term goals.
• Ready to take leadership in building and refining data analytics infrastructure.
• Hands-on expertise in data modeling, data mart development, and data management systems.

Technology Stack

• Data Warehouse: BigQuery, Databricks
• Data Modeling: dbt, Dataform
• Orchestration: dbt Cloud, trocco, Cloud Composer (Airflow)
• BI & Visualization: Looker, Looker Studio

Tools Used

• Repository Management: GitHub
• CI/CD: GitHub Actions
• Development Environment: VS Code, Cursor, Claude Code
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform
• Communication: Slack
• Documentation & Knowledge Base: Notion

Work Environment

At Money Forward, we provide a world-class environment to co-create global services.

• High-Spec Gear: Latest macOS/Windows PCs with customizable specs and regular hardware refreshes.
• Peripherals: Company-funded monitors, mice, and keyboards. Custom requests outside our standard catalog are welcome.
• MF Library: Free access to technical and business books. New books can be purchased at company expense.
• Referral-Driven: Subsidies for networking dinners and a referral bonus program.
• Conference Support: Full or partial subsidies for domestic and international conferences (e.g., RubyKaigi, Google I/O).