Data Operations Lead, Acquisition & Delivery

JOB SUMMARY

As the Data Operations Lead, Acquisition & Delivery, you will be responsible for bringing data into our environment from various external sources, ensuring it is mapped and normalized to our internal models, and distributing finalized datasets to external partners. You will serve as the primary point of contact for both internal business users and external vendors, addressing data needs and operational challenges. This position requires a blend of hands-on technical skills (especially SQL and healthcare data domain knowledge), vendor and stakeholder management, and team leadership. You will also oversee the operational aspects of our Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) system—including creating user accounts and managing access—to facilitate secure, reliable data exchange.

Preferred location for applicants is MN.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the intake of data from diverse external sources, aligning incoming data with internal data models.
• Validate, map, and normalize datasets to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance with internal standards.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to refine data requirements, troubleshoot ingestion issues, and maintain documentation.
• Manage the distribution of curated data extracts to external partners or systems.
• Monitor data delivery workflows, resolve operational incidents, and ensure service level agreements (SLAs) are met.
• Coordinate with business users and stakeholders to address data delivery schedules, formats, and quality concerns.
• Serve as the primary owner of the SFTP environment, creating new user accounts, provisioning containers, and managing file access.
• Maintain security best practices and regulatory compliance across all file transfer activities.
• Proactively monitor performance, resolve technical issues, and update documentation as needed.
• Act as the central liaison for internal users requiring data acquisition or delivery solutions.
• Manage relationships and communication with external vendors, ensuring service levels and contractual obligations are met.
• Escalate and resolve critical operational or data-related issues with appropriate urgency and clarity.
• Directly supervise a small team of contractors, providing guidance, performance feedback, and coaching (player/coach model).
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., Engineering, Analytics, Product) to ensure smooth hand-offs, accurate data flows, and timely issue resolution.
• Foster a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement within the team.

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in data operations, data engineering, or a related field with a focus on data ingestion and delivery.
• Strong domain knowledge of healthcare data types (e.g., claims data, EHR data, HL7, FHIR) highly preferred.
• Previous experience managing contractors or small teams in a “player/coach” capacity preferred.
• Proficient in SQL for data profiling, ad-hoc queries, and validation of ingestion/delivery workflows.
• Demonstrated experience with data mapping, normalization, or ETL processes.
• Familiarity with SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) or similar file transfer infrastructures, including user account management and security best practices.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Exceptional communication skills for liaising with internal stakeholders (business users, analytics teams) and external vendors.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities; adept at resolving issues in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.