SAP IS-U DATA ARCHITECT / LEAD

This project is with Cognizant for a Utility company in Phoenix, AZ.

Role: SAP IS-U Data Architect / Lead

Number of Position: 1
Location: Remote. Anywhere in US (Available for On-demand and paid for Travel to Phoenix, AZ)

Domain Preference: Utility industry background strongly preferred (candidates with SAP IS-U FICA experience specifically within the utilities sector will be prioritized)

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Senior SAP S/4HANA Data Architect to lead the strategy, governance, and delivery of enterprise data workstreams for a large-scale SAP S/4HANA implementation at a utilities client in Phoenix, AZ. This role is oriented toward architecture direction, governance, and workstream management — the candidate will define standards, direct the data team's execution, and manage delivery, rather than personally performing day-to-day data mapping or cleansing tasks. Utility industry experience is required, given the client's sector-specific data landscape (customer, meter, and asset data).

Responsibilities:

• Own the data architecture strategy and governance model for the SAP S/4HANA implementation and transformation program.
• Define data migration, governance, quality, and master data management standards for the program.
• Direct business and technical teams in designing scalable data models and integration solutions; review and approve designs.
• Oversee (rather than personally execute) data mapping, cleansing, validation, conversion, and reconciliation activities performed by the data team.
• Own project plans, timelines, risks, and deliverables for all data workstreams.
• Coordinate with functional, technical, and integration leads to ensure the data workstream aligns with overall program delivery.
• Direct testing strategy, cutover planning, and post-go-live data validation, with execution delegated to the data team.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to the data team, and represent the data workstream in steering committee and executive updates.

Required Qualifications:

• 18+ years of SAP experience with deep expertise in SAP S/4HANA Data Architecture, including prior utility industry engagements.
• Proven experience leading (directing, not hands-on executing) enterprise SAP data migration and transformation programs.
• Strong command of SAP Master Data, Data Migration, Data Governance, and Data Quality principles sufficient to set standards and validate team output.
• Working knowledge of SAP Migration Cockpit, SAP Data Services, SAP MDG, or similar tools — enough to direct and review team execution, not necessarily to operate the tools personally.
• Strong understanding of SAP S/4HANA functional modules and enterprise data integration, particularly utility-specific data domains (customer, meter/device, asset).
• Prior experience specifically within the utilities domain (electric, gas, or water utility clients) is required.
• Excellent program-level project management, executive communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred:

• SAP Activate methodology experience.
• SAP MDG or Data Services certification.
• PMP or equivalent project/program management certification.
• Prior experience on SAP IS-U to S/4HANA Utilities conversion or greenfield implementations.