Accelerator Data Architect - Job Opportunity at Sanofi EU

Lyon, France
Full-time
Senior
Posted: May 29, 2025
On-site
EUR 85,000 - 120,000 annually based on senior-level data architecture roles in Lyon pharmaceutical sector, with potential for significant bonuses and equity participation in digital transformation initiatives

Benefits

Comprehensive health and wellbeing programs including high-quality healthcare coverage that positions candidates above standard market offerings
Prevention and wellness programs demonstrating proactive employee health investment beyond typical corporate benefits
Gender-neutral parental leave of at least 14 weeks, significantly exceeding French legal minimums and US standards
Thoughtful rewards package designed to recognize contribution and amplify professional impact
International career mobility opportunities with global assignment potential
Extensive talent development programs with both vertical promotion and lateral movement pathways

Key Responsibilities

Drive enterprise-level data architecture evolution with unified standards and integration protocols, directly impacting organizational scalability and competitive advantage
Lead cross-functional partnership initiatives to ensure data models support analytical requirements across diverse business domains
Champion Data Mesh principles adoption through strategic communication to technical and business stakeholders, establishing organizational transformation
Design and implement scalable data-sharing patterns that minimize system dependencies while enabling autonomous application evolution
Collaborate on enterprise data governance frameworks that ensure transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance adherence
Foster continuous improvement culture in data architecture practices while identifying emerging technology opportunities
Stay at forefront of decentralized data management advancements to enhance organizational data capabilities and market position

Requirements

Education

A degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, or a related field

Experience

Proven track record of designing data architectures, leveraging a robust foundation in engineering and architecture

Required Skills

expertise in data modeling, taxonomy, and interoperability technical and functional expertise in Data and AI, encompassing areas like data engineering, data architecture, master data management, data lakes and warehouses, data visualization, artificial intelligence, and machine learning strategic thinking experienced in working with cross-functional teams to align data architecture topics with business and analytical needs ability to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences, gaining organizational buy-in through clear communication proficiency in designing and maintaining scalable data architectures, ideally with experience in large enterprise environments expertise in data modeling techniques and experience with schema design and metadata management familiarity with integration tools (e.g., Informatica) and API management for seamless cross-domain data flow knowledge of data exchange protocols (e.g., REST, GraphQL) to facilitate reliable and standardized data sharing proficiency in governance platforms to manage data quality, lineage, and compliance familiarity with data cataloging tools and stewardship frameworks solid understanding of Data Mesh principles and hands-on experience with decentralized data architecture frameworks experience with cloud data platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and familiarity with data warehouses (e.g., Snowflake), and scalable storage experience in using agile methodologies and delivery tools such as Jira, Confluence fluency in English
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Healthcare organizations are undergoing massive digital transformation initiatives, with pharmaceutical companies like Sanofi investing heavily in data-driven drug discovery and personalized medicine approaches. The integration of AI and machine learning in healthcare has accelerated significantly post-pandemic, creating unprecedented demand for senior data architects who can bridge traditional pharmaceutical operations with cutting-edge technology platforms. Data Mesh architecture is becoming the dominant paradigm for large enterprises managing complex, multi-domain data ecosystems. This decentralized approach to data architecture is particularly critical in pharmaceutical companies where research, clinical trials, manufacturing, and commercial operations generate vastly different types of data that must be integrated while maintaining domain expertise and regulatory compliance. The European pharmaceutical market is experiencing increased regulatory scrutiny around data governance and AI transparency, driven by GDPR and emerging AI regulation frameworks. This creates a premium for data architects who can design systems that balance innovation with compliance, particularly in France where data sovereignty concerns are prominent.

Role Significance

Likely leading a team of 3-5 junior/mid-level data architects and engineers, while collaborating across multiple cross-functional teams including data engineering, AI/ML, and business analytics groups
This is a senior individual contributor role with significant strategic influence, positioned as a technical leader who shapes enterprise-wide data architecture decisions. The role carries responsibility for mentoring other architects and driving organizational transformation, indicating a level just below director/principal architect positions.

Key Projects

Enterprise data platform modernization initiatives spanning multiple therapeutic areas and geographical regions Implementation of Data Mesh architecture to support decentralized data ownership across research, development, and commercial operations AI/ML infrastructure development for drug discovery and clinical trial optimization Regulatory compliance automation systems for data lineage and audit requirements

Success Factors

Deep understanding of pharmaceutical industry data challenges including clinical trial data management, regulatory submission requirements, and manufacturing quality systems that differentiate healthcare data architecture from other industries Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value propositions for senior leadership, particularly important in pharmaceutical companies where technical and scientific leadership often have different priorities and communication styles Experience managing data architecture in highly regulated environments where compliance requirements can significantly impact technical design decisions, requiring careful balance between innovation and risk management Strong change management capabilities to drive adoption of Data Mesh principles across traditionally siloed pharmaceutical organizations where domain expertise is deeply entrenched

Market Demand

Very High - Critical shortage of senior data architects with pharmaceutical domain expertise and Data Mesh experience in European markets

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Data Mesh architecture expertise is absolutely essential as Sanofi appears to be implementing this emerging paradigm across their enterprise. Understanding decentralized data ownership, domain-driven design, and federated governance will be crucial for success in this role and represents highly valuable skills in the current market. Cloud platform proficiency, particularly AWS and Azure, is critical given the pharmaceutical industry's migration toward cloud-first architectures. Healthcare companies are increasingly leveraging cloud platforms for scalability while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. Enterprise integration experience using tools like Informatica is vital for pharmaceutical companies managing complex data flows between research systems, clinical trial platforms, manufacturing execution systems, and commercial analytics platforms.

Beneficial Skills

Healthcare domain knowledge including clinical data standards (HL7, FHIR), regulatory submission processes, and pharmaceutical manufacturing data would significantly accelerate effectiveness in this role Machine learning and AI platform experience would be valuable given Sanofi's focus on AI-driven drug discovery and personalized medicine initiatives Regulatory compliance expertise in European markets, particularly GDPR and emerging AI regulation frameworks, would provide additional value in this Lyon-based position

Unique Aspects

This role specifically focuses on 'Accelerator' initiatives, suggesting involvement in Sanofi's digital innovation programs designed to rapidly prototype and scale new data-driven healthcare solutions
The emphasis on Data Mesh architecture positions this role at the forefront of enterprise data architecture evolution, providing exposure to cutting-edge decentralized data management approaches
International scope with English as working language indicates global impact potential and exposure to diverse regulatory environments across Sanofi's worldwide operations
Integration of AI and data architecture responsibilities suggests broad technical scope beyond traditional data management roles

Career Growth

3-5 years to principal architect level, 5-8 years to director-level positions, with accelerated progression possible given the critical nature of digital transformation in pharmaceutical industry

Potential Next Roles

Principal Data Architect or Chief Data Architect roles within Sanofi or other major pharmaceutical companies Data and Analytics Director positions overseeing broader data science and engineering organizations Chief Technology Officer roles at biotech companies or pharmaceutical startups Independent consulting roles specializing in healthcare data transformation

Company Overview

Sanofi EU

Sanofi is a multinational pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in Paris, ranking among the world's top 5 pharmaceutical companies by revenue with over EUR 40 billion in annual sales. The company operates across vaccines, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, and general medicines, with significant R&D investment exceeding EUR 6 billion annually focused on immunology, oncology, and neurology.

Sanofi maintains a strong position in the global pharmaceutical market with particular strength in vaccines (second largest vaccine company globally), diabetes care, and rare diseases. The company is actively pursuing digital transformation initiatives to maintain competitive advantage against both traditional pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotech firms leveraging AI-driven drug discovery.
Lyon represents a strategic location for Sanofi's European operations, providing access to France's growing biotechnology ecosystem while maintaining proximity to major European markets. The city offers cost advantages compared to Paris while providing access to excellent technical talent from local universities and research institutions.
Large pharmaceutical companies like Sanofi typically offer structured career development, extensive training programs, and strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and quality systems. The digital transformation initiative suggests a culture shift toward more agile, technology-focused approaches while maintaining the scientific rigor expected in pharmaceutical development.
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