The Data Modeler for Self-Service BI will be responsible for designing, implementing, and governing analytical data models that enable business users to independently explore data, build reports, and derive insights while maintaining enterprise standards for data quality, consistency, and security. This role focuses on creating intuitive, reusable, and well-documented dimensional models and semantic layers that balance self-service flexibility with strong data governance. The Data Modeler will work closely with the CDW team (which consists of data engineers, BI developers, data governance SMEs) and business stakeholders to operationalize a scalable self-service BI ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
Self-Service–Oriented Data Modeling
• Design and maintain dimensional data models (star and snowflake schemas) that are intuitive for business users and optimized for self-service analytics.
• Define certified datasets, conformed dimensions, and standardized fact tables to enable consistent cross-functional reporting.
• Establish clear grain, metric definitions, and usage guidance to minimize misinterpretation by non-technical users.
Semantic Layer and BI Enablement
• Design and implement semantic models, metrics layers, and reusable calculations.
• Ensure data models support drag-and-drop analytics, ad hoc exploration, and governed customization.
• Optimize models for performance and usability in Power BI.
Business enablement
• Collaborate with business users, analysts, and citizen developers to understand analytical needs and common use cases.
• Provide guidance and best practices for leveraging certified datasets in self-service BI tools.
• Support training and enablement initiatives for the business citizen developers.
Data governance and guardrails
• Apply data governance standards, naming conventions, and modeling best practices.
• Align data models with business glossaries, data catalogs, and metadata management tools.
• Support role-based access control, data security, and privacy requirements within analytical models.
• Participate in data quality monitoring and remediation efforts.
Collaboration with Data Engineering
• Work closely with data engineers to ensure data pipelines support modeled requirements and refresh SLAs.
• Review transformations, aggregation logic, and performance tuning strategies.
• Participate in design and release reviews to ensure production readiness.
Documentation and Change Management
• Produce clear, business-friendly documentation, including model diagrams, metric definitions, and usage instructions.
• Support impact analysis and change communication when models or metrics are updated.
• Maintain versioned artifacts and promote model reusability.
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4–8+ years of experience in data modeling and BI environments, with direct exposure to self-service analytics.
Technical Skills
• Strong expertise in dimensional modeling and analytical data design in Azure SQL MI.
• Advanced SQL skills and experience validating analytical data.
• Experience designing semantic layers and certified datasets in Power BI.
• Proficiency with data modeling and diagramming tools.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience implementing or maturing a self-service BI operating model.
• Knowledge of data governance, metadata management, and data catalog tools.
• Experience supporting citizen developers and analytics communities of practice.
• Familiarity with cloud-based analytics platforms and modern data stacks.
• Certifications in data management, analytics, and BI technologies.
Core Competencies
• Strong business acumen and user-centric design mindset
• Ability to balance governance with analytical agility
• Clear communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
Contact Information
Email: nagarajup@techrakers.com
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