Lead - Platform Services

Our most valuable asset is our people .

At ZS we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences and belief systems the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are and

make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are part of your success here. Learn more about our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces, obtaining the resources they need to thrive, and sharing the messages they are passionate about.

What you ll do:

• Project Leadership : Lead cross-functional teams, including Specialists, Developers, and Operators, to deliver impactful solutions that address client business challenges. Ensure all project deliverables, from design to operations, meet client expectations and maintain high standards of quality.
• Client Collaboration & Stakeholder Management : Build and sustain strong relationships with client stakeholders, understanding their unique business information needs. Communicate complex technical insights in a clear, client-focused manner that addresses core business questions and outcomes.
• Solution Design & Technical Ownership : Translate client expectations and complex business challenges into precise technical requirements. Lead projects across all phases, from discovery and Proof of Concept (POC) through to full-scale operations, ensuring alignment with client needs and organizational standards.
• End-to-End Project Management : Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, including project planning, resource allocation, staffing, and risk management. Work closely with Senior Leadership in project planning, progress tracking, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Quantitative Analysis & Problem Solving : Apply quantitative and analytical skills to evaluate and interpret client data. Devise specific plans for analyzing data to derive insights that address client s business queries and execute complex problem-solving to meet both functional and performance expectations.
• Collaboration with Internal Teams : Work with other internal teams, such as Architecture and Validation, to incorporate best practices and ensure that solutions meet the highest standards of functionality and quality.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation : Actively seek opportunities for innovation, driving improvements in project approaches and solution designs. Mentor and guide team members, providing strategic input for intellectual capital development and exploring new technologies for problem-solving.
• Documentation & Standards : Lead comprehensive documentation efforts, including systems design, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and project roadmaps, to ensure consistency and clarity across projects.
• Data Interpretation & Communication : Analyze and interpret client data, focusing on answering business-critical questions and delivering actionable insights. Communicate findings in a way that prioritizes business value over technical detail, facilitating a clear understanding of results and recommendations.
• Client Availability & Expertise Development : Be readily accessible to clients during working hours to support ongoing queries and provide expertise. Develop in-depth knowledge in specialized analytics areas to anticipate and meet evolving client needs effectively.

What you ll bring:

• Education : MBA with a Bachelor s (or graduate) degree in a quantitative, analytical field such as Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Management Science, Data Science, Statistics, Econometrics, or Engineering.

• Alternatively, candidates may hold a PhD in marketing, economics, decision sciences, or a related field with a strong business application.
• Candidates may also qualify with a Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, MIS, IT, or a related technical field, with additional relevant experience.

• Experience :

• Up to 3 years of post-MBA relevant work experience and 3-5 years of pre-MBA relevant work experience, with a focus on analytics and client-facing roles.
• Consulting Industry: 6-8 years of consulting experience in medium-large scale technology solution delivery, with a track record of successful project execution and client engagement.
• Technical Skills:
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in data processing solutions, data modeling, and experience with ETL technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, PySpark, Informatica, Talend, SSIS).
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python, SQL, Java, Scala, and understanding of data structures.
• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP, and exposure to distributed computing.
• In lieu of an advanced degree, candidates with 8-10 years of progressive, relevant experience may also be considered.

Additional Skills

• Analytical and Technical Expertise : Strong problem-solving skills with a quality-focused, innovative approach to analytics and technology.
• Advanced Modeling & Tools : Proficiency with advanced modeling techniques and tools, such as R, SAS, Tableau, or VBA, with a proven record of delivering actionable insights.
• Client Presence and Communication : Strong client presence with the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts verbally and in writing to diverse audiences, including senior decision-makers.
• Project and Team Management : Ability to manage a virtual, global team environment to ensure timely delivery of multiple projects. Strong supervisory, coaching, and hands-on project management skills.
• Business Intelligence and Data Knowledge : In-depth knowledge of current data modeling and data warehousing concepts, methodologies, and trends in the Business Intelligence domain.
• Technical Troubleshooting : Experience with analyzing and troubleshooting the interaction between databases, operating systems, and applications.
• Travel Flexibility : Willingness to travel to global offices as needed to work directly with clients or collaborate with internal project teams.