Temporary Tableau Solutions Architect (Hands-On)

POSITION SUMMARY: 

We are developing a multi-dashboard Tableau reporting ecosystem for a client’s media program. While detailed business requirements, metric definitions, governance rules, and dashboard priorities have been defined, the Tableau data architecture has not yet been finalized. We are seeking a senior-level Tableau Solution Architect who can validate requirements, design the technical architecture, and execute the build. This is a hands-on role requiring both strategic architectural judgment and advanced development expertise.

The selected candidate will translate business requirements into a scalable, performant, and governed Tableau environment suitable for executive presentation and long-term expansion. This role requires proactive validation, architectural leadership, and disciplined execution.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Requirements Validation & Technical Leadership   

• Review and validate business requirements, metric definitions, and governance logic for feasibility within Tableau. 
• Identify structural risks, performance constraints, and logical conflicts early in the engagement. 
• Lead technical clarification discussions with stakeholders when requirements lack architectural specificity. 
• Translate business ambiguity into structured Tableau solutions. 
• Proactively flag tradeoffs between ideal business logic and Tableau constraints. 

Solution Architecture 

• Design the Tableau data model, including: 
  • Relationships vs. joins 
  • Extract vs. live connection strategy 
  • Data refresh and performance optimization approach 
  • Governance integration at the data layer 
• Architect a scalable and reusable filter taxonomy (12 shared dimensions) across all dashboards. 
• Establish a framework for: 
  • RAG (Red/Amber/Green) status cascading logic 
  • Learning Readiness Gate conditional logic 
  • Automated data status flags (e.g., STALE, BLOCKED) 
• Determine appropriate placement of logic across: 
  • Data layer 
  • Calculation layer 
  • Visualization layer 
• Define performance benchmarks and workbook design standards. 

Dashboard Development & Implementation   

• Build 10 production-ready dashboards including: 

  • Executive Summary 
  • Stewardship 
  • Market Performance (map view) 
  • Channel Performance 
  • Program Layer Scorecards 
  • Audience Comparison 
  • Creative Governance 
  • Learning Agenda Tracker 

  Additional expectations: 

  • Implement multi-condition Learning Readiness Gate logic using advanced calculated fields. 
  • Ensure RAG framework logic cascades appropriately across dependent views. 
  • Design for dual audiences: 
  • Internal analyst views 
  • Executive/client-facing presentation views 
  • Maintain consistent tab-based structure and layout standards. 
  • Optimize LOD expressions and calculation frameworks for performance and clarity. 

Data Quality, Testing & Governance 

• Optimize dashboards for performance at scale. 
• Establish performance benchmarks and refactor where needed. 
• Publish to Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud with: 
• Appropriate project structure 
• Permissioning strategy 
• (If applicable) Row-level security implementation 
• Provide guidance on user access structure and governance best practices. 

Post-Launch Support â€¯ 

• Availability for short-term post-launch refinement period (1–2 weeks). 
• Optional extension for phase two enhancements or performance optimization. 

Technical Environment (Current State)  

• Multi-source media reporting environment (e.g., DSP, analytics, and marketing data sources) 
• Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server/Cloud 
• Approximate dashboard ecosystem: 10 interconnected dashboards 
• Dual-use environment (internal analytics + live client presentation) 

• Candidates should demonstrate experience operating in multi-source, cross-functional data environments with moderate-to-high data complexity.  

REQUIREMENTS: 

• 5+ years of experience designing and building production-level Tableau solutions. 
• Demonstrated experience architecting Tableau environments directly from business requirements. 
• Advanced proficiency in: 
  • LOD expressions 
  • Complex calculated fields 
  • Table calculations 
  • Conditional and cascading logic frameworks 
• Deep understanding of Tableau data modeling and performance optimization. 
• Experience building reusable filter frameworks across multi-dashboard ecosystems. 
• Experience designing map-based geographic views. 
• Experience publishing and managing content in Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud. 
• Experience implementing security models, including row-level security (if required). 
• Ability to independently interpret metric definitions and build scalable implementations. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in media or marketing performance reporting (CPM, CPCV, VCR, Reach/Frequency). 
• Familiarity with multi-source data platforms (e.g., Improvado, GA4, DSP data). 
• Tableau Desktop Certified Data Analyst or equivalent certification. 
• Experience using Tableau Prep for upstream data shaping. 
• Experience establishing BI governance standards within enterprise environments. 

Measures of Success

• Architecture supports all dashboards without structural rework. 
• Governance logic (RAG framework, readiness gating, data status indicators) operates correctly and consistently. 
• Dashboards meet defined performance benchmarks. 
• Client-facing views are polished and presentation-ready. 
• Documentation enables future maintainability and expansion. 
• Post-launch refinements are minimal due to strong upfront architectural validation. 

Role Profile 

This role is best suited for a senior Tableau professional who operates as:  

• A Solution Architect 
• A Governance Implementer 
• A Performance Optimizer 
• And a Hands-On Builder 

We are seeking someone who does not simply execute instructions, but who validates requirements, designs the appropriate technical foundation, and delivers a scalable reporting system with confidence and precision. 

WHY WORK AT NOVUS:

We Bring Brands To Where People Live Their Lives.

NOVUS is an independent local media planning and buying agency. We are focused on local media of all types including video, audio, OOH, digital, and print. We have carved out a unique position in the marketplace; with comprehensive data sets, proprietary tools and some of the best strategists in the industry, NOVUS builds and executes plans that achieve remarkable results.

NOVUS provides a collaborative work environment, with career advancement potential and offers an array of benefits as well as considerable time off allowances. Additionally, as a mid-sized agency, team members have direct exposure to senior management on a regular basis and they get the opportunity to work on a range of assignments with significant responsibilities. By joining one of the premier media companies in the industry, you'll be part of a team that is passionate, engaged, forward-thinking and seizing opportunities daily.

Position Salary

We are committed to providing pay ranges for all open positions. Please note that the specific compensation for this role will be determined based on your experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity considerations. The hourly rate range for this position is $75.00 - $125.00.

NOVUS Benefits

NOVUS offers a full array of health care and wellness benefits, which currently includes medical, prescription, dental, vision, life and accidental death & dismemberment insurances, short and long-term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, a health savings account, legal services, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program. Eligible employees are those that are full-time salaried or part-time salaried employees working 30 hours per week or more, as well as those whose eligibility is required by applicable state law.  A group retirement savings plan is also available to all salaried employees.  While the Company continually seeks to improve upon and add to its current benefits suite, it believes you will find the benefit programs as comprehensive as any in the industry.

A Word on Diversity

Novus Media is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against and applicant or employee of the Company, on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, marital or family status, age, gender identity or expression, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.  Our agency is committed to creating a workplace where every employee feels welcomed, respected, and valued. We embrace diversity in all its forms, and we strongly encourage people from a variety of backgrounds to apply.