Business Intelligence Architect

Responsibilities

• Design and build enterprise semantic models in Microsoft Fabric using Direct Lake mode, Power BI Datasets, and Dataflows Gen2
• Develop well-structured star and snowflake schemas optimized for Power BI performance, NLQ discoverability, and Copilot compatibility
• Author complex DAX measures, calculated columns, and KPI logic following organizational standards; ensure measure naming and descriptions support AI-assisted querying
• Evaluate and implement incremental refresh, aggregations, and query reduction strategies
• Architect semantic models to support natural language query (Q&A, Power BI Copilot, Azure OpenAI integration) by enforcing descriptive field names, synonyms, and measure annotations
• Define and maintain Q&A synonyms, linguistic schemas, and field-level descriptions that enable accurate AI-driven query interpretation
• Enable Power BI Copilot and Microsoft Fabric AI features, including AI-generated report summaries, smart narratives, and anomaly detection
• Lead Aprio’s adoption of Power BI Copilot and Microsoft Fabric AI features, including AI-generated insights to ensure accuracy, auditability, and alignment with firm standards
• Evaluate emerging Microsoft AI capabilities (Fabric Workload Hub, Copilot Studio, OneLake AI catalog) and provide architectural recommendations for phased adoption
• Partner with business stakeholders to identify high-value use cases for AI-assisted analytics, self-service insights, and conversational BI
• Collaborate with data engineers, DevOps, and business analysts to ensure analytical models support downstream use cases including Copilot and self-service BI
• Champion data literacy and responsible AI use across the organization in collaboration with the data governance manager and data governance committee
• Own the semantic model layer within the Aprio Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse architecture (OneLake, Lakehouses, Notebooks)
• Define and enforce naming conventions, model governance standards, certification processes, and AI metadata standards for published datasets
• Coordinate with the data engineering team to ensure clean, well-documented source data is available for modeling and AI consumption
• Monitor model health, performance, and usage via Power BI Admin portal and Fabric Monitoring Hub
• Establish AI governance practices including prompt auditability, output validation standards, and acceptable use policies for AI-generated content within BI workflows

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience designing and publishing Power BI semantic models in enterprise environments
• Proficiency in DAX, Power Query (M), and data modeling concepts (star schema, relationships, cardinality)
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric (OneLake, Lakehouses, Dataflows Gen2, Direct Lake mode)
• Demonstrated experience with Power BI Q&A, linguistic schema authoring, and synonym configuration for natural language query
• Familiarity with Power BI Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, or Azure OpenAI Service integrations with Fabric data sources
• Experience with Azure OpenAI Service, Semantic Kernel, or LangChain in analytics or data product contexts
• Experience with Copilot Studio or Power Automate AI flows for automating insight delivery
• Exposure to Copilot Studio or Power Automate AI flows for automating insight delivery
• Experience in a professional services or accounting firm environment
• Familiarity with Microsoft Purview for data cataloging, lineage, and AI governance

Core Competencies

• Data Modeling Proficiency
• Performance Optimization
• AI & NLQ Enablement
• Translating to Tech and Non-Tech Analytical Thinking
• Coaching & Mentorship
• Attention to Detail
• Internal/External Team Collaboration
• Strong Communication
• Continuous Learning Mindset
• Business Acumen
• Responsible AI Judgment