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Job Analysis:
The Lead Data Engineer role at iHeartMedia is fundamentally about architecting and continuously optimizing robust, scalable data pipelines that support the company's extensive and diverse audio content and advertising platforms. The candidate is expected to manage complex data flows sourced from numerous platforms—broadcast radio, streaming, podcasts, social media, and ad tech systems—ensuring data is captured, processed, and delivered efficiently to cross-functional teams, including software developers, data scientists, and business stakeholders. Success in this role demands deep expertise in ETL/ELT processes, cloud engineering (preferably Google Cloud Platform), and advanced programming (especially Python), as these skills enable the handling of very large, disconnected datasets common in media and advertising tech. Beyond technical prowess, the Lead Data Engineer must possess excellent communication skills to translate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, enabling strategic data-driven decision-making. Autonomy, problem solving, and the ability to innovate by automating processes or redesigning infrastructure for scale are key, as the role involves identifying latent inefficiencies and acting decisively to resolve them. This person will operate within a fast-moving, collaborative environment—juggling multiple critical projects, mentoring less experienced engineers, and directly influencing the reliability and scalability of the company's data backbone. Their performance will be measured by the robustness, efficiency, and scalability of data workflows, as well as their impact on cross-team data enablement and business intelligence efficacy within the first year.
Company Analysis:
iHeartMedia is a dominant leader in the American audio media landscape, delivering content across a breathtaking range of platforms—from traditional radio broadcasts to cutting-edge digital streaming and podcasts. This market leadership means the company operates at an enormous scale with a highly data-driven approach to audience engagement and advertising effectiveness. The culture appears to blend innovation with inclusivity, emphasizing collaboration, curiosity, and respect—traits essential in a company managing fast-paced product development and diverse content delivery streams. The role is likely situated within a technically sophisticated, cross-functional team that collaborates closely with IT, data science, and business units, offering substantial visibility given the strategic importance of data infrastructure to iHeartMedia’s business model. As the industry evolves rapidly with streaming and podcasting largely redefining audio consumption, this hire aligns strategically with scaling and optimizing the company's data capabilities to maintain competitive advantage. The focus on cloud technologies, DevOps, and automation reflects the company’s investment in modernizing infrastructure to support expanding data needs. For a candidate, thriving here means embracing agility, continuous learning, and a proactive mindset tuned toward both technical excellence and business impact within a large yet dynamic media powerhouse.