Manager, Software Engineering - AI and Data Platform

The Engineering Manager Data & AI Platform is responsible for leading teams that build operate and evolve Blackbaud’s enterprise Data & AI platform—the foundation that powers analytics data products machine learning and agent‑based experiences across the company.

This role blends people leadership platform ownership and technical strategy. You will manage engineers working across modern data and AI infrastructure (Lakehouse pipelines feature services ML enablement observability and governance) while ensuring the platform is scalable secure cost‑efficient and product‑oriented.

Success in this role requires strong engineering judgment the ability to operate in ambiguity and a passion for building platforms that accelerate teams and unlock business outcomes for the nonprofit sector.

What You’ll Do

• Own and evolve core Data & AI platform capabilities including ingestion transformation lakehouse architecture feature services and AI/ML enablement layers.

• Drive platform decisions aligned with Blackbaud’s Unified Data & AI Platform Strategy (modularity interoperability AI‑first design)

• Partner with Architecture Governance and Security to ensure the platform meets trust compliance and Responsible AI standards.

• Balance build vs. buy decisions prioritizing core competencies while reducing operational complexity.

• Lead teams to deliver high‑impact platform initiatives aligned to AOP priorities (legacy modernization cloud migration cost optimization agent enablement).

• Ensure platform reliability through operational excellence including monitoring incident management and performance optimization.

• Establish clear roadmaps milestones and success metrics for platform initiatives.

• Hire mentor and grow high‑performing platform engineers across geographies.

• Provide regular feedback coaching and career development aligned with Blackbaud’s people strategy.

• Ensure every team member has clear goals an active IDP and opportunities to grow in modern Data & AI skills.

• Collaborate closely with Product Data Science Analytics and Product Engineering teams to ensure the platform accelerates—not blocks—delivery.

• Influence standards and best practices across the Data Intelligence COE.

What we'll want you to have:

• 8+ years of experience in software data or platform engineering.

• 3+ years of experience managing and developing engineering teams.

• Hands‑on experience with modern data platforms (cloud data lakes/lakehouses distributed processing streaming APIs).

• Strong understanding of platform engineering principles and operating production systems at scale.

• Proven ability to lead through ambiguity and influence without authority.

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Blackbaud powers social impact through purpose‑driven technology and responsible AI. Guided by our Intelligence for Good® vision we’re building a culture where innovation trust and human expertise come together to help organizations make a greater difference in the world.

Blackbaud is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation national origin physical or mental disability age or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal state or local law.

The starting base pay is $133700.00 to $173800.00. Blackbaud may pay more or less based on employee qualifications market value Company finances and other operational considerations.

Benefits Include:

• Medical dental and vision insurance

• Remote-flexible workforce

• Wellness Programs

• 401(k) program with employer match

• Flexible paid time off

• Generous Parental Leave

• Donations for Doers

• Pet insurance legal and identity protection

• Tuition reimbursement program