Company Name
Ernst & Young
Search Job Title
Business Intelligence Technical Lead
Client Profile
Ernst & Young (EY) is a global professional services organization operating at enterprise scale, with complex internal stakeholders spanning regions, functions, and delivery teams.
Role Objectives & Challenges
The Business Intelligence Technical Lead role was established to provide hands-on technical leadership while managing and coordinating globally distributed teams across the United States and India. The position required deep expertise in the Microsoft Business Intelligence stack, combined with the ability to lead senior technical contributors, partner across multiple technology functions, and engage effectively with global executive stakeholders.
One of the primary challenges in the search was identifying a candidate who possessed both strong technical depth and the leadership maturity required for a role of this caliber. Many candidates demonstrated advanced technical skills but lacked experience leading globally distributed teams. Others presented themselves as seasoned leaders and project managers but did not have the technical proficiency necessary to operate credibly at the required level.
An additional constraint was geographic. The selected candidate needed to be based in Alpharetta, Georgia, to support the in-person buildout and long-term growth of the new EY Technology Hub. This requirement further narrowed an already competitive talent pool and increased the complexity of the search.
Our Approach to Solve the Search
The search process emphasized rigorous technical and leadership vetting to separate surface-level qualifications from proven capability. A broad range of candidates were evaluated, with particular focus on distinguishing between technically strong individual contributors, experienced leaders without sufficient technical depth, and those who demonstrated the right balance of both.
Deep technical interviews were used to validate hands-on experience with the Microsoft Business Intelligence stack, while behavioral and situational discussions assessed candidates’ ability to lead globally distributed teams and collaborate effectively across cultures and time zones. The process required careful evaluation of leadership readiness, communication style, and the ability to operate within EY’s highly matrixed, stakeholder-driven environment.
Through this approach, the candidate pool was progressively narrowed to a short list of four highly qualified individuals who met the full spectrum of technical, leadership, and cultural expectations required for success at EY.
The Hire & Results
The selected candidate emerged as the strongest overall fit, bringing a balanced combination of technical expertise, team leadership experience, and global cultural competence. She was local to the Alpharetta area and at an ideal stage in her career to grow within EY’s technology ecosystem.
Following her hire, the Business Intelligence Technical Lead was positioned to support the continued expansion of the Alpharetta Technology Hub, lead globally distributed BI teams, and contribute to the broader advancement of EY’s data and analytics capabilities across the organization.
