Director of Data and Analytics - Information Technology

This position is a pivotal leader responsible for driving the organization's data strategy initiatives. This role encompasses developing a skilled team, implementing advanced analytics techniques, and aligning data initiatives with strategic business objectives. This position ensures data governance and quality, integrates innovative technologies, and promotes a culture of data-informed decision-making. Effective communication with non-technical stakeholders, identification and development of key performance indicators, and a commitment to continuous improvement are crucial aspects. Additionally, this role cultivates talent and delivers projects on time while staying abreast of technology trends and upholding ethical data practices.
Salary & Benefits: Minimum starting salary of $125,000, commensurate with experience.
Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Primary Duties:

1. Data & Analytics Strategy: Develop and lead the organization’s data and analytics strategy, ensuring data initiatives align with enterprise objectives. Set the overarching frameworks and standards for data governance and quality.

2. Analytics & Decision Support: Lead the delivery of reporting, dashboards, and advanced analytics that inform organizational decision-making, ensuring stakeholders have timely, accurate, and accessible insights.

3. Data Architecture & Technology: In collaboration with Enterprise Architecture, lead data architecture design and evaluate, recommend, and implement technologies that support data and analytics goals. Manage vendor relationships to maximize data asset value and drive transformation.

4. Portfolio Management: Oversee a portfolio of complex, enterprise-level data initiatives, manage interdependencies, optimize resource allocation, and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

5. Data Governance & Stewardship: Lead the organization’s data governance program, including chairing the Data Governance/Advisory Committee to guide decision-making and continuous improvement. Establish data ownership and stewardship roles that ensure accountability for data integrity, quality, and lineage, and maintain a unified data dictionary and business glossary.

6. Data Classification & Protection: Apply the data classification framework and retention schedules established by Information Security and General Counsel across the organization’s data systems, including sensitivity labeling in Microsoft Purview. Partner with Information Security to define and refine data loss prevention (DLP) policies that use these classifications to control how sensitive data is stored, shared, and moved.

7. AI Data Readiness: Ensure the organization’s data is prepared to support AI initiatives, including data quality, documentation, lineage, and appropriate access. Support the ethical development and use of machine learning models in analytics by ensuring the data behind them is well understood, representative, and responsibly sourced.

8. Compliance & Auditing: Develop audit programs and compliance reporting to ensure data practices meet regulatory requirements applicable to the University, including FERPA, GLBA, and HIPAA where applicable. Partner with General Counsel, Information Security, and compliance offices to align data governance policies with privacy and regulatory obligations.

9. Team Leadership & Data Literacy: Lead, develop, and mentor the data and analytics team. Build data literacy and training programs that equip stakeholders across the organization to use data tools and practices responsibly.

10. Other Duties: Performs other duties as required or assigned by leadership.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas: Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Eight to ten (8-10) years of progressively increasing responsibilities in one or more of the following related fields below.

Data Governance through Data Democratization

• Possesses the ability to create, modify, and maintain sustainable and adaptable data governance processes that leverage the latest technologies while maximizing resources.
• Proficient in data profiling, classification, and implementing security measures to safeguard sensitive data.
• Demonstrates expertise in creating and managing metadata, maintaining a centralized data catalog, and ensuring comprehensive data context.
• Applies data governance frameworks, knowledge of compliance regulations, and proficiency in enforcing data policies and standards.
• Proficient in data technologies including structured data, unstructured data, data connectivity, data repositories, data query languages, and cloud optimization technologies focused on data.

Leadership, Management, and Administration

• Exhibits proficiency in project management, including budgeting, cost estimation, task prioritization, advanced project tracking, configuration management, and decision-making. 
• Displays robust analytical and debugging skills, leverages vendor service agreements, and demonstrates technical proficiency in software engineering, solutions design, and enterprise-wide administration.
• Exhibits advanced leadership skills, specializing in conflict resolution, delegation, people management, and creating a supportive work environment.
• Showcases sophisticated organizational prowess, encompassing high-level multitasking, operational proficiency, and strategic planning. Proven ability to meet deadlines is coupled with an unwavering commitment to quality and a results-oriented focus.
• Possesses excellent oral and written communication skills, excelling in building trust and relationships, and displaying tact and diplomacy in stakeholder collaboration.
• Exhibits expertise in tools, processes, and technology, possessing a deep understanding of the tools used, and effectively contributes to aligning technology with the University's strategic objectives.
• Possesses advanced user training skills, emphasizing user collaboration, and supports team members through effective mentoring and guidance.
• Exhibits advanced problem-solving abilities, centered on providing practical solutions, along with proficiency in program deliverables and moderate to advanced programming skills.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Master’s degree in one (1) of the following areas: Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience in Higher Education administrative functions, including: 
  • Experience in delivering value from data by enabling and advancing administrative and academic objectives, ensuring student data privacy and effective institutional reporting, while adhering to higher education standards and FERPA compliance
  • Strong technical background in higher education enterprise solutions and technologies. A commitment to continuous learning and adaptability in integrating innovative data solutions to enhance student engagement, curriculum development, and academic performance analysis.
  • Fabric/Dataflow Gen 2 & OneLake or similar cloud technologies, including Synapse Studio, SQL, Serverless, and Apache Spark Pools, Notebooks, Data Factory, Key Vault, Linked Services, Integration Pipelines, and Purview
  • Experience contributing to AI strategy, governance, or adoption initiatives, including evaluation of generative AI platforms (e.g., frontier LLMs); Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Business Administration, and their application in higher education administrative or academic contexts

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Some travel may be required.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future. 

Application Deadline: Application review begins November 30, 2026. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.