Director of Data Strategy

ReadyCT; Clay Arsenal (CT); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

ReadyCT is seeking a dynamic Director of Data Strategy to own our Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, data architecture, and analytics roadmap. You will lead data governance, reporting, and training while guiding a small team and coordinating with funders and programs.

The role requires 3+ years in Salesforce leadership, data modeling, and staff development, plus strong communication skills and a nonprofit or grant-funded background. Hartford-based with occasional travel across CT.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in data analytics, computer science, information systems, or related field required; advanced degree and/or relevant certifications (e.g., Salesforce Administrator/Developer) preferred.
• 3+ years of progressive experience in Salesforce administration and development (Nonprofit Cloud preferred), data strategy, or analytics leadership, including data modeling, Flow Builder, Apex, Lightning pages, and security and permissions.
• 2+ years of direct supervisory experience, including hiring, performance management, and developing technical staff.
• Preferred experience in Connecticut-based nonprofits or organizations with heavy braided/blended grant-funded structures.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and precision.
• Experience administering a work-management platform such as Jira (preferred), Asana, or Monday.com. A portfolio of dashboards and reporting products you've built end-to-end, from requirements-gathering through adoption by non-technical users.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences, trust across teams, and design and facilitate staff training.
• Experience with data governance, change management, and driving adoption of new systems and processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead Salesforce Administration & Development for ReadyCT's Nonprofit Cloud instance and related data programs.
• Architect data models in Salesforce to track programs, participants, and interactions across the organization.
• Design and build workflows to improve data integrity and user experience, including flows, approvals, and validation rules.
• Administer user access and security per best practices.
• Maintain sandbox development and production deployments with version control and DevOps discipline.
• Supervise data team, set priorities, and manage consultants and vendors.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and KPI tracking tools for leadership to guide decisions.
• Translate data findings into actionable insights for internal and external stakeholders.
• Build and maintain ETL pipelines between Salesforce and external systems.
• Lead data strategy planning with logic models linking goals, activities, outcomes, indicators.
• Serve as Jira administrator, configuring projects, workflows, and automations for data initiatives.
• Design processes for gathering user feedback, measure adoption, and validate training effectiveness.
• Create a training hub with docs and videos and regularly train staff on Salesforce and reporting tools.
• Prepare regular internal communications on system updates and process changes.
• Establish and maintain data standards and ownership across the organization.
• Ensure data privacy and FERPA compliance for student and partner data.
• Drive data quality monitoring, audits, and remediation with program teams.
• Develop data-sharing agreements with districts and partners.

Skills

Salesforce Admin

Data Architecture

Analytics Leadership

Staff Training

Data Governance

Team Leadership

Jira Admin

Education

Bachelor's in data analytics / CS / related

Tools

Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud

Jira

Asana

Monday.com

Job description

Location: 350 Church Street, 10th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103

Salary Range: $110k+ (commensurate with experience)

ReadyCT is seeking a dynamic, multi-talented director of data strategy to serve as a cornerstone of our leadership team. You'll own the ReadyCT CRM built on Salesforce and the data infrastructure, analytics, reporting, and data governance that keep our mission-driven work supported by reliable systems and trustworthy data.

WHO WE ARE:

ReadyCT is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing academic excellence and career-connected learning for all Connecticut public school students. We design and deliver innovative career readiness programs that intentionally bridge the gap between K-12 education and the employers who will one day welcome graduates into the workforce.

As an affiliate of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), ReadyCT works closely with business leaders to expand real-world opportunities for students and strengthen Connecticut’s future workforce.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

You'll ensure ReadyCT's data integrity, systems reliability, analytical rigor, and the long-term sustainability of its data infrastructure. That means overseeing every part of the data system - Salesforce administration and development, data architecture, reporting and analytics, staff training, data governance, and team leadership - and building a culture where decisions are made with evidence. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants their work to contribute to statewide, mission-driven impact.

You'll supervise a small team and serve as the organization's main point of contact for the data system. You are not a siloed worker. You're energized by a multifaceted role and willing to pivot from a workflow deployment to a staff training to a funder data request at a moment's notice.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO THE ROLE:

• Bachelor's degree in data analytics, computer science, information systems, or related field required; advanced degree and/or relevant certifications (e.g., Salesforce Administrator/Developer) preferred.
• 3+ years of progressive experience in Salesforce administration and development (Nonprofit Cloud preferred), data strategy, or analytics leadership, including data modeling, Flow Builder, Apex, Lightning pages, and security and permissions.
• 2+ years of direct supervisory experience, including hiring, performance management, and developing technical staff.
• Preferred experience in Connecticut-based nonprofits or organizations with heavy braided/blended grant-funded structures.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and precision.
• Experience administering a work-management platform such as Jira (preferred), Asana, or Monday.com. A portfolio of dashboards and reporting products you've built end-to-end, from requirements-gathering through adoption by non-technical users.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences, trust across teams, and design and facilitate staff training.
• Experience with data governance, change management, and driving adoption of new systems and processes.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel periodically across Connecticut for meetings and events.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational needs.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of this role as described below.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Data System Administration & Development

• Serve as lead administrator, developer, and system owner of ReadyCT's Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud instance, supporting a wide range of programs and functions - including student-facing initiatives that track student and work-based learning engagement and outcomes, grant management, events, etc.
• Architect program data models in Salesforce using standard and custom objects, capable of tracking a wide variety of programs, participants, and interactions across the organization.
• Design and build the workflows that improve data integrity and make systems easier to use, including record-triggered and screen flows, approval processes, validation rules, etc.
• Administer user access and permissions in accordance with Salesforce security best practices.
• Maintain a structured, sandbox-based development and testing workflow with version control and managed production deployments, applying software development best practices across Salesforce and data pipeline work.
• Supervise and develop the data team, setting priorities and providing the direction and feedback needed to support their growth and performance.
• Manage consultant, vendor, and technical support relationships related to data projects.

Data, Analytics & Reporting

• Develop dashboards, reports, and key performance indicator (KPI) tracking tools for program teams and leadership to guide programmatic and operational decisions.
• Present findings to internal and external stakeholders, translating data into clear, actionable insight in both written and presentation formats.
• Build and maintain ETL pipelines that move data between Salesforce and external systems as needed.
• Align data systems and reporting with ReadyCT's strategic plan and KPIs.
• Lead organization-wide data strategy planning, using logic models to link program and organizational goals, activities, outcomes, and indicators - building a shared understanding of what ReadyCT measures and why, and strengthening the organization's communication of its impact.
• Serve as Jira administrator for the organization, configuring projects, workflows, intake forms, and automations that track priorities and deadlines - for data team deliverables and organization-wide initiatives alike.
• Design and lead structured processes for gathering feedback from system users, including program teams and leadership, to improve system navigation, ensure reports are actionable, and validate training effectiveness; collect and analyze user feedback data to measure adoption and the impact of changes over time.
• Develop and maintain a training hub (documentation, video walkthroughs, process maps, best practices) and regularly facilitate staff training on Salesforce, reporting tools, and new processes to drive adoption.
• Develop and deliver regular internal communications on system updates, releases, and process changes to keep staff current and reduce support load.
• Translate data into visualizations and impact narratives for funder applications and reports, partnering with development and program teams.

Data Governance & Documentation

• Establish and maintain organization-wide data standards - definitions, naming conventions, required fields, and record-creation rules - so the same term means the same thing across programs, teams, and funders.
• Define data ownership and stewardship across the organization, clarifying who is responsible for entering, maintaining, and approving each type of record.
• Proactively identify and close data and systems gaps - a reporting challenge, a new integration, a new organizational initiative - researching options and leading implementation of solutions that improve processes across the organization.
• Establish routine data quality monitoring and audits across student and program records, identifying gaps and errors proactively and driving remediation with program teams. Proactively identify and close data and systems gaps.
• Draft, review, and maintain data-sharing agreements with districts and partners, defining what data is shared, for what purpose, and under what protections.
• Administer data privacy, security, and retention practices for student and partner data, ensuring compliance with FERPA, Connecticut student data privacy requirements, and the terms of ReadyCT's data-sharing agreements with districts and partners.
• Convene program and leadership stakeholders on a regular cadence to review data standards, resolve definitional questions, and approve changes to shared metrics.

This job description is intended to be a comprehensive overview of the director of data strategy. All ReadyCT team members are charged with other duties, as assigned.

WHY JOIN READYCT:

ReadyCT offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a lasting impact on youth-centric workforce development across Connecticut.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences who share our commitment to equity and to expanding career-connected learning opportunities for every student.

ReadyCT is an equal opportunity employer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Beyond core professional duties, this role requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while using computer technology, move about the office as needed, and handle routine office materials and equipment. The position also requires regular visual review of digital data and printed documents, along with the ability to work effectively in a standard office environment.
• Individuals must be able to lift and carry office supplies and materials weighing up to 20 lbs. The work environment is typically indoors and may involve fluorescent or LED lighting and moderate shared-office noise.