Exec Director -BI, Data Platforms, and Applied AI

Excelsior; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Excelsior University seeks an Executive Director of Data Engineering and Applied AI to lead the enterprise data strategy, analytics platforms, and AI initiatives. The role collaborates with senior leadership and the Analytics & Data Science team to deliver high-performing data services and responsible AI adoption.

The position oversees data engineering, integration, warehousing, BI reporting, and advanced analytics, driving secure, scalable data systems and governance in a complex

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, software engineering, information systems, data engineering, or related field. Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years in data engineering/BI/enterprise data management with leadership experience.
• Experience designing enterprise data systems, integrations, and analytics platforms.
• Strong data architecture, APIs, middleware, and cloud-native solutions.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the university's enterprise data strategy.
• Lead Data Engineering team for data integration, warehousing, BI, and analytics.
• Oversee secure, scalable data-as-a-service for reporting and AI workloads.
• Provide technical leadership in software and systems engineering, including APIs and data pipelines.

Skills

Leadership

Data engineering

BI

Enterprise architecture

Cloud-native solutions

APIs

DevOps

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Data Engineering, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Ellucian Banner

Salesforce

Microsoft Fabric

Job description

Exec Director -BI, Data Platforms, and Applied AI

Job Category: Information Technology

Requisition Number: EXECD002573

• Posted : August 27, 2026
• Full-Time
• Hybrid

Locations

Showing 1 location

Home Office
7 Columbia Circle West Dr
Albany, NY 12203, USA

Description

The Executive Director of Data Engineering and Applied AI is a senior IT leader responsible for designing, developing, and executing Excelsior University’s enterprise data strategy. This includes the architecture, engineering, and operation of data platforms, integration frameworks, business intelligence solutions, and applied AI capabilities—ensuring alignment with institutional goals, compliance requirements, and the University’s evolving needs.

Working in close partnership with senior leadership, key institutional stakeholders, and the Analytics & Data Science (ADS) team, the Executive Director leads the Data Engineering team in delivering integrated and high-performing data services that enable data-informed decision‑making, operational excellence, and innovation across the University.

A central focus of the role is designing, developing, and maintaining secure, scalable, and modern data and analytics systems using sound engineering methods. The Executive Director provides engineering oversight for enterprise software, data integration, and AI initiatives—ensuring the effective design, testing, and implementation of data pipelines, APIs, and analytical platforms that support institutional priorities.

Additionally, this position leads the design, development, and governance of AI‑enabled systems and applications, ensuring alignment with foundational IT infrastructure, data governance practices, and ethical AI standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the definition, engineering, and execution of the University’s enterprise data strategy, aligning data architecture, platforms, and AI capabilities with institutional goals and digital transformation initiatives.
• Design, develop, and maintain robust data and analytics systems, ensuring scalability, security, and performance through modern engineering practices.
• Oversee the Data Engineering team, responsible for enterprise data integration, warehousing, BI reporting, and advanced analytics capabilities.
• Engineer and sustain a secure, scalable data‑as‑a‑service environment to support operational reporting, advanced analytics, and AI workloads.
• Provide technical leadership in software and systems engineering, including integration architecture, API design, and data pipeline development for enterprise systems such as Banner SaaS and Salesforce.
• Oversee the full engineering lifecycle of data and analytics initiatives—from requirements analysis and system design through development, testing, deployment, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with the ADS team to support advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI model integration within the enterprise data ecosystem.
• Lead the engineering and governance of applied AI solutions, ensuring infrastructure, data readiness, and policies support responsible and effective AI adoption.
• Establish and maintain data governance frameworks that ensure data quality, security, compliance, and accessibility across institutional systems.
• Stay current with emerging trends in data engineering, BI, AI, and integration technologies to continually refine and modernize the University’s data strategy.
• Foster a collaborative, high‑performing engineering culture focused on innovation, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Data Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in data engineering, business intelligence, or enterprise data management, including 5+ years in a leadership role with system and software design oversight.
• Proven experience designing and developing enterprise data systems, integrations, and analytics platforms using modern engineering principles.
• Strong technical expertise in data architecture, APIs, middleware, and cloud‑native solutions (experience with Microsoft Fabric highly desirable).
• Experience with SaaS enterprise systems (e.g., Ellucian Banner, Salesforce) and enabling their reporting, analytics, and AI functionalities through secure integrations.
• Knowledge of applied AI/ML technologies, including embedded and standalone capabilities within enterprise data environments.
• Strong understanding of engineering best practices, including DevOps, CI/CD, version control, automated testing, and secure software development.
• Demonstrated experience implementing data governance and compliance frameworks, ideally within higher education.
• Exceptional strategic and operational leadership with the ability to bridge technical, business, and academic perspectives.
• Prior experience in higher education or a similarly complex, data‑intensive environment is highly desirable.

The hiring salary range for this position is $120,000.00 - $130,000.00. The hiring salary range above represents the University’s good faith estimate at the time of posting.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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