Executive Director, Data Analytics- A00745

Mercy University; Village of Tarrytown, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy University seeks a creative data analytics leader to guide the university's efforts to cultivate a culture of data use for better student outcomes. The role blends technical analytics, BI, modeling, and data mining with strong communication to translate insights into action across the institution.

The selected candidate will lead analytics projects, supervise junior analysts, and partner with the AVP to enhance tools and services that expand the university's data capabilities and

Qualifications

• 5+ years in data analytics or BI with leadership experience.
• Ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative research.
• Experience with Tableau/Power BI and large datasets.
• Experience leading data transformation projects and data culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytics and reporting to support planning and decision-making.
• Develop dashboards and visualizations in partnership with departments.
• Oversee data governance and data integrity across platforms.
• Manage data analysts and respond to ad-hoc requests.
• Collaborate to advance analytics capabilities and data strategy.
• Build a culture of data-driven decision-making across the university.

Skills

Data analytics leadership

Communication skills

Data governance

Statistical modeling

Data mining

Education

Bachelor's in BIS/MIS/Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

SQL

Job description

Job Summary:

Mercy University seeks a creative data analytics leader for an exciting role leading the University's efforts to sustain and grow a culture of data use to support decision making that leads to increased rates of student success.
The role requires equal parts - technical expertise using data analytics, business intelligence, statistical modeling, and data mining, - communication skills to transform data into actionable information, generating useful insights in partnership with colleagues across the institution, - and leadership to identify and scope analytics projects and support junior analysts. The selected candidate will be tenacious about finding answers to questions - and coming up with the right questions - that will help to achieve better outcomes and will share Mercy's commitment to transformative experiences for the students and communities we serve.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. It in no way states or implies that the responsibilities listed are the only duties required to perform in this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position responsibilities if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.
Data Analytics & Institutional Planning

• Conduct research studies in areas related to the University’s strategic objectives and student learning outcomes, and in support of the University’s planning initiatives.
• Deliver in-depth analytics and reporting to support decision-making by and among VPs, deans, directors and other stakeholders.
• Analyze, distribute and present information for use in planning, decision-making, internal and external reporting and policy formulation at the University.
• Use longitudinal data from external and internal sources to develop analytics for initiatives and program evaluations.
• Manage data analysts and reporting staff to ensure timely reporting and delivery of ad-hoc data requests.
• Build a culture of data-supported decision-making across the University, enabling others to develop basic data proficiency to conduct independent studies and ensure accuracy.
• With the AVP AI, Data, and Institutional Strategy (Chief Data and Analytics Officer), identify tools, technologies, and services to further enhance the analytics capabilities of the University (and its individual offices and divisions) and drive the integration of these tools/systems.
• Oversee design, implementation and analysis of internal surveys.
• Develop advanced analytical and business intelligence capabilities to support the University’s expanding need for data-driven, strategic and operational decision‑making.
• Develop data dashboards and visualizations in partnership with departments and programs.
• Maintain fluency with trends in higher education to keep the University current with evolving national practices.
  Data Governance & Data Integrity
• Develop enterprise-wide, integrated data governance program designed to optimize the University’s use of data and information assets.
• Collaborate with Information Technology team to implement security measures to ensure user access is appropriate.
• Collaborate with stakeholders in the development of a standardized approach for reporting University metrics. Ensure that process is documented.
• Ensure data integrity across applicable platforms and take efforts to correct erroneous data.
• Develop and improve existing processes and make suggestions to streamline through the automation and documentation of tasks.
• Maintain fluency with trends in higher education regarding collection, analysis, and reporting practices to keep the University current with evolving national practices.
• General Management
• With the Director of Institutional Reporting & Compliance, provide strategic direction and oversight for the Office of Institutional Research.
• Develop and advance a strong partnership network among deans, directors and other stakeholders, as well as the assessment offices.

Desired Characteristics:

• Disciplined, structured and data-driven approach to decision-making and problem solving with a sharp focus on metrics, outcomes and results
• Action-oriented, collaborative, adaptable and innovative approach to work
• Demonstrated understanding of data architecture, data management and the
  development of data governance
• Ability to synthesize and communicate complex concepts to a broad spectrum of stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to lead and cultivate a proactive, inclusive, results-oriented work environment
• High level of integrity, accountability and superior judgement

Core Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5-years' experience of progressively responsible experience in data analytics or business intelligence, data analysis, program evaluation, institutional research, or related research practices, with preference for a candidate with higher education experience. At least 1-2 years in a leadership role in data or analytics.
• Proficiency with research design, statistical procedures and analysis. Ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative research, including design, data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Proficiency with data visualization software like Tableau. Power BI, etc.
• Experience working with large databases, including extracting, evaluating and manipulating data for reporting and analytical purposes using query tools and/or programming language (e.g., SQL). Use of higher education dataset and tools such as IPEDS and the National Student Clearinghouse.
• Experience with leading an enterprise data transformation project and/or with data culture transformation.

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems, Management Information Systems, Engineering, Management, or related field.
• Master's preferred.