Executive Director of Data Strategy and Impact

Dept of Ed Central Operations; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Dept of Ed Central Operations in Richmond, VA seeks an Executive Director of Data Strategy and Impact to drive the department’s use of data and evidence in planning and execution. You will lead enterprise data initiatives, align strategy with priorities, and support leaders with analytical insights for decision‑making.

The role requires a strong background in data governance, strategic planning, and building data literacy across an organization.

Qualifications

• Develop and execute an agency‑wide data strategy aligned to priorities, outcomes, and decision‑making needs.
• Establish data governance, standards, policies, and processes for quality, security, accessibility, and responsible use.
• Identify how data and evidence support strategic planning, policy development, and organizational improvement.
• Translate complex data and analytics into clear information for executive and non‑technical audiences.
• Build data literacy and data‑use capabilities across the organization through coaching and professional development.
• Collaborate with technical experts on data systems, management, analytics, visualization, and integration.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access).

Responsibilities

• Support implementation of VDOE strategic plan by leading data and evidence use for priority initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a department‑wide data strategy with tracking for progress and impact.
• Set clear data priorities to inform major agency decisions and initiatives.
• Act as an internal consultant to leaders on strategic priorities and data‑driven practices.
• Provide guidance on framing questions, establishing baselines, and selecting measures.
• Lead hands‑on analytical work to translate data into actionable insights.
• Partner with technical and programmatic leaders to ensure data infrastructure supports use.
• Communicate expectations clearly and provide regular feedback and interim evaluations.

Skills

Data strategy

Data governance

Strategic planning

Executive briefing

Coaching

Education

Master’s degree in data science / related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Access

Job description

Title: Executive Director of Data Strategy and Impact

State Role Title:Education Administrator III

Hiring Range: $130,000-$158,000

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept of Ed Central Operations

Location:Richmond, Virginia

Agency Website:doe.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is recruiting for a Executive Director of Data Strategy and Impact to support the Department’s efforts to effectively use data and evidence as part of its strategic planning and implementation processes.
Working in partnership with agency leadership, the position helps advance a shared vision for how data can support the Department’s strategic priorities and contribute to improved outcomes for Virginia’s children, students, educators, and schools.
The Executive Director of Data Strategy and Impact would be expected to perform the following duties:

• Support successful implementation of VDOE strategic plan by providing enterprise leadership for how VDOE uses data and evidence to advance its strategic priorities, improve organizational performance, and inform decision‑making.
  
• Develop and maintain an agency‑wide data strategy aligned with VDOE’s strategic plan, including clear and transparent mechanisms for tracking plan progress and impact.
  
• Establish clear priorities for how data, analysis, and evidence should support major agency decisions and initiatives.
  
• Serve as an internal consultant and thought partner to leaders and teams on key strategic priorities, helping them develop the skills and practices needed to use data effectively.
  
• Provide strategic consultation to agency leaders and teams on framing questions, establishing baseline, selecting measures, interpreting evidence, and applying data to decisions for strategic plan.
  
• Provide hands‑on analytical leadership to answer high‑priority agency questions and translate complex information into actionable insights for decision‑makers.
  
• Partner with technical and programmatic leaders to ensure VDOE’s data infrastructure, tools, and analytical capabilities support strategic data use.
  
• Ensure expectations are clear, well communicated, and relate to the goals and objectives of the department and that staff receive frequent, constructive feedback, including interim evaluations as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute an agency‑wide data strategy aligned to organizational priorities, outcomes, and decision‑making needs.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of and the ability to establish effective data governance, stewardship, standards, policies, and processes that promote data quality, integrity, accessibility, security, and responsible use.
  
• Demonstrated ability to identify how data and evidence can best support strategic planning, policy development, program implementation, performance management, and organizational improvement.
  
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex data and analytical concepts into clear, concise, decision‑oriented information for executive and non‑technical audiences.
  
• Demonstrated ability to build data literacy and strategic data‑use capabilities across an organization through coaching, consultation, tools, processes, and professional development.
  
• Strong understanding of data systems, data management, analytics, visualization, data integration, and related technologies, with the ability to effectively partner with technical experts.
  
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access.

Additional Considerations

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in data science, statistics, public policy, public administration, education, information systems, computer science, economics, social sciences, business administration, or a related field or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field combined with substantial directly related experience may be considered.
  

Special Instructions

Successful candidates must pass a criminal background check.
Commonwealth of Virginia employees may have teleworking options available.
Final teleworking agreements will be reviewed and approved upon hire.
This role will require completion of a Statement of Economic Interests (SOEI), which is filed annual with the General Assembly.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process.
For assistance call: [phone], [TTY: 786-8389]
The Virginia Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.