Executive Director of Enterprise Data

Executive Director of Enterprise Data
National Louis University - Chicago, IL
Overview:
Who We Are:

National Louis is a 135+ year old university that has been grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity from its inception. As an institution, we believe in providing access to educational opportunity and that education is our greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community that is committed to continuous improvement and superior student service. We believe that through education we are able to empower change and build healthy communities. Our hard-working community is based on collaboration and respect for all team members and students.

What We Offer:

At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Benefits.

What You Will Do:

National Louis University (NLU) is seeking a dynamic and innovative Executive Director of Enterprise Data to continue the development and implementation of its robust data infrastructure, data management, and data analytics. For over a decade, NLU has been committed to building an Oracle and Power BI-based data infrastructure that supports our business strategies, operational effectiveness, and student outcome success.

In this newly created position, reporting directly to the Chief Data Officer, the Executive Director of Enterprise Data will play a pivotal role in leading and expanding NLU’s investment in data. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who possesses the ability to not only create data products but also to cultivate and grow a team of dedicated data professionals. This role is central to enhancing NLU’s data-driven decision-making capabilities, increasing operational efficiencies in data management, and developing forward-thinking AI data strategies.

The Executive Director of Enterprise Data at NLU will be responsible for driving the strategic vision for data management and analytics across the university. This involves innovating and implementing advanced data solutions that augment NLU's decision-making processes and ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and security of the university's data infrastructure. The role also demands a strong focus on operational excellence, involving spearheading initiatives that boost data operational efficiencies and collaborating with various departments to weave data insights seamlessly into organizational operations.

Moreover, this position entails building, leading, and nurturing a skilled team of data professionals. The successful candidate will foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the team, encouraging the development of new ideas and approaches to data management and analysis.

As the Executive Director of Enterprise Data, the selected candidate will be instrumental in shaping the future of data utilization at NLU. This role requires a balance of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership skills, and is key to transforming NLU into a more data-informed institution, thereby contributing significantly to the university's success and growth.

Essential Responsibilities:
Data Warehousing and Infrastructure Management: Oversee the development and maintenance of NLU's comprehensive data lake. Manage the creation and enhancement of reporting and analytic data assets, encompassing a range of ETL processes, data integrations, Oracle data objects, and Power BI measures. Ensure the integrity and longevity of NLU’s foundational data infrastructure.
Data Management and Advanced Analytics: Lead the management of data across the university, prioritizing data accuracy, privacy, and security. Spearhead the development of advanced data analytic capabilities, including the utilization of AI tools. Implement and maintain robust data governance practices and systems to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
Analytics and Reporting: Direct the development of reporting and analytics data products. Maintain and expand data models and reporting tools in Oracle, Power BI, and other platforms, providing actionable insights to support decision-making.
Data Governance and Strategic Development: Develop and implement a comprehensive data and analytics strategy aligned with NLU’s goals and objectives. Manage the growth of NLU’s data documentation and university-wide data definitions.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Project Management: Collaborate closely with various university departments and stakeholders to understand and meet their data needs. Lead cross-functional projects to produce data products that enhance operational efficiency and provide analytical insights.
Technology Management and Integration: Act as the system expert and administrator for data software tools and platforms, including MS Power BI and Jitterbit (ETL). Interface with the IT department to evaluate and implement new data and AI technologies to enhance NLU's data management and analytic capabilities.
Team Leadership and Management: Build, lead, and inspire a diverse team of data professionals, including data analysts, data managers, and analytic directors. Oversee talent recruitment, training, and performance management to foster a high-performing team.
Training and Organizational Development: Promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the data team and across the university.
Industry Awareness: Stay informed about the latest trends and technologies in data analytics and implement innovative solutions to advance the university's data capabilities.
Promotion of Institutional Data Literacy: Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, articulating the performance and impact of data initiatives and fostering a data-informed culture within the university.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree, required ideally in Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Analytics or related field.
At least 5 years of experience in data warehousing, infrastructure management, data governance, and strategic development
Minimum of 5 years of experience in technology and team management, including leadership role(s) managing data analysts, preferably in higher education
Minimum of 3 years working with advanced SQL scripting and database management, Power or similar tool for data visualization and reporting, and ETL processes and integrations
At least 3 years of experience in project management and cross-departmental collaboration
Minimum of 3 years experience working with data management and advanced analytics
At least one year of experience utilizing AI in data analytics
Project Management - Manages each stage of a project to ensure that commitments are met in a manner that is timely and within budget. Clearly defines roles and responsibilities, determines necessary resources, and monitors project performance through appropriate systems and procedures.
Analytical Thinking - Breaks down problems and issues into sub-components and then assesses the costs, benefits and risks of various options prior to selecting a particular approach.
Change Management - Proactively assesses the need for change, seeing to it that appropriate resources are available to facilitate changes, considers factors that will support or hinder change initiatives, enthusiastically promotes change in terms of the the expected benefits, as well as removing or lowering the impact of potential obstacles.
Manages Multiple Priorities - Handles multiple assignments and priorities yet still fulfills all commitments. Readily accepts new responsibilities and adapts well to changes in procedures. Gives appropriate priorities to various work demands.
Building Team Environment/Team Orientation - Establishes an environment that creates incentives for, and eliminates barriers to, a team environment. For example, articulates common goals, communicates how individual roles contribute to team success, provides both clear direction and sufficient resources while removing or reducing obstacles to team success.

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.