Director of Data Services

Position: Director of Data Services
Work Model: Remote (1 Day/Month On-Site)
Location: St Paul, MN
Term: 12 Month Contract-To-Hire

Note: Must be located in MN and able to commute on-site once a month
Top Skills: Salesforce Experience, SQL, 5+ Years Leadership experience
Preferred: Higher Education

POSITION PURPOSE (why position exists; how it helps accomplish mission of the department/division)
The purpose of this position is to monitor and direct short- and long-term technology plans aligned with the institution’s strategic plan. This position provides leadership, management, and supervision to the Data and Application Infrastructure, Systems, and Services (DASS) team within the Information Technology department and is responsible for conducting, managing and leading feasibility studies; the development, modification, maintenance, and implementation of data information systems; providing business intelligence analytics; and application configuration and development. This position ensures that the team follows proper data practices, software development methodology, and server management methodologies. This position is responsible for making certain that the DASS Team delivers superior and timely results that are secure and in alignment with departmental, team and college priorities.
PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESULTS
 

1. 1. Lead, supervise, and direct department and contract personnel, including but not limited to hiring, coaching and developing, promoting, rewarding, assigning and reviewing work, directing work, approving transfers, disciplining, suspending, discharging, and adjusting grievances to ensure that staff are skilled and available as needed, collective bargaining agreements and MnSCU policies and procedures are implemented and appropriately enforced, and projects are staffed correctly to meet deadlines and stay within budget.

1. Scope, develop, direct and project-manage short- and long-term data, applications, data integrations, and systems technology projects and plans aligned with the institution’s strategic plan.
   • Perform analysis, design, scope definition, resource allocation, support and implementation of systems and services that fulfill business requirements and adhere to college and industry standards;
   • Develop and review time and cost estimates and project plans ensuring the scope represents a

• • Ensure applications, data integrations, databases and other environments are secure and compliant with Minnesota State policies, college policies and other compliances;
  • Prepares and conducts presentations for the user community on the systems solutions and implementation plan;
• • Ensure projects are staffed correctly to meet deadlines and stay within budget.

1. Partner with campus constituencies and related IT areas in the analysis of business needs and data, systems, and software application related solutions.

• Use process re-engineering, deconstruction and software development rigor to improve operations, meet campus objectives, and identify and capitalize on strategic opportunities for campus including the utilization of new and emerging technologies;
• Perform problem identification and requirements definition;
• Designs system solutions so that the needs of the requestor are achieved and that system enhancements and modifications are achieved with minimal impact;
• Guides the system implementation so that the operational change is orderly and information access is restored with minimal disruption.
• Collaborate with Institutional Research, Analytics, and Effectiveness to provide support for data access, security and data retrieval

1. Conduct research studies, evaluation of new technology, and feasibilities studies of immerging technologies to advance cost effective and efficient technology solutions aligned with the institution’s mission.

• Consults with users to provide technical guidance and assistance in making systems-related decisions;

• Performs on-going review of operational systems to ensure that objectives continue to be met and to improve operational effectiveness.

1. Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in computer science, information technology, or related field, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience;
• Three (3) years’ related IT experience in data architecture and engineering, cloud systems and infrastructure, and database design and analysis including at least two (2) years working on large scale cloud-based projects;
• Three (3) years’ supervisory experience;
• Advanced proficiency in developing cloud architecture, strategies, and designing and managing cloud and hybrid solutions that run in Microsoft Azure, including compute, network, storage, monitoring, and security;
• Knowledge and experience in information security best practices across the technology spectrum;
• Experience managing a portfolio of IT-related projects and ensuring that project plans are created detailing deliverables and resource needs; ensuring that there is coordination among projects, compatibility with program infrastructure, maximum efficiency of resources, and project status communication with stakeholders; and ensuring that all project goals and objectives are delivered on-time, on-budget and on-schedule.

• Five (5) years’ related IT experience in data architecture and engineering, cloud systems and infrastructure, and database design and analysis including at least 2 years working on large scale cloud-based projects;
• Five (5)years supervisory experience;
• Proficient in Azure SQL, Azure Synapsis Experience, and Machine Learning Studio;
• Proficiency in at least one programing language C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python;
• Experience in higher education setting.

• Information Technology Specialist 4 - 1 FTE 
• Information Technology Specialist 3 - 3 FTEs
• Office & Administrative Specialist, Senior - .5 FTE

Internal and External Clientele and Purpose of Contact (the most significant job-related contacts)

The person in this position will regularly interact with their team to provide leadership, management, and direction. Regularly contact the IT leadership team for collaborative, strategic discussions with campus-wide impacts. Regular communication with campus unit directors, Deans, Associate Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, and President to discuss departmental and campus-wide initiatives. Provide regular status reports to Vice President, campus unit directors, and administrators to ensure expectations are met, and projects are completed on time and within budget. Periodic communication with vendors to discuss contracts and licensing. Regular collaboration with the Minnesota State System Office and other Minnesota State institutions on system-wide projects and knowledge transfer.

PROBLEM SOLVING (most difficult types of problems to resolve and consequence of error/non-resolution)
Align and prioritize personnel and technical resources to ensure available resources are appropriately positioned to meet the business needs of the college. Facilitate discussions with campus unit directors and campus administrators to ensure the strategic use of technology in support of the vision and mission of the college. Misalignment of resources or lack of discussion with campus directors and administrators may result in issues including failure to carry out the college or the division’s vision and mission, declining enrollment, and not meeting critical deadlines. Collaborate with the IT Leadership Team and IT team members to develop and implement short-term and long-term divisional goals and strategies. These collaborative efforts are essential to provide direction to IT staff and to ensure that goals, objectives, and strategies are in place that are aligned with the vision and mission of the college; without which we may not uphold our division duty to fulfill the goals and objectives the college. Ensure the DASS Team follows standard support and development processes and procedures to safeguard college data and ensure systems function properly. The person in this role will need to resolve personnel issues within their teams and will be expected to handle this independently, with the exception of unique, escalated concerns. Not following standard processes and procedures could result in loss of data or security breaches, compliance failures, and declines in enrollment and retention.