Director of Data Management

The Director of Data Management is responsible for overseeing the University's enterprise data environment. This role serves as the primary partner from IT for the implementation of the University wide data governance structure. This role will ensure that data is managed as a strategic asset, enabling the organization to make data-driven decisions and achieve its business objectives.

Enterprise Data Management:

• Development and Maintenance: Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of the enterprise data fabric, ensuring it meets the organization's data storage, movement and retrieval needs.
• Data Accessibility: Ensure data within the data fabric is easily accessible to authorized users and applications, supporting various analytical and operational use cases.
• Data Stewardship: Ensure that data access is integration with appropriate data governance approvals.
• Data Quality and Security: Implement measures to maintain high data quality and security within the data fabric, including data validation, cleansing, and encryption.

Data Integration:

• Integration Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive data integration strategy that aligns with the organization's goals and objectives.
• API Catalog: Develop and implement a University wide API catalog that provides secure integration to the large number of 3rd party products leveraged by the University.
• ETL Processes: Oversee the design and implementation of Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes to integrate data from multiple sources into the data lake and other data repositories.
• Data Consistency: Ensure data consistency and integrity in alignment with data definitions and rules from data governance across different systems and platforms through effective data integration practices.

Data Architecture and Design:

• Architectural Standards: Establish and enforce data architecture standards and best practices to ensure a scalable, efficient, and flexible data environment.
• Data Modeling: Lead data modeling efforts to create logical and physical data models that support business requirements and analytics needs.
• Technology Evaluation: Evaluate and recommend data management technologies and tools that align with the organization's data architecture and design principles.
• Vendor Management: Manage any contract or vendor resources involved in the development of data resources.

Database Administration:

• Performance Tuning: Oversee database performance tuning activities to ensure optimal performance and responsiveness of database systems.
• Backup and Recovery: Working with the Sr. Director for Infrastructure & Operations, implement robust backup and recovery procedures to protect data from loss or corruption.
• Security Management: Ensure database security by implementing access controls, encryption, and other security measures to protect sensitive data.

Data Governance Implementation:

• Policy Development: Collaborate with the University's Analytics and Institutional Reporting unit to develop and implement data governance policies and procedures that ensure data quality, compliance, and security.
• Compliance Monitoring: Monitor compliance with data governance policies and regulatory requirements, addressing any issues or gaps as needed.

Platform Management:

• Platform Selection: Evaluate and select data management platforms that meet the organization's needs for scalability, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
  Platform Optimization: Continuously optimize data management platforms to ensure they support evolving business requirements and technological advancements.
• Vendor Management: Manage relationships with platform vendors and service providers, ensuring they deliver high-quality products and services.

Team Leadership:

• Team Development: Build and lead a high-performing team of data professionals, providing mentorship, training, and career development opportunities.
• Collaboration: Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture that encourages knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Performance Management: Set performance goals and conduct regular performance reviews to ensure team members meet or exceed expectations.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Partner Alignment: Work closely with campus leaders to understand their data needs and ensure data initiatives align with university objectives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with IT, AIR, and other departments to deliver integrated data solutions.
• Communication: Communicate data management strategies, progress, and outcomes to partners at all levels of the university.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Data Science, or a related field; Masters degree preferred.
• 5-7+ years of experience in data management, with a focus on data architecture, data integration, and database administration.
• Proven experience in leading data governance initiatives and managing enterprise data lakes.
• Strong understanding of data management platforms and technologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to think strategically and drive data initiatives that align with business objectives.
• Experience in University environments is a plus

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven leadership experience in IT Organizations, leading individuals, teams, projects and day to day improvement functions.
• Significant Experience within information technology, encompassing strategic planning, complex organizational structures, demonstrated resource management, project planning, budgeting, vendor relations, risk management, and process transformation.
• Demonstrated experience managing large scale on-premise and cloud based data services in support of strategic plans.
• Experience developing long term roadmaps and objectives to drive organizational direction and priorities.
• Ability to professionally articulate the IT vision, goals, and strategy while implementing proactive change in support of strategic goals.
• Experience facilitating Strategic and tactical planning exercises both internal and external to IT.
• Strong Analytic skills
• Demonstrated disposition and commitment to collaborate with superb listening and influencing skills. Ability to cultivate trust and credibility with colleagues, including external constituents.
• Good understanding of advanced technical components and system interactions
• Expert proficiency in Business case, functional and technical requirement documentation
• Resource planning & management in a direct reporting and matrixed environment

Soft Skills

• Strong customer relationship management
  * Strong commitment to the mission of Creighton University
  * Skilled at giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  * Ability to communicate effectively and frequently both verbally and in writing.
  * Ability to manage and resolve conflicts.
  * Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  * Ability to influence multiple stakeholders without direct authority.
  * Business acumen coupled with technical knowledge.
  * Strong research skills with attention to detail
  * Ability to conduct cost/benefit analysis and business case development.
  * Must be able to work independently and proactively.
  * Excellent organizational, analytical, and independent problem-solving skills
  * Demonstrated understanding of client relationship management, process mapping and improvement, project management, and production support
  * Proven ability to provide business analysis for large scope project teams to meet customer expectations.
  * Demonstrated understanding of business analyst tools and techniques; demonstrated proficiency using MS Office and Visio tools