Associate Director of Data Systems

Title: Associate Director of Data Systems

Official Title: Associate Director BHE

Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place

Job: Education

Agency: Department of Higher Education

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day

Number of Openings: 1

Salary: 95,000.00 - 98,000.00 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Ferdousi Faruque 

Bargaining Unit: NUP-Non-Unit Professionals (HiEd)

Confidential: No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes

Job Description:

The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.

The Massachusetts Public Higher Education System

The Massachusetts System of Public Higher Education ("System") enrolls approximately 260,000 students in credit-bearing programs annually. The System consists of 15 community colleges, 9 state universities and 5 University of Massachusetts ("UMass") campuses. The Board of Higher Education (BHE) has coordination and oversight responsibilities for the entire System, and the BHE together with each respective Board of Trustees, expects all students, faculty, and staff to be held to exacting standards in the performance of their roles and responsibilities.

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education ("Board" or "BHE") is the Commonwealth's higher education authority with coordinating and regulatory responsibility for all public and private higher education institutions operating in the Commonwealth that are authorized to grant degrees. The BHE is staffed by the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which is run by a Commissioner who serves as the executive and administrative head of the department. Together, the BHE and DHE are the leading voice and advocate for postsecondary education in the Commonwealth.

In addition, the BHE and DHE's authority includes administering state financial aid and federal grant programs; managing and responding to consumer complaints; conducting financial assessments of institutions; managing employee relations and benefits for public higher education employees; managing collective bargaining contracts with state university and community colleges employees; and approving degree-granting authority for all public and most private higher education institutions operating within the Commonwealth. Currently, there are 80 private institutions of higher education operating in the Commonwealth and authorized to grant degrees.

The BHE is staffed by its executive agency, the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which is run by Commissioner Ortega. The Department of Higher Education is committed to the Values of Equity, Accountability, Community, Empowerment, Intentionality, and Teamwork, and seeks applicants who value the full diversity of Massachusetts students and who share a sensitivity to and understanding of the academic, socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the populations served. We employ a hybrid hoteling work model with a fixed weekly team day schedule.

Position Overview

The Associate Director of Data Systems plays a crucial role in supporting DHE's vision for modern data collection and analytics. This position is responsible for coordinating year-round data collection efforts with Massachusetts higher education institutions, ensuring the integrity and quality of the data collected. The Associate Director collaborates with various stakeholders, including vendors, DHE, EOE, and campus staff, to enhance and expand the data collection system. They manage and maintain online applications, perform data quality analyses, and support data integration and manipulation to meet DHE's reporting and analytic needs. As the state IPEDS coordinator and State Security Officer, the Senior Director ensures compliance with relevant regulations and standards, fostering a secure and efficient data environment.

Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions

• Execute DHE's vision for modern data collection
• Manage year-round data collection efforts with Massachusetts higher education institutions (primarily public), including Annual, Term Enrollment, Post-Term, Programs, Courses, Degrees, ComCom, STEM Starter, SUCCESS, and Financial Aid
• Collaborate with vendors and stakeholders in DHE, EOE, and campuses on efforts to modernize, enhance, and expand the data collection system
• Maintain online applications, including Fiscal, EER, UMass Annual, CC Admissions, and OER Report
• Act as the primary HEIRS liaison with campus staff (IR and IT) regarding file submission and deadlines
• Maintain all HEIRS data dictionaries
• Perform data quality analysis on data submissions
• Manage data cleaning/auditing of the HEIRS data
• Assist in the maintenance of the HEIRS website, including updates to data verification and data reporting
• Integrate and manipulate data to support DHE reporting and analytic needs
• Integrate, extract, and manipulate data from disparate internal and external data sources, including HEIRS, using a variety of data management and analysis tools (e.g., SQL, Excel, Tableau)
• Write and edit SQL statements with table joins to multiple databases
• Perform data extractions and analysis for numerous recurring and ad-hoc data requests, presentations or projects
• Extract IPEDS data to be loaded into HEIRS for DHE analytic needs
• Manage user accounts and provide user support and training
• Create and maintain user accounts on all systems, including ensuring that all data system users complete the annual user agreement
• Serve as DHE's State Security Officer, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards
• Function as the primary help desk point person for all HEIRS questions related to file submissions
• Conduct one-on-one training sessions for HEIRS users
• Serve as the state IPEDS coordinator
• Prepare responses to internal and external data requests as needed.

Competencies/Skills and Abilities

• Aspires to lead by and practice the DHE Values and Behaviors and commits to embody them through continued learning and personal growth.
• Experience working with diverse teams and leveraging their unique perspectives to achieve positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in creating an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued
• Promotes a collaborative workplace climate.

Technical Skills

• Advanced skills in data management and analysis tools (e.g., SQL, Excel, Tableau)
• Proficiency in database design, maintenance, and SQL programming
• Experience with data integration from multiple sources and systems
• Knowledge of data quality assurance and auditing techniques

Project Management

• Strong project management skills to oversee data collection and system enhancement projects
• Ability to define project objectives, deliverables, and timelines in collaboration with stakeholders
• Capability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects concurrently

Analytical and Problem-Solving

• Strong analytical skills to perform data quality analyses and troubleshoot complex data issues
• Ability to extract, manipulate, and analyze data to support reporting and decision-making
• Experience in developing and maintaining data sets and dashboards for self-service analytics

Communication and Collaboration

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to present technical information to non-technical stakeholders effectively
• Strong collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams, vendors, and external partners
• Experience in providing technical support and training to users

Leadership and Mentorship

• Capability to provide technical leadership and guidance to junior team members
• Ability to support and mentor colleagues in best practices for data management and analysis
• Experience in leading user group meetings and technical presentations

Compliance and Security

• Knowledge of data protection regulations and standards
• Experience as a State Security Officer, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards
• Ability to manage user accounts and ensure data system users complete annual agreements

Attention to Detail

• Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy and quality in data management
• Ability to maintain comprehensive documentation and standard operating procedures
• Experience in performing detailed data cleaning and auditing tasks

Adaptability and Continuous Learning

• Willingness to stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies
• Ability to incorporate new tools and techniques into data management processes
• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development

Customer Service

• Strong customer service orientation to support internal and external users
• Ability to manage and prioritize incoming data requests and inquiries
• Commitment to providing high-quality user support and troubleshooting

Minimum Entrance Requirements

Applicants must have at least:

• Eight years of experience in data collection administration
• At least two years must have been in a managerial capacity.

Substitutions:

• A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
• A bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
• A graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Reporting and Location

• One Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts
• In-state hybrid work

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.