The University of Nebraska

Executive Director, Data and Strategic Analytics

The University of Nebraska$121K — $155K *
Omaha, NE 68104In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in social sciences, data science, statistics/mathematics, higher education, or equivalent work experience.
  • 5+ years in institutional research or analytics-related roles.
  • Strong project management skills with experience in staff management and performance oversight.
  • Advanced SQL proficiency and understanding of data management practices.
  • Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and guide the University Data and Analytics (DSA) office, establishing a forward-looking vision for data use.
  • Serve as a strategic partner to university leadership, facilitating the use of data in institutional planning.
  • Establish and oversee data governance structures to ensure integrity and compliance of institutional data.
  • Champion the integration of disparate data systems into a cohesive and accessible environment.
  • Collaborate with multiple university campuses to support data integration and consultation efforts.

Benefits

  • Partial remote/telecommute opportunity available.
  • Work hours: M-F, 8:00-5:00.
  • Involvement in high-impact institutional efforts supporting student success.
  • Opportunity to engage with university leadership and drive strategic data initiatives.
Full Job Description
Job Title
Executive Director, Data and Strategic Analytics

Job Grade
AB34S

Division
Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success

College/Dept
Systems Intelligence and Data Analytics

Department
SIDA

Requisition Number
2026-00226

FTE (full-time equivalency)
100.00

Work Schedule
M-F 8:00-5:00

Does the position provide the opportunity to work Remotely/Telecommuting?
Yes - partial remote/telecommute opportunity

Appointment Term
12- 12/12 months

Is this position essential personnel according to the inclement weather policy?
No

Pay Information
121,200 - 155,000

Pay Schedule
Annually

FLSA Designation
Exempt

Position Summary

The Executive Director, Data and Strategic Analytics (CDO) provides strategic direction to and oversight of the University's data strategy and data analysis functions and is a key member of the Vice Chancellor's Divisional Cabinet. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success, the CDO plays a critical role in enabling data-informed decision-making across academic and administrative domains.

The CDO focuses primarily on the areas of data governance, innovation, analytic, and operations. The CDO achieves these goals through the management of University Data and Strategic Analytics (DSA). The office implements new and value-added approaches to data analysis, data architecture, data management, and institutional research. The CDO works closely with university leadership and campus constituencies to identify appropriate analytic to address institutional questions and communicate results to the President and other audiences. This role involves leveraging data to drive innovation, enhance decision-making, and support student recruitment, retention, and success. The CDO will also oversee the development of a data infrastructure that will support the integration of AI technologies.

The CDO oversees DSA staff, including 2 assistant CDOs, 1 directors, 3 associate directors, an assistant director, and several analysts who: design and conduct complex analyses of the University and other pertinent external data; regularly interact with and communicate analytical outcomes to University decision-makers, including the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Deans, faculty, staff, and students; develop innovative methods for conveying information; disseminate official results to appropriate agencies/audiences.

Job Duties

Responsibility Area:
Strategic Leadership & Vision for DSA

Duties:

Lead and guide the University Data and Analytics (DSA) office. In consultation with the Vice Chancellor (IESS), establish a clear, forward-looking vision for institutional data use. Develop and continuously refine a university-wide data strategy aligned with institutional priorities and mission. Position the university to move from reactive reporting to proactive, strategic analytics that informs decision-making. Champion a culture of data-informed decision-making across all levels of the institution.

Percentage Of Time
20

Essential Function:
Yes

Responsibility Area:
Strategic Partnership

Duties:

Serve as a strategic thought partner to university leadership, facilitating the use of data in policy development and institutional planning. Direct the collection, analysis, and presentation of institutional and comparative data to support executive decision-making. Increase the capacity of key stakeholders (e.g. enrollment management, budgeting, academic leadership) to effectively use data. Support high-impact institutional efforts, including student success, operational efficiency, and return on investment analysis.

Percentage Of Time
20

Essential Function:
Yes

Responsibility Area:
Data Governance, Stewardship & Compliance

Duties:

Establish and oversee comprehensive data governance structures, policies, and standards. Ensure the integrity, consistency, and appropriate use of institutional data across systems and stakeholders. Direct the reporting of all required institutional data to federal, state, accreditation, and governing bodies, including the Board of Regents. Promote shared definitions and responsible data stewardship across academic and administrative units.

Percentage Of Time
20

Essential Function:
Yes

Responsibility Area:
Data Infrastructure, Integration & Access

Duties:

Champion the integration of data from disparate systems into a cohesive, accessible data environment. Oversee the development and enhancement of data infrastructure, including data warehousing and delivery tools. Expand access to reliable, well-defined data for campus stakeholders while maintaining appropriate controls. Partner with technical teams to ensure data systems effectively support institutional needs.

Percentage Of Time
20

Essential Function:
Yes

Responsibility Area:
Collaboration, Consultation & Institutional Impact

Duties:

Collaborate with UNO System campuses, including Chancellors, Vice Chancellors, Executive Directors, Deans, and other leadership, to support multi-campus data integration and analysis needs. Provide consultation on survey design, methodology, and analysis for campus stakeholders. Contribute data expertise to institutional priorities. Foster strong partnerships across units to align data efforts with academic and administrative goals.

Percentage Of Time
20

Essential Function:
Yes

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required Education

Master's degree in the social sciences, data science, statistics/mathematics, higher education, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Required Experience

Five or more years of work experience in institutional research or analytics-related contexts. Demonstrated experience effectively communicating data analysis to organizational leaders and in public settings. Progressively responsible project management experience. Progressively responsible experience in managing staff, including retention, coaching, and performance/discipline management. Demonstrated understanding of data management practices. Advanced knowledge of research design. Experience operating in a complex administrative information system.Demonstrated experience with SQL.Demonstrated successful experience applying data visualization tools and software (e.g.Tableau, Power BI) to facilitate user comprehension.

Required License/Certification

NA

Required Additional Qualifications:

NA

Preferred Education

Terminal degree from an accredited university in social sciences, data science, statistics/mathematics, higher education or related field from an accredited university, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Preferred Experience

Progressively responsible experience working in a higher education setting.

Preferred License/Certification

Preferred Additional Qualifications:

Compliance Requirements

Credit Check
No

Motor Vehicle Licensing Validity Check
No

Pre-employment Physical Request and Assessment
No

Drug Screen
No

About The University of Nebraska

The University of Nebraska is a public research university in the state of Nebraska in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the largest in the University of Nebraska system. The university was chartered by the legislature in 1869 as a land-grant university under the 1862 Morrill Act, two years after Nebraska's statehood into the United States. Around the turn of the 20th century, the university began to expand significantly, hiring professors from eastern schools to teach in the newly organized professional colleges while also producing groundbreaking research in agricultural sciences. The University of Nebraska is composed of four campuses: the University of Nebraska?Lincoln, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Learn more about The University of Nebraska
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