7+ years leading data and analytics, BI, or data engineering teams within 12+ years of IT and business leadership.
Hands-on experience with data and analytics prior to leadership roles.
Proven ability to achieve consensus among business leaders on data governance.
Familiarity with modern cloud data platforms, preferably Microsoft Fabric.
5+ years of global experience with regulations like GDPR and data sovereignty.
Fluency in AI concepts to guide teams and communicate with business leaders.
Experience managing budgets and vendor negotiations.
Public company experience is a plus; D365 experience is also beneficial.
Bachelor's degree in business, computer science, information systems, data science, or related field; master's or MBA is a plus.
Responsibilities
Champion data governance by uniting finance, sales, marketing, and operations leaders.
Lead and coach the data team, transitioning from reactive ticket handling to proactive project management.
Develop a governed Microsoft Fabric platform with built-in security and definitions for safe report and AI agent creation.
Create a 3-5 year data and analytics strategy aligned with business priorities.
Manage the budget, negotiate with vendors, and control cloud costs while fostering stakeholder relationships.
Oversee governance and compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and evolving data sovereignty regulations.
Benefits
Hybrid work environment in San Diego, CA.
Autonomy in role with support from leadership.
Opportunity to shape a new global data strategy.
Collaboration with a capable team across the US and UK.
Potential for quick wins and visible impact in the first year.
Full Job Description
Overview
San Diego, CA (Hybrid)
Must be able to work in the US without current or future sponsorship
Why this role exists
We recently brought our regional teams together into one global organization. Now we want to treat data the same way: as one company-wide asset that people across WD-40, and the AI agents they build, can trust. This is a new role. You'll be the leader of our global data team and analytics strategy.
Responsibilities
Be the data champion. Bring finance, sales, marketing and operations leaders together to agree on what our data means and who owns it. This is the heart of the job.
Lead. Coach the Architect and the Manager of this team who leads the engineers and partners behind them. Help the team move from mostly tickets to mostly projects.
Build for AI now, not later. Shape a governed Microsoft Fabric platform with definitions, security and guardrails built in, so people outside IT can safely build reports and AI agents.
Set the roadmap. Write a 3-5 year data and analytics strategy tied to what matters most to the business.
Lead the business side. Manage the budget, negotiate with platform vendors, keep cloud costs in check. Build relationships with key business stakeholders and collaborate to drive value through solutions.
Keep it safe. Lead governance and compliance across GDPR, CCPA and changing data sovereignty rules.
Your first year, if it goes well You'll know our people, processes and technology. Business leaders will seek you out. Data governance will be running, with a few quick wins people can point to. There'll be a roadmap everyone has agreed to, and colleagues will be building on the platform. About the Team You'll report to our Vice President of Global Information & Technology, who leads by enablement: lots of autonomy, advice when you want it, and regular check-ins. You'll lead a small, capable team based in the US and UK.
Qualifications
Experience leading data and analytics, BI or data engineering teams, including architects and engineers. Ideally 7+ years of that within 12+ years of progressive IT and business leadership.
A background in data: you've worked hands-on with data and analytics before moving into leadership.
A track record of getting business leaders to agree on data governance: definitions, owners, stewards.
Experience with modern cloud data platforms. Microsoft Fabric is strongly preferred.
Global experience across countries and regulations (GDPR, data sovereignty). Ideally 5+ years.
AI fluency to guide a team building for AI agents and to explain it to business leaders.
Experience owning a budget and negotiating with vendors.
Public company experience is a strong plus. D365 experience is a plus.
A bachelor's degree in business, computer science, information systems, data science or a related field. A master's or MBA is a plus.
Thank you for considering WD-40 Company in your career search!
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About WD-40 Company
The WD-40 Company is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world. The company's flagship product, WD-40 Multi-Use Product, is a household name in the United States and is used in over 176 countries. The company also markets other homecare and cleaning products under the 2000 Flushes, Carpet Fresh, Spot Shot, X-14, and 1001 brand names. The WD-40 Company was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
