Chief Data Officer

Chief Data Officer

Montana State University

Position Information

Announcement Number: STAFF - VA - 25390

For questions regarding this position, pleasecontact:


Ryan Knutson

(406) 994-4061

rknutson@montana.edu.

Classification Title: Executive Director

Working Title: Chief Data Officer

Brief Position Overview


Montana State University is looking for a Chief Data Officer whowill be expected to lead the fulfillment of the mission of University Data and Analytics by supporting and coordinating allinstitutional research, institutional effectiveness, assessment,accreditation, mandatory reporting, business analytics, and otherdata-focused decision-support activities.

Position Number: 4C2530

Department: University Data & Analytics

Division: VP for Information Technology

Appointment Type: Professional

Contract Term: Fiscal Year

Semester:

If other, specify From date:

If other, specify End date:

FLSA: Exempt

Union Affiliation: Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE: 1.0

Benefits Eligible: Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience, education, andqualifications.

Contract Type: MUS

If other, please specify:

Recruitment Type: Open

Position Details

General Statement


The Chief Data Officer (CDO) under the guidance of the Vice President for Information Technology provides strategic oversightof the University's data strategy and data analysis.

The CDO's primary focus areas are governance, innovation,analytics, and operations. The CDO achieves these goals through themanagement of University Data and Analytics. The office implementsapproaches to data analysis, data architecture, data management,and institutional research.

The CDO works closely with university leadership along with otherdepartments and offices and acts as a conduit from leadership andothers in the institution to identify appropriate analytics toaddress institutional questions and communicate results to the President and other audiences.

The CDO oversees UDA staff, including operations analysts and datascientists who: design and conduct complex analyses of the University and other pertinent external data; regularly interactwith and communicate analytical outcomes to Universitydecision-makers, including the President, Vice Presidents, Deans,faculty, staff, and students; develop innovative methods forconveying information; disseminate official results to appropriateagencies/audiences.

Duties and Responsibilities


Leads and guides the University Data and Analytics office.

Responsible for governance structures for data andanalysis.

Responsible for developing and continuing a strategic vision fordata at MSU.

Direct the collection, analysis, and presentation ofinstitutional and/or comparative data used to support and enhancepolicy formation and decision-making.

Direct reporting of all institutional data required by Federal,State, and accreditation agencies, the Board of Regents, and bycampus administrators and committees.

Champion the integration of data sources and develop increasedaccess to data to drive the mission of the University.

Facilitate the analysis of data as a strategic partner forleadership.

Contribute expertise in supporting student success efforts andinitiatives.

Contributes expertise in supporting institutional diversity,equity, and inclusion efforts.

Increase the ability for key data stewards/stakeholders toeffectively use data including areas such as enrollment management,space management, strategic priority action plans, annual operatingbudgets, institutional effectiveness and efficiency, faculty andstaff effectiveness, and assessment of return on programinvestments.

Collaborate with the MSU System campuses Chancellors and CE Osrelated to a four-campus need for data analysis andintegration.

Consult on survey design and analysis for campusconstituents.

Required Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge &Skills


1. Master's degree in the social sciences, data science,statistics, higher education, industrial/financial engineering, orrelated field, or an equivalent combination of relevant educationand/or experience.

2. Five or more years of work experience in institutional researchor analytics-related contexts.

3. Demonstrated experience in effectively communicating dataanalysis to organizational leaders and in public settings.

4. Progressively responsible project management experience.

5. Progressively responsible experience in managing staff,including retention, coaching, and performance/disciplinemanagement.

6. Demonstrated understanding of data management practices.

7. Advanced knowledge of research design.

8. Experience operating in a complex administrative informationsystem.

9. Demonstrated successful experience applying data visualizationtools and software (e.g.Tableau, Argos, Power BI) to facilitateuser comprehension.

Preferred Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge& Skills


1. Terminal degree from an accredited university in socialsciences, data science, statistics, industrial/financialengineering, social, behavioral, or decision sciences, highereducation or related field from an accredited university, or anequivalent combination of relevant education and/orexperience.

2. Progressively responsible experience working in a highereducation setting.

3. Experience operating in an Ellucian Banner ER Penvironment.

4. Experience in data warehousing.

The Successful Candidate Will


Ability to establish and maintain cooperative workingrelationships with various constituencies, includingadministrators, diverse student body, faculty, and staff.

Aptitude for identifying process inefficiencies, identifyingsolutions, and successfully implementing changes.

Ability to organize and prioritize multiple assignments.

Excellent written and oral communication, with demonstratedability to communicate data and analysis to a lay audience.

Process and outcome orientation the ability to see how outcomesof projects will impact the organization.

Demonstrated service, and inclusive design orientations abilityto collaborate with and view the process and product from the lensof constituents/end users.

The ability to provide decision support generated through dataand informed analyses.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information


Montana State University values diverse perspectives and iscommitted to continually supporting, promoting, and building aninclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizesthe importance of work-life integration and strives to beresponsive to the needs of dual-career couples.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act,MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabledveterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim aveteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preferenceinformation located in the Demographics section of your profile.https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment-guidelines/affirmative_action_plan.html.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustivestatement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but as ageneral description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties andresponsibilities to this job at any time.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Physical Demands


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able toperform each essential duty satisfactorily with or withoutreasonable accommodation. The requirements listed above arerepresentative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilityrequired.

This position has supervisory duties?: Yes

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies: 1

Desired Start Date: Upon completion of a successfulsearch

Position End Date (if temporary):

Open Date:

Close Date:

Applications will be:


Screening of applications will begin on July 7, 2025; however,applications will continue to be accepted until an adequateapplicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

EEO Statement


Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU doesnot discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color,religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, genderidentity or expression, age, marital status, national origin,physical or mental disability, or any other protected class statusin violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act,MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabledveterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claimveteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preferenceinformation located in the Demographics section of yourprofile.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents


1. Resume

2. Cover Letter

To apply, visit https://jobs.montana.edu/postings/46868

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