Description

Princeton University seeks an experienced, forward-looking leader to serve as the inaugural Associate CIO, Data Management Integration and Analytics and University Data Officer (AC-UDO).   Reporting to the Vice President for Information Technology & Chief Information Officer with a dotted line to the Provost, this role serves as the University’s chief data strategist responsible for advancing data as a strategic asset to support institutional decision-making, innovation, and operational excellence.

Key areas of leadership include:

• Data Strategy –  Lead the development and execution of an enterprise data strategy aligned with institutional priorities. establish a clear data roadmap to increase the value, accessibility, and use of university data; identify and integrate new internal and external data sources to enable innovation, including creation of centralized capabilities for sourcing high-quality, cost-effective external data
• Data Governance – Refine and implement a university-wide data governance framework that aligns stewardship, policy, and accountability with strategic priorities; convene and lead the Executive Analytics Governance Council to ensure executive sponsorship and oversight; standardize governance tools, policies, and practices across the institution in coordination with legal, information security, and risk and compliance partners.
• Data Management and Operations – Provide leadership for enterprise data management, including data quality, stewardship, and lifecycle practices; implement processes to monitor and report on data quality and asset health; advance institutional standards for data sharing, access, and responsible use in collaboration with the CISO, General Counsel, and other key stakeholders.

While the ongoing responsibilities of the role are outlined above, the incoming AC-UDO will focus on several near-term priorities to establish a strong foundation for success. Within the first six months, the AC-UDO will present University senior leadership with a high-level, actionable plan to advance the strategic use of data, informed by institutional needs, prior experience, and emerging trends.

The AC-UDO will join the early, critical stages of planning for a new ERP platform across Princeton’s major business functions and will contribute expertise and vision in all areas related to data strategy, integrity, and outcomes.

Qualifications and Competencies

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, computer science, data science, information science, or a related field, or equivalent experience required. A graduate degree in mathematics, data science, information science, or a related field is preferred. Academic training or professional experience in legal and regulatory areas is preferred. 

In addition: 

• 15+ years of leadership experience, ideally in data strategy or data management, including recent experience at or near the executive level
• 5+ of progressive leadership experience in leading successful cross-functional teams and enterprise-wide programs, operating and influencing effectively across complex, decentralized organizations with consensus-driven and deliberative decision-making norms
• Experience building and leading data analytics teams using the latest data mining, machine learning, and/or artificial intelligence techniques 
• Broad experience in multiple competency areas of data and analytics delivery; examples are data warehousing, business intelligence (BI), data governance, data architecture, data integration, data classification, data strategy, data quality management, data security, and privacy, MDM, data standards, regulatory compliance and enterprise architecture frameworks
• Excellent business acumen and interpersonal skills; the ability to work across business lines at a senior level to influence and effect change to achieve common goals
• Demonstrated leadership with a proven track record of leading complex, multidisciplinary data strategy initiatives
• A strong commitment to building a diverse and inclusive team culture
• The ability to describe business use cases/outcomes, data sources and management concepts, and analytical approaches/options; the ability to translate among the languages used by executive, operational, IT and analytic stakeholders
• Information strategy expertise: experience in strategic technology planning and execution, and policy development and maintenance
• Analytical skills: outstanding analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Gravitas to develop a framework for information and analytics governance, as well as to sell and embed it in all levels of the business
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain digital concepts and technologies to non-technical audiences and business concepts to technologists
• Proven ability to balance team and individual responsibilities, build teams and consensus, get things done through influence, not only positional authority
• Proven ability to work ethically and with integrity

The full position description can be viewed here.

To apply

The current target salary range for the position is $265,000-$306,000. Princeton University is committed to offering competitive compensation, and for highly qualified candidates with exceptional experience and record of achievement substantially exceeding the minimum requirements, compensation above this range may be considered, consistent with institutional guidelines. Princeton University provides excellent benefits to its employees including in health, retirement, and education.

Princeton University has retained Opus Partners (opuspartners.net) to support this recruitment. Craig Smith, Founding Partner, Katie Dean, Senior Partner, and Jeffrey Stafford, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent to jeffrey.stafford@opuspartners.net. The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality. Required application materials include a CV and cover letter addressing the responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations established for this position. 

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Princeton University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran in any phase of its employment process; in any phase of its admission or financial aid programs; or other aspects of its educational programs or activities. The associate provost is the individual designated by the University to coordinate its efforts to comply with Title IX, Section 504 and other equal opportunity and affirmative action regulations and laws. Questions or concerns regarding Title IX, Section 504 or other aspects of Princeton's equal opportunity or affirmative action programs should be directed to Michele Minter, Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity, Princeton University, 205 Nassau Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544 or 609-258-6110. Further, inquiries about the application of Title IX and its supporting regulations may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education. For additional information about the University’s commitment to equal opportunity, visit https://rrr.princeton.edu/equal-opportunity-policy.