(DOE-012-26) Assistant Commissioner (Chief of Accountability and Analytics)

New Jersey Department of Education•Trenton, NS

11d•$181,125 - $181,125•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Commissioner for Accountability and Analytics serves as a senior executive leader within the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), responsible for the strategic direction and operational oversight of the agency's data systems, school and district accountability frameworks, and applied research and program evaluation functions. This position plays a pivotal role in ensuring that data-driven insights inform policy decisions, drive equitable outcomes for all students, and uphold the integrity of state and federal accountability requirements. This position reports directly to the New Jersey Commissioner of Education. This is a high-visibility, high-impact leadership role requiring exceptional expertise in educational data systems, accountability policy, and quantitative research. The Assistant Commissioner will lead a multi-disciplinary team of analysts, researchers, data engineers, and policy professionals, while serving as a key advisor to the Commissioner and senior leadership on matters of data governance, performance reporting, and evidence-based practice.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Education Policy, Public Policy, Statistics, Data Science, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in data, accountability systems, or policy analysis, with at least five (5) years in a senior leadership or management role.
Demonstrated expertise in the design and management of large-scale data systems.
Proven ability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary teams in a government or large organizational setting.
Strong proficiency in statistical analysis, data visualization, and quantitative research methods.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a relevant quantitative or policy-oriented discipline.
Prior experience in a state education agency, federal education department, or large urban school district central office.
Experience leading data modernization, cloud migration, or enterprise data platform projects.
Deep familiarity with student growth models, value-added analyses, and equity-focused accountability frameworks.
Track record of peer-reviewed research publication or presentation at national education research conferences.
Experience building and managing public-facing data dashboards and interactive report card systems.
Extensive knowledge of ESSA accountability requirements, federal education data reporting mandates, and FERPA compliance.
Familiarity with tools such as SAS, R, Python, SQL, or Tableau.

Responsibilities

Provide critical input to the design, development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the department's data systems, including student information systems, educator data platforms, and interoperability infrastructure.
Establish and enforce data governance policies, standards, and security protocols in compliance with FERPA, state privacy laws, and federal reporting requirements in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology.
Lead the department's data modernization strategy, including migration to cloud-based platforms, adoption of automated reporting pipelines, and integration of emerging data technologies.
Oversee the production of all state and federal data reports and state report cards, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, transparency, and usability.
Partner with district and school technology leaders to strengthen data quality, local reporting capacity, and use of state data tools.
Direct the implementation and continuous refinement of the state's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) accountability system, including indicator development, school identification, and improvement framework design.
Lead cross-agency collaboration with federal partners, legislative offices, and local education agencies (LEAs) to align accountability policies with state educational priorities.
Oversee the calculation and public release of accountability determinations for all public schools and districts statewide.
Develop equitable accountability frameworks that appropriately account for student subgroup performance, growth measures, and contextual factors.
Serve as the department's primary liaison to the State Board of Education and legislative education committees on accountability reporting, results interpretation, and policy recommendations.
Lead the department's research and program evaluation agenda, including the design and execution of rigorous studies on the effectiveness of state initiatives, interventions, and educational programs.
Direct the use of advanced analytics methods, including predictive modeling, trend analysis, and causal inference, to generate actionable insights for department leaders and stakeholders.
Oversee the department's partnerships with universities, think tanks, and research institutes to expand the evidence base informing state education policy.
Ensure the ethical use of data in research activities, including appropriate privacy protections, IRB compliance, and transparent reporting of findings.
Translate complex research findings into clear, accessible reports and presentations for diverse audiences including policymakers, practitioners, families, and the public.
Lead analysis at the intersection of financial, programmatic, and performance data to inform resource allocation, policy decisions, and continuous improvement efforts.
Partner with finance, program, and executive leadership teams to develop integrated reporting and analytic tools that connect spending patterns with student outcomes and operational results.
Support the development of frameworks that assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of state investments, including grant-funded and state-funded initiatives.
Identify trends, risks, and opportunities by linking fiscal data with accountability, outcome, and implementation data to strengthen strategic decision-making.
Provide executive-level leadership to a team of approximately 50–80 professional staff across data systems, accountability, and research units.
Recruit, develop, and retain top talent, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Develop and manage the division's budget, including federal grants, state appropriations, and contracted services.
Represent the department at national convenings, federal agency meetings, and professional associations focused on educational data and accountability.