Assistant Director of Data and Artificial Intelligence

Metropolitan Airports Commission•Minneapolis, MN

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The IT Data Practice Leader is responsible for leading the maturation, support, and execution of MAC’s IT Data capabilities. This includes overseeing the identification, ingestion, cleaning, and maintenance of all enterprise data and Geographic Information System (GIS) data. As a component of MAC’s data capabilities, this position also leads the usage and advancement of data-associated Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, such as Large Language Models (LLMs), that leverage these enterprise data sets. The IT Data Practice Leader will possess strong people leader skills, technology expertise, proven customer relationship building skills, and the ability to implement and support enterprise-grade data solutions for stakeholders that help MAC reach and maintain their strategic goals. The IT Data Practice Leader will drive innovation, identify, implement, and support prioritized enterprise data solutions, data-driven AI technologies, and best practices that enhance the organization's capabilities in alignment with MAC’s IT strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an IT related field and four years of experience supporting and managing data quality and data governance technical frameworks
In lieu of a degree, eight years of related IT experience supporting and managing data quality and data governance technical frameworks
Three years of leadership responsibilities and managing teams which include demonstrated experience hiring, disciplining, coaching, rewarding and terminating employees.
Experience building or maturing data capabilities (GIS and/or transactional/operational data)
Proven experience piloting and deploying technology solutions that leverage AI capabilities
Experience with dashboarding and visualization platforms
Proven ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships at all levels of an organization
Demonstrated experience delivering data-related solutions via formal Project Delivery methodologies
Ability to understand and communicate technical information to end users in an easily understood manner
Experience selecting and managing third-party vendors
Strong written communication skills
Willingness to provide 24/7/365 support for critical operational data systems
Valid driver’s license
Reliable vehicle to commute between job sites

Nice To Haves

Experience leading large enterprise data-related projects or work groups
Experience leading or participating in a data governance framework
Experience with Master Data Management (MDM) technologies
Experience in ESRI-based technology stack
Experience in Microsoft data technologies such as PowerBI, Power Apps, Azure data storage, etc.
Experience with internally-managed and/or vendor-supported LLM-based technologies
Experience in strategic planning, organization design and development
Master’s degree in related field
Public sector experience
Airport vertical experience

Responsibilities

Leads the IT Data team to work with business partners to develop and support strategically aligned solutions and capabilities to help meet MAC’s goals.
Drives the continued growth and maturation of MAC’s data practice including collaborating with MAC’s Data Governance team to help advance MAC’s analytics capabilities from descriptive reporting toward more predictive and prescriptive capabilities.
Builds and Maintains partnerships with the Business Stakeholders and PMO to prioritize, plan, scope, deliver, document, and support data-related projects.
Navigates and supports all MAC departments to identify synergies, dependencies, and sequencing of cross-department data maturation activities.
Establishes and matures a data stewardship model across the organization to ensure data is cataloged, accessible, accurate, and well-defined.
Leads the continued maturation and refinement of MAC’s data technical roadmap and ensures alignment with the overall IT and enterprise strategic plans.
Assists with strategy, delivery, and support of AI-driven solutions within the operational and/or GIS data environments.
Manages and prioritizes day-to-day activities for the IT Data Team and ensures data incidents and enhancement requests are addressed in a timely manner.
Partners with Cyber-security experts to ensure data solutions align with corporate security practices.
Maintains vendor relationships including budgeting for and managing the associated maintenance and licensing agreements.
Fosters high-performing teams, through a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes professional growth and encourages knowledge sharing.
Collaborates with other airport and aviation industry peers to share best practices.
Owns all enterprise data and GIS data including on-going support and maintenance of these authoritative data sets.
Ensures enterprise alignment for architectural direction for GIS and other data solutions
Leads artificial intelligence innovation pilots and production solutions and develops operational processes that leverage LLM’s and other AI-based data solutions.
Manages key vendors to understand and align with vendor product roadmaps and life-cycle initiatives
Evaluates industry trends related to data, GIS, analytics, and data-related AI solutions and recommends emerging data technologies for adoption.
Manage a team of IT professionals (employees and contractors), including hiring, training, and performance management.
Further develop roles and responsibility matrixes so employees have work plans appropriate for their business function and that the plan is being followed.
Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with employees to communicate work plans, issues, and other appropriate information.
Exercise supervisory authority in accordance with MAC Human Resource Policy, MAC Administration Manual, and/or the appropriate collective bargaining agreement.
Recognize employee achievement.
Oversee the development and maintenance of resource utilization and forecasting models.
Participate in management meetings and contribute to an open dialogue; communicate information within the organization and provide feedback to the team.