Data & A.I. Innovation Engineer

ONE COMMUNITY CHURCH•Plano, TX

39d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Data & A.I. Innovation leads One Community Church's artificial intelligence (AI) and data strategy. This is a fractional executive engagement. The role provides senior leadership across three combined functions: AI strategy, information security oversight, and privacy oversight. The Director establishes One Community Church (OCC) as a leader in responsible AI adoption within the faith community. The role authors and maintains the church's official AI policy, oversees the development of custom AI tools, ensures AI resources exist for every age group, and builds and leads the volunteer team that carries the work across all campuses and the virtual campus. The Director also is responsible for managing, organizing, analyzing, and improving ministry-related data that supports the mission and strategic goals of OCC. This position ensures information related to members, attendees, ministries, engagement, events, and church operations is accurate, accessible, secure, and transformed into meaningful insights. The Data Engineer helps OCC move beyond simply collecting information by identifying patterns, trends, and opportunities that support ministry effectiveness and stronger connections with people. This role leverages data tools, reporting methods, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve processes, strengthen decision-making, and help ministry leaders better understand and serve the church community. The ideal candidate is an owner of their area and demonstrates an understanding of the responsibility of this role to the people and the ministry as a whole. They demonstrate deep hands-on fluency with modern AI tools, executive judgment, discretion with sensitive information, a heart for developing volunteers, and the ability to turn new technology into practical ministry outcomes. They have strong analytical ability, curiosity, confidentiality, collaboration, and the ability to communicate data insights in a practical and meaningful way.

Requirements

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics, Business, Information Management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
Minimum of 5 years of experience working with data management, reporting, analytics, database systems, or related functions.
Experience organizing information and creating reports that support decision-making.
Ability to identify trends, analyze information, and recommend improvements.
Experience maintaining confidential information.
Working knowledge of information security and privacy practices sufficient to set policy, oversee vendors, and know when to engage specialists.
Experience writing and administering organizational policy related to technology, data, or privacy.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Ability to organize, interpret, and communicate information effectively.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and reporting tools.
Experience working with databases, church management systems, CRM systems, or similar platforms.
Ability to use AI-supported tools to improve efficiency and data insights.
Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to learn new systems and technologies.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Proven ability to recruit, train, and retain volunteers or cross-functional teams.
Experience with church management software or membership databases.
Experience working within a church, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization.
Experience developing reports, dashboards, or leadership summaries.
Experience using AI tools for productivity, reporting, analysis, or process improvement.

Responsibilities

Own the AI Ministry & Innovation strategy, roadmap, and budget, and report quarterly to executive leadership.
Advise the Senior Pastor and executive team on AI opportunities, risks, and decisions.
Provide a briefing to the Senior Pastor and executive team at least every two weeks. This is a 15 to 30 minute update on progress, risks, and decisions needed, and it cannot be delegated.
Track and communicate key measurements of AI adoption, tool usage, and ministry impact.
Build, train, and lead the Data and AI volunteer ministry teams. The Director must be skilled in empowering, delegating and training volunteers with meaningful work to further the ministry.
Recruit continuously and plan through apprenticing and documentation for growth.
Write, publish, and update the church's official AI and data policies, including data privacy, acceptable use, and age-appropriate safeguards.
Own privacy oversight for all information about members, attendees, volunteers, and staff that AI tools and data systems touch.
Set and enforce standards for responsible AI and data use across the organization, including confidentiality, accuracy verification, and protection of sensitive information.
Serve as the escalation point for any AI-related security, privacy, or ethics concern.
Maintain accurate member, attendee, volunteer, ministry, and organizational information within church data systems.
Develop and improve processes for collecting, organizing, validating, and maintaining data.
Review information regularly to identify duplicate, incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent data.
Establish practices that improve data accuracy, consistency, and reliability.
Support ongoing data cleanup and improvement initiatives.
Maintain documentation related to data processes, standards, and reporting practices.
Develop reports, dashboards, and summaries that provide meaningful insights to church leadership and ministry teams.
Analyze attendance, engagement, participation, serving, and ministry trends.
Identify patterns and opportunities that support improved ministry planning and connection.
Translate data into clear and actionable information that assists leaders in making informed decisions.
Track and communicate key ministry measurements and organizational trends.
Support leadership in evaluating ministry effectiveness through accurate information.
Direct the development and adoption of custom AI tools. Decide what the volunteer team can build with no-code approaches and manage outside engineering help when a project requires it.
Evaluate, propose, and manage AI vendors, platforms, and tool licenses. Negotiate contracts within provided budget.
Utilize approved AI tools and emerging technologies to improve reporting, analysis, workflows, and organizational efficiency.
Identify opportunities where AI and automation can reduce manual processes and increase accuracy.
Use AI-supported tools to recognize trends, patterns, and insights that enhance ministry planning and engagement strategies.
Research and recommend practical technology solutions that support better use of organizational data.
Ensure responsible use of AI by maintaining confidentiality, verifying accuracy, and protecting sensitive information.
Stay informed on new tools and practices that could improve data management and ministry effectiveness.
Collaborate with ministry leaders and staff to understand their data needs and provide effective solutions.
Assist teams with understanding reports and applying information to ministry decisions.
Promote consistent data practices across departments.
Provide training and support to improve effective use of church data systems.
Serve as a resource for staff regarding data accuracy, reporting, and insights.
Protect confidential information related to members, attendees, volunteers, staff, and church operations.
Exercise sound judgment when accessing, reporting, and sharing information.
Demonstrate responsible stewardship of organizational data.
Maintain trust by ensuring information is handled ethically and appropriately.
Understand that data represents people, relationships, and opportunities for ministry impact.
Communicate information clearly to individuals with varying levels of data experience.
Listen and ask thoughtful questions to understand ministry needs.
Build strong working relationships across departments.
Collaborate effectively with ministry teams, staff, and leadership.
Demonstrate patience, professionalism, and a service-focused approach.
Remain adaptable and solution-focused as priorities change.