Data Platform & Governance Analyst

Kauffman Foundation•Headquarters, KY

About The Position

At the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, we first listen to the communities we serve, tap into our learnings and relationships, and bring everyone together to build and support programs that improve education, boost entrepreneurship, and help Kansas City thrive. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation that provides access to opportunities that help people achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity – regardless of race, gender, or geography. The Foundation uses its grantmaking, research, programs, affiliates, and initiatives to support the start and growth of new businesses, a more prepared workforce, and stronger communities. Our work is grounded in the principles of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion and is consistent with the aspirations of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the Kauffman Foundation is one of the largest foundations in the United States with an asset base of approximately $3 billion. While striving to have national impact and global reach, the Foundation is deeply committed to Kansas City, as evidenced by work on initiatives that reach into neighborhoods and enrich the community and quality of life in the region. For more information about the Foundation, please visit the website at www.kauffman.org. RESPONSIBILITIES The Data Platform & Governance Analyst serves as a critical technical resource supporting the implementation and management of the Foundation’s data infrastructure and data governance framework. This role is responsible for ensuring the integrity, accessibility, interoperability, and governance of enterprise data systems that support impact, research, learning, evaluation, and operational goals. The Data Platform & Governance Analyst provides the technical infrastructure, operational support, and data governance needed to ensure data is reliable, secure, and actionable across the Foundation. The Data Platform & Governance Analyst will manage day-to-day operations of enterprise data platforms and lead the development and governance of data standards, privacy, and access policies in alignment with the Foundation’s data strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent years of experience.
Minimum of three years of experience in data operations, data governance, system integration, or data engineering.
Candidates for this position must be highly motivated, capable of self-direction, and able to work collaboratively in a team.
Candidates must exhibit a keen sense of responsibility and enjoy working with multiple demands, shifting priorities, and constant change.
Possesses strong technical knowledge of relational and non-relational databases, APIs, data pipelines, and cloud-based data platforms e.g., Snowflake, AWS, Azure.
Has demonstrated experience with data governance practices, including data quality, security, access control, and compliance, e.g., PII, GDPR, FERPA.
Is proficient in SQL and at least one scripting language e.g., Python or R, for data transformation and automation.
Has experience working with business intelligence platforms, e.g., Tableau, Power BI.
Has familiarity with other technical system platforms, e.g., Salesforce, Fluxx, Workday, HRIS.
Can manage and document metadata, data dictionaries, and data catalogs.
Understands master data management principles and change control processes.
Collaborates effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders across teams.
Has excellent communication skills, including well-developed interpersonal, written, and listening skills.
Learns quickly, can synthesize multiple sources of information, gains insights, and communicates in a clear and coherent way, distilling complex ideas into clear, concise, and actionable forms.
Can manage vendor relationships and coordinate external technical resources.
Possesses strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Knows and uses project management tools, technology, and methodologies, e.g., gathering requirements, conducting business analyses, and providing documentation.
Prioritizes and multitasks effectively using excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail, while working independently.
Possesses a passion for “doing what is right,” with unquestioned integrity, positive ethics, and values reflective of the Kauffman Foundation.
Has strong computer literacy skills, particularly with the Microsoft suite of tools.

Nice To Haves

Relevant certifications in data management, cloud platforms, or analytics tools preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage and maintain the Foundation’s data infrastructure, including data lake and integrations with systems such as CRM, GMS, HRIS, and survey platforms.
Design, build, and optimize cloud-native data pipelines and automated workflows using modern data stack (e.g., Snowflake, dbt, Fivetran) to enable scalable, reliable, and secure data operations.
Lead and implement the Foundation’s data governance framework, including policies for data stewardship, classification, access, retention, and privacy.
Integrate and standardize data across systems to ensure accuracy, interoperability, and consistency across platforms.
Support business intelligence tools, (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), by optimizing data structures and enabling dashboard/reporting needs.
Partner with internal teams to translate data requirements into technical solutions that align with business goals and system capabilities.
Monitor and improve data quality through validation routines, system checks, and cross-functional collaboration.
Manage metadata, data cataloging, and documentation to support transparency, traceability, and Foundation-wide understanding of data assets.
Serve as the primary technical point of contact for data-related issues, including troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
Coordinate with vendors and contractors to deliver data system enhancements, ensuring alignment with Foundation standards and timelines.
Document workflows, technical decisions, and support materials to enable ongoing team use, onboarding, and training.