Director of Data Analytics

DC Prep•Washington, DC

2d•$130,000 - $137,000•Hybrid

About The Position

DC Prep is seeking a hands-on data leader to oversee data systems, assessments, and compliance, while helping network leaders use data to make decisions that improve student outcomes. The Director will lead a small Data Team and guide DC Prep through the transition to the CAPE 2.0 state assessment, changes to accountability frameworks, and the use of AI and automation. Student privacy and human judgment are central to this work. The role combines hands-on technical work, strategy, and decision support. It is based at DC Prep’s Home Office, with regular campus visits and some possible hybrid flexibility; the Director must be prepared to work onsite when needed, including on short notice during testing windows and compliance deadlines. The Director reports to the Chief Program Officer and is a member of the Home Office Program Team. The Director will maintain accurate, connected data across systems; lead assessment, accountability, and state reporting work; partner with program and school leaders to identify meaningful measures and translate findings into action; build leaders’ confidence in using data; and develop the Data Team’s technical and strategic capabilities. The role also includes exploring responsible AI and automation to reduce routine work and help leaders act sooner. This is a full-time, 12-month role. Workload peaks during testing windows, beginning-of-year setup, assessment windows, enrollment season, and state reporting deadlines. Availability outside standard hours is needed as required for time-sensitive testing, compliance, or reporting. Attendance at network events and occasional additional responsibilities may also be required.

Requirements

Five or more years of experience in K-12 data, assessment, or analytics, including experience managing people or leading a function.
Strong hands-on skills in SQL and spreadsheets.
Experience with a student information system.
A track record of accurate, on-time work under deadlines.
Ability to explain data clearly to non-technical audiences.
Curiosity about AI and willingness to experiment with it, even without prior expertise.
Bachelor’s degree.
Commitment to DC Prep’s vision, mission, and values, including diversity and inclusion.
Ability to identify meaningful measures, connect data to decisions, and focus on student outcomes.
Strong communication, relationship-building, prioritization, and influencing skills.
Ability to build and document reliable data systems and tools.
Ability to stay steady under deadline pressure and during change.
Ability to coach and develop a team with an equity lens.

Nice To Haves

Experience with PowerSchool SIS, PowerSchool Registration, DeansList, Illuminate DnA, Smarter Balanced, mCLASS, NWEA, Achievement Network, Amplify, BigQuery, Python, or Google Data Studio; experience with similar tools is also welcome.
Familiarity with academic growth measures, including comparing results across years or when a test changes.
Experience leading a state assessment or accountability transition.
Experience with DC state reporting, OSSE, or DC PCSB accountability frameworks.
Experience using AI or automation to streamline data work or build tools for leaders.
Experience using data to shape priorities or change a program.
Experience with alumni or postsecondary data, or program evaluation.
Master’s degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

Maintain accurate, connected, timely student data across PowerSchool, DeansList, and assessment platforms.
Lead state reporting and compliance work, including OSSE data validation for enrollment audits and state and DC PCSB submissions.
Own DC Prep’s assessment and accountability strategy across state assessments and OSSE and DC PCSB frameworks.
Lead the network’s transition to CAPE 2.0, including readiness, training, and support for interpreting the new baseline and measuring student growth.
Serve as LEA Assessment Coordinator for DC CAPE, ACCESS for ELLs, and alternate assessments.
Co-build the annual assessment calendar and partner with the Academic Program Team on interim, early literacy, and math assessments.
Ensure students receive required testing accommodations in partnership with the Director of Special Populations.
Deliver assessment results and analysis to network and campus leaders promptly.
Ensure enrollment, attendance, report cards, and student records are accurate and on time.
Build clear, trusted dashboards and establish shared data definitions, access practices, quality checks, and privacy practices.
Manage data vendors and assess whether tools provide value based on actual use.
Partner with program and school leaders to set goals, select meaningful measures, track student growth, and use data to guide decisions.
Co-lead data cycles, including campus quarterly stepbacks and Data Days, and support prioritized action plans grounded in data.
Investigate questions involving early warning signs, chronic absenteeism, special populations, program impact, and student outcomes.
Partner on program evaluation and help assess whether practices are being implemented and producing intended results.
Explain findings and recommended next steps to audiences ranging from executives to teachers; prepare data for the Board, DC PCSB, and funders.
Set the Data Team’s agenda, establish project plans and timelines, and maintain quality standards for the team’s work.
Lead, coach, and develop team members through regular check-ins and feedback.
Document processes, establish a data-request process, prioritize requests, and communicate tradeoffs.
Build a service-oriented Data Team that supports functions across the network with timely, accurate data.
Identify, pilot, evaluate, and scale AI and automation approaches that reduce routine work or improve access to useful insights.
Ensure AI outputs are checked for accuracy and fairness, keep people responsible for student decisions, and help develop guardrails for use of student data.
Help colleagues build AI skills and share effective practices.
Support campuses during testing windows, respond to urgent requests from OSSE, DC PCSB, the Board, or funders, and contribute to network initiatives as priorities shift.