Director of Data Services

General Council on Finance and Administration•Nashville, TN

9d•Remote

About The Position

The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) is seeking a Director of Data Services to transform how The United Methodist Church collects, governs, and leverages data to support discipleship, stewardship, and connectional effectiveness. The Director of Data Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the agency’s data services function. This role is responsible for building and sustaining a secure, automated, and analytics-driven data ecosystem that supports data-informed decision making across the United Methodist Church connection. The Director leads initiatives in data governance, automation, and analytical capabilities, ensuring data integrity, accessibility, and strategic value. This position oversees the collection, auditing, and dissemination of official denominational statistics and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to advance data maturity across the connection.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in data management, social sciences, economics, or business required.
Minimum of 7 years in data analytics or data management.
Proven experience leading data governance, automation, or analytics initiatives.
Experience managing cross-functional teams and complex data projects.
Strong SQL skills required, familiarity with modern data platforms and tools preferred.
Must be willing to travel occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Certifications in data governance, analytics, or project management are a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership, vision, and direction for the Data Services department, aligning its goals with the broader mission of the General Council on Finance and Administration.
Lead the development and implementation of data governance frameworks to ensure data privacy, security, accuracy, and compliance by assigning data stewards, defining data standards, and establishing policies for data access and retention.
Oversee the implementation of automated data pipelines, validation processes, and scalable infrastructure to improve data quality, reduce manual effort, and support real time data availability.
Expand the organization’s analytic capabilities by deploying self-service tools, predictive modeling, and training programs that empower staff to derive insights and make data-driven decisions.
Manage the collection, processing, and dissemination of official Church statistics, ensuring timely and accurate reporting through effective team leadership and project management.
Build and maintain relationships with key partners across the connection and oversee departmental budgeting, project prioritization, and vendor relationships.