DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF DATA & TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

State of careers Rhode Island • Derry, NH

8d • $132,230 - $171,674 • Onsite

About The Position

The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) is seeking an innovative, collaborative leader to serve as Director of the Office of Data & Technology Services. This is an exciting opportunity to shape how data and technology work together to improve educational outcomes for Rhode Island students. The Director will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for the Department's enterprise data strategy and will partner across the agency to strengthen data governance, improve data quality, and translate data into meaningful insights that inform policy, practice, and decision-making. The Director will also lead the modernization of the systems and processes that support educators, schools, and the Department's mission. While candidates with a broad range of leadership experiences are encouraged to apply, RIDE has a preference for leaders with demonstrated success building strong data governance practices, leading strategic analysis, research, and accountability efforts, and fostering a culture where data is used to drive continuous improvement and better outcomes for students.

Requirements

• Proven leadership ability, especially in developing and implementing enterprise data and technology strategies, leading organizational change, and managing complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Knowledge of enterprise data strategy, organizational performance management, and the strategic use of data to improve policy, practice, and operational effectiveness.
• Knowledge of enterprise data governance, data stewardship, metadata management, data quality, and responsible data use.
• Knowledge of K–12 education data, state and federal accountability systems, assessment programs, and the application of education data to inform policy, practice, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods used in data collection and analysis, including familiarity with data analysis tools.
• Skilled in conducting, interpreting, and synthesizing complex studies, data analyses, and policy issues into clear reports and actionable recommendations for executive leaders, policymakers, educators, and other stakeholder groups.
• Knowledge of modern information technology infrastructure, enterprise applications, cloud computing, network architecture, cybersecurity principles, technology modernization strategies, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, as applied to public-sector organizations.
• Skilled in managing complex portfolios of strategic initiatives, balancing competing priorities, and allocating resources to maximize organizational impact.
• Skilled in coordinating and facilitating cross-functional collaboration among diverse groups, including staff, educators, and stakeholder organizations, to achieve shared goals and organizational priorities.
• Skilled in communicating effectively and building productive relationships with supervisors, coworkers, staff in other state and federal agencies, educators, stakeholders, and the public.
• Familiarity with state and federal education reporting requirements, including ESSA, IDEA, EDFacts, and applicable Rhode Island General Laws.
• Five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in enterprise data, analytics, accountability, information technology, or organizational performance, preferably in a K–12 education or public-sector environment.
• Must have own transportation and be available evenings and occasionally on the weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in education, public administration, public policy, information systems, data science, business administration, or related field preferred.
• Demonstrated success building strong data governance practices, leading strategic analysis, research, and accountability efforts, and fostering a culture where data is used to drive continuous improvement and better outcomes for students.

Responsibilities

• Leads the implementation, execution, and continuous improvement of the Department's enterprise data strategy, ensuring that data are effectively governed, integrated, and utilized to advance agency priorities.
• Leads enterprise data governance by establishing policies, standards, and cross-agency structures that promote data quality, stewardship, metadata management, enterprise architecture, and responsible data use.
• Partners with agency leadership and program offices to strengthen organizational performance through strategic analysis, business process modernization, performance measurement, data visualization, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Leads the development, analysis, and communication of RIDE’s school accountability system, including the publication of the annual school report cards, to help inform school, district, and statewide continuous improvement.
• Oversees the analysis of key educational data sets to understand statewide trends in teaching and learning, progress toward agency priorities and statewide goals, and inform educational policy, strategic planning, and decision-making.
• Establishes research practice partnerships to evaluate student outcomes, inform strategic investments, and support continuous improvement.
• Provides strategic leadership for professional learning and technical assistance that strengthen statewide data literacy, improve data quality, and promote the effective use of data to improve educational outcomes.
• Provides strategic oversight of the Department's technology portfolio, ensuring technology modernization, network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise technology investments support agency priorities and operational efficiency.
• Provides executive oversight for the timely collection, analysis, and submission of all required state and federal education data collections and reports.
• Oversees the development of policies on data privacy and data security.
• Meets regularly with staff to provide updates on the direction and goals of the agency.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Benefits

• For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.
• Direct deposit for all employees is required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director