Global IT Data & Analytics Director

WD-40 Company•San Diego, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

WD-40 Company is hiring a global leader to unify data across regions and systems and establish the company’s enterprise data and analytics strategy, vision, and operating model. The role will define a multi-year roadmap and drive adoption of cloud data platforms, advanced analytics, and data-as-a-service so data can support business decisions and the secure use of Agentic AI and autonomous enterprise workflows. It will connect business strategy with technology execution, govern the Center of Excellence portfolio, negotiate strategic vendor partnerships, and work with business stakeholders to deliver scalable, reliable, high-value outcomes across trading blocs and corporate functions. The director will lead the global data team and analytics strategy, bringing finance, sales, marketing, and operations leaders together to align on data definitions and ownership. The role will coach the team’s Architect and Manager, guide the move from ticket-focused work toward projects, and shape a governed Microsoft Fabric platform with appropriate definitions, security, and guardrails. The director will manage the budget, vendor relationships, and cloud costs, while leading governance and compliance for GDPR, CCPA, and evolving data-sovereignty requirements. The position is based in San Diego, California, with a hybrid work arrangement, and reports to the Vice President of Global Information & Technology. The team is small and capable, with members in the US and UK. Applicants must be able to work in the US without current or future sponsorship.

Requirements

Experience leading data and analytics, BI, or data engineering teams, including architects and engineers.
Ideally, at least 7 years of data and analytics, BI, or data engineering leadership within 12 or more years of progressive IT and business leadership.
A hands-on background in data and analytics before moving into leadership.
A track record of gaining business leaders’ agreement on data governance, including definitions, owners, and stewards.
Experience with modern cloud data platforms.
Global experience across countries and regulations, including GDPR and data sovereignty; ideally at least 5 years.
AI fluency sufficient to guide a team building for AI agents and explain AI to business leaders.
Experience owning a budget and negotiating with vendors.
Bachelor’s degree in business, computer science, information systems, data science, or a related field.
Must be able to work in the US without current or future sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Microsoft Fabric experience is strongly preferred.
Public company experience is a strong plus.
D365 experience is a plus.
A master’s degree or MBA is a plus.

Responsibilities

Bring finance, sales, marketing, and operations leaders together to agree on data definitions and ownership.
Lead and coach the team’s Architect and Manager, who leads the engineers and partners.
Help the team shift from primarily ticket-based work to primarily project-based work.
Shape a governed Microsoft Fabric platform with built-in definitions, security, and guardrails so people outside IT can safely build reports and AI agents.
Develop a three-to-five-year data and analytics strategy aligned with business priorities.
Manage the business side of the function, including the budget, platform vendor negotiations, and cloud costs.
Build relationships with key business stakeholders and collaborate to deliver value through solutions.
Lead governance and compliance across GDPR, CCPA, and changing data-sovereignty rules.
Lead the global data team and analytics strategy.
Develop an enterprise data and analytics strategy, vision, and operating model, and drive adoption of cloud data platforms, advanced analytics, and data-as-a-service.