Senior Manager, Data, Analytics & AI

ACA Group • Durham, NC

1d

About The Position

ACA Group is building the operational backbone for its next phase of growth—and this role is at the center of it. As Director, Data Analytics – Strategy & Operations, you will partner directly with the Head of Operations for ACA's Global Regulatory Advisory business to architect, build, and scale the data infrastructure and analytics capabilities that power how we run, measure, and grow a multi-segment, ~$100M+ advisory practice. Today, our US Regulatory business spans Private Funds, Fund Officers, Broker Dealer, and Wealth—each with its own delivery model, client base, and operational rhythm. Your mandate is to build and maintain a data and analytics backbone that helps operationalize and systematize how we analyze disparate data at scale, maximize business efficiency and profitability, and create a unified data schema that empowers both practice-level insight and enterprise-level clarity—while maintaining an exceptional client experience for our delivery teams. You will own the design and implementation of scalable data systems, AI-driven automation, and advanced analytics that enable leadership to manage the business through a single, data-led operating lens—from utilization and scorecard tracking to project profitability, revenue recognition, and management reporting. This is not a support role. This is a builder’s role—high autonomy, high impact, and a direct line to the decisions that shape how ACA’s largest advisory business operates and scales. If you're energized by the idea of turning messy, real-world operational data into clean, automated, decision-grade intelligence—and you want to do it inside a fast-moving, PE-backed GRC leader—this is your opportunity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a quantitative field such as Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline.
• At least 7–10 years of progressive experience in data analytics, quantitative analysis, business intelligence, or quantitative software/application development, ideally within professional services, financial services, or an advisory environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Python for data manipulation, automation, and analysis (pandas, NumPy, scripting, API integrations).
• Proven expertise leveraging AI tools (e.g., Copilot, Claude) in an enterprise environment to drive scalable efficiencies (automation, agent-building, workflow optimization, reporting, QC analysis).
• Expert-level skills in Microsoft Excel (complex modeling, Power Query, VBA/macros) and Power BI (DAX, data modeling, dashboard design, publishing).
• Demonstrated experience building APIs and automated data pipelines/ETL processes across enterprise systems.
• Proven ability to work with large, complex, disparate datasets—cleaning, reconciling, and structuring data into reliable analytical outputs.
• Experience partnering cross-functionally with senior business leaders, finance teams, and technology stakeholders to translate operational needs into analytical solutions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a high-growth, private equity-backed, or professional services environment.
• Familiarity with GRC (governance, risk, and compliance), regulatory advisory, or financial services operations.
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML tools, large language models, or AI agent development (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI APIs, Claude).
• Experience with Salesforce reporting, PSA/project management platforms, and financial planning tools.
• Master’s degree in a quantitative discipline, MBA, or equivalent advanced training.
• Prior experience building or scaling a data/analytics function within a complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Design and build scalable data architecture to unify fragmented product, project, billing, and client engagement data across multiple business segments and legacy systems (PSA tools, CRM, Deltek, Power BI, finance platforms, Workday, manual spreadsheets).
• Develop and deploy AI and automation solutions to reduce manual rework in operational workflows, including capacity and utilization reporting, project profitability analysis, data aggregation, cross-functional data migrations, and client engagement hygiene tracking.
• Build and maintain advanced dashboards and analytics tools using Power BI, Python, and Excel to deliver real-time, decision-grade visibility into key operational KPIs such as billable utilization, project profitability, cost-to-serve drivers, bookings-to-revenue conversion, and termination/churn analytics.
• Integrate disparate data sources across the enterprise (Salesforce, PSA/project management tools, Power BI, SharePoint, finance systems) via APIs and automated ETL pipelines to establish a reliable single source of truth for operational reporting.
• Partner cross-functionally with Business Unit Leaders (Private Funds, Fund Officers, Broker Dealer, Wealth), FP&A, Human Resources, and Technology to ensure data definitions, reporting cadences, and KPI frameworks are standardized and aligned to the firm's financial and operational rhythms.
• Support the development and automation of management reporting cycles, including quarterly business reviews, monthly financial reviews, and board-level materials—transforming manual, labor-intensive reporting into repeatable, data-driven operating systems.
• Quantify operational constraints and opportunities through rigorous analysis—identifying where execution mechanics (data classification errors, billing discrepancies, non-billable capacity inefficiencies) are creating drag on margin and growth, and recommending data-backed improvements.
• Prototype and scale AI agents and tools (e.g., Copilot-based automation, custom Python scripts, LLM-assisted workflows) to accelerate reporting, analysis, and decision-making across the US Regulatory team.
• Champion a data-led culture within the operations function by establishing SOPs for data governance, reporting standards, and analytics best practices that can be replicated across ACA’s global advisory businesses.

What This Job Offers

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