Senior Manager, Data Science - Institutional Analytics & Research

Western Governors University•Salt Lake City, UT

10d

About The Position

As a Senior Manager, Data Science, you’ll lead a talented team of Data Scientists and Analysts to design and implement AI/ML-powered models that transform faculty workflows. Your work will reduce manual effort, streamline academic processes, and enable personalized interventions that help faculty act with precision and efficiency. This is a high-impact leadership role that shapes WGU’s Data Science capability and drives automation across the academic experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field
7 years of experience in Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Decision Intelligence, Machine Learning Research, or a related domain
3 years of experience in people leadership, including hiring, coaching, and performance management
Advanced SQL proficiency and experience with data modeling (conceptual, logical, dimensional)
Expertise in Python, R, and/or Natural Language Processing in an ML environment
Strong experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI
Proven ability to collaborate effectively across multiple teams and stakeholders to deliver complex, high-impact projects

Nice To Haves

Experience in Higher Education, competency-based learning, or online learning environments
Knowledge of forecasting methods, classification algorithms, and advanced statistical modeling

Responsibilities

Lead a team of Data Scientists and Analysts to build predictive and prescriptive models that improve faculty decision-making
Partner with cross-functional teams to integrate machine learning solutions into systems used daily by faculty and students
Define and manage project plans for large-scale, complex initiatives, ensuring alignment with WGU’s strategic goals
Oversee resource planning, stakeholder communication, and risk mitigation for high-visibility projects
Collaborate with Data Engineering to develop ETL/ELT processes and data pipelines for analytics projects
Drive continuous improvement through faculty feedback loops and ensure solutions deliver measurable impact
Serve as a thought leader in Curriculum and Learning Analytics, fostering innovation and operational excellence across the university

Benefits

bonuses
medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare
health savings account and flexible spending account
basic and voluntary life insurance
disability coverage
accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
legal and identity theft coverage
retirement savings plan
wellbeing program
discounted WGU tuition
flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave