Director of Data Operations, Analytics and AI Enablement - New York Institute of Technology

Overview:

New York Institute of Technology's six schools and colleges offer undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in in-demand disciplines including computer science, data science, and cybersecurity; biology, health professions, and medicine; architecture and design; engineering; IT and digital technologies; management; and energy and sustainability. A nonprofit, independent, private, and nonsectarian institute of higher education founded in 1955, it welcomes nearly 8,000 students worldwide.

The university has campuses in New York City and Long Island, New York; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as programs around the world. More than 112,000 alumni are part of an engaged network of physicians, architects, scientists, engineers, business leaders, digital artists, and healthcare professionals. Together, the university’s community of doers, makers, healers, and innovators empowers graduates to change the world, solve 21st-century challenges, and reinvent the future.

 

For more information, visit nyit.edu.

 

New York Institute of Technology seeks a dynamic and strategic Director of Data Operations, Analytics and AI Enablement to lead the design, development, implementation and ongoing maintenance of NYIT’s data and an AI strategy to include analytics, t infrastructure, and AI capabilities. This hands-on leader will collaborate with cross-functional teams, provide day-to-day technical guidance and direction, establish strategic plans for data ecosystem modernization efforts, and oversee the integration of AI-driven solutions into data processes, enhancing analytics capabilities and operational efficiencies. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in both operational and strategic aspects of data and AI enablement. This role is critical to advancing NYIT’s data-driven and AI-supported initiatives, supporting the institution’s mission of educational innovation and excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead a comprehensive data strategy aligned with NYIT’s academic and operational goals and modern industry standards; partner with stakeholders to prioritize and manage data-related initiatives ensuring alignment with institutional strategies and objectives.
• Drive the development of analytics and analytics capabilities to support informed decision making across the campus; oversee the creation and maintenance of dashboards, reports, and analytics tools that provide actionable insights; identify and adopt viable trends and areas for improvement.
• Oversee and complete migration of the on-premise data warehouse and BI toolset to a scalable cloud-based model; manage data access and data governance across all users; provide expertise and support in data visualization and self-service access; devise a strategy for enterprise reporting, operational analysis, and advanced analytics that supports a single, authoritative source of truth.
• Develop and maintain a robust and modern data architecture for analytics, transactional data and master data to support both data exploration and analytics.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for AI adoption and integration across the university to enhance academic, administrative, and student engagement outcomes; identify opportunities to leverage AI technologies to advance institutional goals, improve operational efficiency, and enhance student success initiatives; and serve as a thought leader on AI trends and their implications for higher education, advising university leadership on emerging technologies.
• Lead the development and deployment of AI-driven solutions for personalized learning, academic advising, operational efficiency, student engagement, research, and more.
• Collaborate within IT, academic, and administrative teams to integrate AI into existing systems, such as learning management systems (LMS), ERP, CRM, and student success platforms.
• Identify and coordinate the correction of bad data, ensuring data integrity issues are escalated to the proper responsible parties, addressing data issues at the source; locate, define, and communicate recommended process improvements and issues to key internal and external resources regarding data quality.
• Work with the Data Governance Council to evaluate and implement data governance policies, ensuring data quality, security, privacy, and compliance; ensure data and AI projects adhere to best practices in data governance, security, and privacy, including compliance with FERPA, GDPR, and other regulations.
• Promote clear communication of enterprise design/development approaches, workflow and data standards, and reporting/BI requirements; review documentation developed by other departments to ensure adherence to data standards and consistency of information to analysts and developers; modify documentation and training materials as necessary.  
• Work with the IT security and other IT staff, monitor and advise on data privacy and security issues; alert functional teams and security when data is at risk, and work to continuously provide a secure ecosystem for university data.
• Lead the data operations team fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation; coach, mentor, and develop skills to build and sustain high-performing teams and strong employee engagement; directs team in the areas of planning, prioritizing, technical decisions, data integrity issues, best practices and standards.
• Develop and/or participate in various training seminars, workshops and short courses; develop supporting documentation as needed.
• Special projects and other duties as needed by the department and defined by the supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering or similar technical discipline. An advanced degree and relevant certifications are desired. Comparable success and work experience may be considered in lieu of advanced degree requirements. Preference will be given to candidates that have experience as a data architect and/or data integration management. Supervisory experience is also preferred.
• At least 7 years of experience designing, implementing and continuously modernizing data intensive management solutions as well as experience identifying and resolving issues related to data quality. Practical experience with enterprise reporting and analytics concepts, data governance, and tools in a large or medium-sized environment is required. Demonstrated knowledge of higher education business practices and the associated systems and platforms (student information systems, finance/HCM, academic advising, student recruitment) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in analytics, modern data warehousing, ETL, and BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Python/R) and competency in Microsoft Office. Familiarity with cloud data platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of AI technologies, machine learning algorithms, natural language processing and their practical applications.

• Strong understanding of data security and privacy laws including best practices in AI governance and ethics (e.g., FERPA, various state privacy/security regulations). High degree of integrity relative to computer security and confidentiality of information required.

• Proficiency in machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch), data processing (e.g., Python, R), and AI chatbot/LLM models (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGTP, Claude).

• Proven experience in assessing client needs, defining project scopes, and delivering successful outcomes on time and within budget.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and identify creative solutions to complex challenges.

• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and to lead a team; ability to set priorities and work concurrently on multiple tasks and projects; ability to communicate progress/problems to appropriate personnel effectively.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to communicate effectively with people at varying levels of digital and data fluency, and the ability to establish collaborative working relationships at all contact levels of the University is required.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from a variety of diverse backgrounds in support of a welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays on an as-needed basis is required. 

This position can be considered for a hybrid/remote position with flexibility of working remotely and in our NYC or Old Westbury offices as in line with New York Tech remote work policy.

 

New York Institute of Technology offers numerous opportunities to enhance personal and professional growth and provides employees with a competitive compensation and benefits program inclusive of  generous paid time off, holidays, tuition remission, and retirement plans with employer contributions.

 

 

New York Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer – All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

 

 

Other Information:

In compliance with local legislation as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, the annual base salary range for this position is listed. New York Tech considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate experience/expertise, education/training, key skills, geographic location, internal peer equity as well as market, organizational considerations and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement when extending an offer.

 

Minimum Salary:USD $150,000.00/Yr.Maximum Salary:USD $175,000.00/Yr.