Vice Provost and Chief Data Officer

The University of Akron

Vice Provost and Chief Data Officer

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist The University of Akron in its search for Vice Provost and Chief Data Officer.

For full consideration, please apply by March 27th.

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of data-driven innovation as the next Vice Provost and Chief Data Officer (VP CDO) at The University of Akron. The VP CDO will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the institution and will provide executive leadership in fostering value creation by leveraging the institutions’ information assets and data and analytics (D&A) resources. The VP CDO will be responsible for aligning data policy and administration with regulatory, compliance and ethical requirements and statutes. This is a chance to make a tangible impact on The University of Akron’s strategic direction by providing visionary leadership and guidance to ensure that the institution’s data and analytics services and programs are effectively used for informed and timely decision-making. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader who can work with key constituents across the university to identify and implement critical capabilities and manage the institutional data assets for a wide range of uses including but not limited to enrollment management, budget and financial planning, student retention and success, compliance reporting, accreditation, program effectiveness and institutional surveys. In this role, the VP CDO will lead a team dedicated to managing sophisticated data and analytics systems supporting institutional reporting, assessment and administration. The VP CDO will be instrumental in driving continuous improvement and innovation across the university.

This position reports to the Provost.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• 30% Manage resources leveraging the institution’s information assets and the analytics used to provide insights for decision making which support the institution’s strategic and tactical initiatives and opportunities.
• 30% Foster the creation of a data-driven culture, related competencies, and data literacy across the enterprise. Lead these transformation efforts by developing D&A talent and maturing the capability of the institution. Consult with functional areas to determine data needs. Present findings from studies resulting from data needs of internal constituents.
• 30% Lead and support data governance and data management processes, policies, standards, and practices ensuring compliance with legal, ethical and regulatory requirements. Provide oversight of data integrity. quality assurance and common data definitions for data administration. Responsible for accuracy and reliability of data collection and documentation.
• 10% Oversee initiatives and programs sponsored by the IR and PSI teams providing supervision and the evaluation of work assigned to the teams.
• Direction and total responsibility for the operation of a department or large program.
• Provides direction to staff for their work assignments and fosters an environment of collaboration and teamwork.
• Ensures all critical functions within the department are adequately supported.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree
• Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research and assessment with experience in statistical modeling, evidence-based decision support, analytics, and data curation
• Minimum of 3 years’ supervisory experience in leading teams preferably in a higher education institution
• Demonstrated experience in best practices leveraging technology for data and analytics and communicating the results
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with demonstrable experience and capability in translating data analysis into understandable terms at all levels of an institution or organization
• Experience with variety of data analytics and statistical systems and/or data warehouses
• Experience with predictive analytics, the use of key performance indicators (KPI ‘s) and dashboards
• Demonstrated experience in leading and facilitating change preferably in a higher education institution

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree.
• Eight or more years’ experience in making data a strategic asset in a position within higher education.
• Experience in establishing and managing a data governance process and committee.
• An understanding of trends in data and analytics methodologies and technologies.

About the Institution

The University of Akron (UA) is among Ohio’s most influential public urban research universities, conducting high quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce in highly trained diverse disciplines. UA offers over 16,000 students a wide variety of in-demand associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs. UA is a STEM-intensive institution, which has strong connections with industries including polymers, advanced materials, and engineering.  UA brings together a group of diverse learners, including full-time, part-time, on-line, veterans and adult students.  Students are enrolled across five colleges: 1) College of Engineering and Polymer Science, 2) Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, 3) College of Business, 4) Law and 5) College of Health and Human Sciences. In addition, students are served by several branch campuses.

Living in the Area

With a population of nearly 200,000, Akron is perfect for those looking for a city with a small-town feel. With more than 20 distinct neighborhoods, the city offers residents a wide array of benefits including a vibrant downtown, delicious dining, diverse and thriving arts and cultural scene, outdoor activities, including the Sand Run Metro Park with over 41 miles of hiking trails and Towpath Trail with 87 miles of Ohio’s most scenic countryside and numerous small lakes. The city is further supported by public transportation, including buses, Amtrak, and the Akron-Canton Airport. Akron enjoys a cost of living 30.5% below the national average.

Akron is only 40 minutes from Cleveland, 30 minutes from Canton and about two hours from both Columbus and Pittsburgh. The city has a strong pro-business climate and is strategically located to promote opportunities. Akron is the corporate home to numerous companies and its largest employer, Summa Health Systems, provides jobs to nearly 11,000 people.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by March 27th.

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyhmyac

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially

Inquiries and questions: Please send to UAkronVPCDO@acesrch.com

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity 

The University of Akron, as an equal education and employment institution, is committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified individuals in its education programs or activities, including applicants for admissions or employment, will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military status or status as a veteran. To further this commitment, the University complies with state and federal laws which prohibit discrimination. Questions or concerns about the administration of this commitment can be directed to the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office (uakron.edu/hr/eeoaa). 

The University also strives to provide an environment free from the negative impacts of gender-based discrimination and harassment as prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Questions about Title IX can be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education or both. For more information on Title IX at the University of Akron, including how to contact the Title IX Coordinator, how to file a complaint under Title IX with the University or the Title IX process at the University of Akron, please visit the University’s Title IX page at uakron.edu/title-ix/at-uakron.