Director of Data and Strategy (SY24-25)

The Division of Operations in Boston Public Schools comprises more than a quarter of the district’s $1.4 billion dollar budget across three different departments, including Facilities Management, Transportation and Food & Nutrition Services.

REPORTS TO: Deputy Chief of Operations

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Director of Data and Strategy aims to support the Operations Division in improving overall efficacy, productivity, and efficiency across BPS Operations through the development and implementation of a data-driven strategy. Daily, the successful candidate will provide much-needed analytical capability and supervision to these departments across a number of tasks, such as:

• Analyzing department specific trends (e.g., why is transportation costs rising while bus ridership has been decreasing?)
• Conducting ongoing evaluations of key performance indicators (e.g., percentage of breakfast meals served?) Assessing departmental performance against budget (e.g., what do historical trends in food service spending tell us about the likelihood of Food & Nutrition Services exceeding this year’s budget?)
• Developing department specific data-driven strategic plans (e.g., which buildings should we invest in to increase their reliance on renewable energy and reduce utility costs?)
• Creating a Strategic mindset across the division by supporting data leads in each department and by owning the division Key Performance Indicators monthly and annual process.
• Identifying inefficiencies across BPS Operations and proposing cost-effective solutions to improve processes and resource allocation.
• Establishing effective communication with senior leadership
  
  

Although sophisticated analytics sits at the core of the role’s responsibilities, the successful candidate will also have experience thinking big around developing and implementing strategic plans as well as the ability to think small and create interesting, detailed, and accurate operational and financial analyses. The successful candidate will also have demonstrated the ability to devise creative new metrics and use innovative approaches to generate new insights and new approaches to operational challenges, which will advance BPS Operations and the school district as a whole as well as supervise staff both directly and indirectly towards success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Analysis

• Conduct ongoing analyses of key performance indicators and other metrics across all BPS Operations departments.
• Evaluate departmental productivity and efficiency through a combination of internal data analysis and external research and benchmarking.
• Lead Operations leadership through quarterly reviews of the division.
  
  

Leadership

• Develop new analyses, databases, frameworks, and other decision-making tools, as needed.
• Lead projects to build and promote new operational strategies, protocols, and tools to improve productivity, effectiveness, or efficiency.
• Lead the creation of internal and external reports, presentations, and communications around division initiatives(Examples:District Building List, Facilities Strategic Planning, and Peak Season Reports)
• Lead in analyzing each department in the division on their progress to annual strategic goals.
• Lead annual operations district initiatives, including but not limited to the following;
• Review of conditions of facilities across the district (both internal and external Facilities Condition Assessment projects)
• Manage all measurable metrics related to district projects including the Space Committee meeting using the dashboard as the main tool for tracking (subject to change)
• Tracking of all summer projects across the division
  

Collaboration

• Assist Deputy Chief of Operations and BPS Operations department directors in the development of innovative practices and solutions to resolve operational challenges.
• Regularly report on operational analyses effectively framing insights and recommendations to support decision making.
  
  

Training & Development

• Deliver training and ongoing support to staff on data tools, best practices and strategies
• Assist new hires in gaining a comprehensive understanding of all systems relevant to their roles
• Gain a deep understanding of the systems used across different departments to ensure effective training and support
  
  

Supervision

• Management of division project managers not limited to training on key systems used in projects and review of materials for data accuracy.
• Indirectly oversee data leads at the department level
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in a related field or course of study preferred.
• At least three years of data analysis experience required, preferably in an educational or other public service setting.
• Experience leading an organization’s data analytics function and/or directing high impact analysis projects with implications for strategy and decision-making.
• Experience with a wide range of analytical tasks, including but not limited to: Analyses involving
• finance and budget;
• Project evaluations;
• Developing and tracking key performance indicators;
• Designing and measuring other productivity and efficiency metrics.
• Experience developing new strategies and/or practices, and then building implementation plans to promote successful execution.
• Familiarity with the operations of complex, multi-dimensional organizations required; familiarity with urban school districts strongly preferred.
• Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment
  

SKILLS:

• Expert analytical skills, demonstrating a mastery of Python, R, SQL, and either Microsoft Excel or Google Suites, Smartsheets
• Proven ability to develop and manage data evaluation projects and to frame recommendations based on data to support organizational decision-making.
• Acute problem-solving skills, exhibiting a talent for assessing organizational challenges and then resolving them with innovative data- or research-driven strategies.
• Strong communications and reporting skills coupled with the ability to distill sophisticated analysis into clear and actionable insights and recommendations.
• Ability to work cross-functionally, across multiple teams and projects, while still achieving desired outcomes and meeting project timelines.
• Ability to thrive in a high-pressure environment and to engage effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to build relationships and effectively engage both internal and external stakeholders in data-driven initiatives
• Ability to oversee multiple initiatives, manage resources effectively and ensure completion of data projects on time
  
  

TERMS: Managerial, D62 ($128,951)

WORK SCHEDULE: 8am – 4pm, stead with peak periods; limited evening and weekend responsibilities driven by the role’s deliverable schedule.

Please refer to www.bostonpublicschools.org/ohc (under "Employee Benefits and Policies") for more information on salary and compensation. Salaries are listed by Unions and Grade/Step.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.