VP Data Operations

Freeman - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Chicago, IL

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Vice President of Data Operations is a key leadership role responsible for the governance, quality, and management of the organization's data assets. This individual will lead the transformation of how data is managed and integrated across the business, embedding data-driven decision-making into the organization's culture. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with strong business acumen and a track record of driving organizational change through innovative data strategies and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the organization's data strategy to align with business objectives.
• Serve as the organization's primary advocate for data governance, data quality, and data integration initiatives.
• Drive the transformation of data operations to support a data-driven culture, making data more accessible and actionable for decision-making.
• Act as a change agent, influencing senior leadership and cross-functional teams to adopt and integrate new data processes, tools, and mindsets.
• Establish a centralized team, Analytics Center of Excellence, to drive best practices in data analytics and ensure alignment with business goals.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to leverage diverse expertise and foster innovation.
• Implement robust training programs to enhance data literacy across the organization.
• Establish and oversee enterprise-wide data governance frameworks, ensuring that data is managed as a valuable corporate asset.
• Promote a culture of data governance to maintain data integrity and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with data-related policies, standards, and regulations, while driving continuous improvement in data management processes.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for data governance and quality, ensuring the organization meets its data-related goals.
• Develop and enforce standardized data definitions and formats to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Utilize structured semantic data to improve searchability and integration across systems.
• Regularly review and update data standards to adapt to evolving business needs and technologies.
• Implement comprehensive policies for data classification, retention, and protection to safeguard sensitive information.
• Establish clear guidelines for data access control to ensure only authorized personnel can access critical data.
• Develop and maintain efficient and scalable data operations to support the organization's evolving needs.
• Implement data management best practices and drive automation in data workflows to improve productivity and accuracy.
• Lead efforts to improve data quality, integrity, and availability across all business units, ensuring that data is reliable and fit for purpose.
• Set clear expectations and performance metrics for IT teams to align their efforts with business objectives.
• Collaborate with the IT and data engineering teams to evaluate, implement, and manage data platforms and technologies that enable advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI capabilities.
• Stay current with emerging trends in data management, governance, and analytics, ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of data innovation.
• Foster a culture of accountability by regularly reviewing IT performance and addressing any gaps or issues.
• Encourage transparent communication and collaboration between IT and other departments to ensure mutual understanding and support.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing data operations team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration between data, IT, and business teams to optimize data operations and drive strategic initiatives.
• Build a diverse, inclusive team that champions data literacy and enables widespread data-driven decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in data science, Information Systems, Business, or a related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in data management, data governance, or data operations roles.
• Proven track record of driving organizational change and transforming data operations to align with business goals.
• Experience with large-scale enterprise data initiatives, preferably within industries undergoing digital transformation.
• Strong knowledge of data governance frameworks, data quality management, and regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and influence cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Hands-on experience with modern data platforms, analytics tools, and cloud technologies is a plus.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in stakeholder management.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, Accident and Disability
• Retirement with Company Match
• Paid Time Off