Education Analytics (EA) is a national non-profit organization located in downtown Madison, WI that uses data and analytics to improve outcomes for students and increase equity in education. We work closely with our partners to illuminate patterns in data that drive change. At EA, we believe in a culture that is collaborative, equitable, mission-driven, human-centered, innovative, and rigorous. We believe in the potential of people to foster continuous improvement.

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Position Description

The Vice President of Data Science (VPDS) will lead and grow the Data Science Division, driving innovative research and analytics powered by interoperable data infrastructure. This role is responsible for advancing high-quality, cutting-edge analytics and rigorous, academic-grade research to support Education Analytics’ mission. A critical aspect of this role is growing Education Analytics’ data science expertise, capacity, and impact. The VPDS will, in collaboration with the Business Strategy Division and the Executive team, be responsible for ensuring a funding strategy to expand and sustain the Data Science division. This leader will be responsible for articulating the impact of data science, research, and analytics in compelling ways to funders, ensuring sustained investment in EA’s data science capacity. Reporting to the Chief Data Officer (CDO), the VPDS will oversee the Research and Analytics functions, ensuring collaboration and alignment with EA’s technical strategy.

This position is ideal for a strategic and hands-on leader who can scale data science initiatives while integrating research methodologies with practical analytics applications. The VPDS will play a pivotal role in shaping data-driven decision-making, predictive modeling, and machine learning strategies that improve education research and policy.

Orientation to the Work

• Comfortable with taking initiative and sharing responsibility in a team-based, collaborative environment at a fast-paced nonprofit organization.
• Customer-service orientation to working with other teams and partners.
• Ability to think strategically about complex issues as they arise, including weighing competing options and acknowledging the importance of context.
• This is a full-time, salaried exempt position with the expectation that specific periods of work around project deadlines or peak loads during the year may require additional time commitment to support completion.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Division Growth
  • Establish and scale the Data Science Division, aligning its growth with organizational goals
  • Collaborate with the Chief Data Officer to define and execute a vision for leveraging data science to improve analytics, research, and decision-making in K-12 education
  • Collaborate with the Business Strategy Division to identify and pursue new funding opportunities for data science work, including philanthropic partnerships, grants, contracts, and collaborations with state and local educational agencies and external organizations
  • Drive collaboration across analytics, research, and engineering teams to maximize the impact of interoperable data infrastructure
  • Identify and integrate emerging technologies, methodologies, and best practices in data science and machine learning
• Advanced Analytics & Research Innovation
  • Oversee the development of predictive models, AI/ML applications, and causal inference frameworks to enhance education research and analysis
  • Champion the use of statistical, econometric, and machine learning techniques to generate high-impact insights
  • Ensure the production of academic-grade research that is rigorous, replicable, and actionable
  • Guide teams in transforming research methodologies into scalable analytics solutions for stakeholders
  • Lead and support publication efforts
• Leadership Development
  • Manage the leadership of the Analytics and Research teams, fostering collaboration
  • Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of data scientists, researchers, and analysts to support division growth
  • Promote a culture of experimentation, peer learning, and continuous improvement in data science practices
• Maintain the security and privacy of company and customer data as part of responsible data handling.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree in data science, statistics, computer science, economics, mathematics, education, or related field is preferred
• 7+ years of professional experience in data science, economics, statistics, education, or a related field in an academic, non-profit, corporate, or other research-focused setting
• 5+ years of experience in data science, analytics, or research leadership roles, with a track record of scaling teams and initiatives
• Proven ability to bridge the gap between academic research and practical analytics applications
• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, causal inference, and AI-driven analytics
• Demonstrated track record of academic accomplishments, such as presenting at academic conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals
• Strong programming skills in R, Python, and/or SQL is strongly preferred
• Knowledge of interoperable data infrastructure, open data standards, and reproducible research methodologies is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with data warehousing concepts and systems
• Experience with cloud-based data platforms and analytics platforms (Snowflake, Databricks, AWS) is preferred
• Experience managing cross-functional teams
• Excellent problem-solving and systems-thinking skills 
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to a wide variety of non-technical stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills  
• Customer-service and entrepreneurial orientation to working with partners that ensures that EA exceeds expectations 
• Desire to work in a team environment at a fast-growing, fast-paced nonprofit  
• Demonstrated interest in improving and supporting U.S. K-12 public education through data analysis 
• Entrepreneurial and fundraising experience a preferred

Work Environment and Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively in numerous conversations throughout the day on the telephone, in writing, on-line zoom and in person to provide information, collaboration and assistance.
• Ability to reach in all directions and bend/stoop to store and retrieve files, use telephone, calculator, computer, and other office equipment.
• Ability to move inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, retrieve office supplies and make general deliveries.
• Dexterity and hand/eye coordination necessary to operate computer keyboard and other office equipment.
• Ability to complete job duties where there may be eyestrain due to constant viewing of computer screens.
• Ability to complete job duties in an environment where background noise and frequent interruptions are consistent.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize basic math skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, follow instructions and be able to comprehend written material or requests.
• Must demonstrate the ability to use reason and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.

Compensation and Benefits

EA has a generous benefits package including:

• A 12% employee salary contribution from EA to your 401k retirement plan
• An additional 3% salary deferral match by EA to your 401k
• 26.5 days of paid vacation annually + sick paid time off that accumulates per pay period
• 9 paid holidays of your choosing
• 93% of health insurance premium paid for by EA
• Paid parental leave (if eligibility requirements are met)

EA’s primary location is in downtown Madison, WI, on the Capitol Square. Steps away from coffee shops, a weekly summer farmers’ market, restaurants, shops, and two lakes. Many staff walk, bike, or use public transportation to commute to a well-appointed office.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Education Analytics is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The job duties, responsibilities, skills, experience, educational factors and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations, or the work environment change.