What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director of Data Analytics and Platform Services position at The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia?
Department Overview
About UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science
The University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) serves more than 3,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate students andhasa rapidly expanding research enterprise. Theschoolis committed to excellence in education, research, and service.
Position Summary
The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at the University of Virginiaseeksan experienced and strategic data professional to serve as the Associate Director of Data Analytics and Platform Services. This position will lead a small team responsible formaintainingand advancing a production-grade Microsoft Fabric data platform while delivering high-quality analytics and reporting that support operational excellence, strategic planning, and institutional decision-making.
The SEAS data platform currently integrates data from SIS, Workday, Slate,Airtable, and other institutional and external systems through 15 production pipelines, serving 50 users across the school. The successful candidate will inherit and build upon this foundation.
Key Responsibilities
Data Analytics and Reporting
Partner with school leadership and academic units to align analytics and reporting with institutional priorities.
Create andmaintaindashboards, visualizations, and reports for strategic metrics using Power BI and related tools.
Perform trend analysis and forecasting using large, complex datasets across enrollment, faculty, research, and financial domains.
Lead the school's institutional reporting efforts, including IPEDS, ASEE, and USNewssurvey submissions.
Support operational decision-making through data-driven insights and ad hoc analysis.
Data Engineering and Platform Development
Maintain and enhance the school's Microsoft Fabric data platform, includinglakehouse/warehouse architecture,PySparknotebooks, and T-SQL pipelines.
Define and advance the school's data architecture, strategy, and long-term platform roadmap.
Manage data governance and ensure data integrity, performance optimization, and reliability of data pipelines in compliance with university policies.
Explore and implement emerging technologies, including AI/LLM tools, to enhance data access and insight delivery.
Collaborate with central UVA IT and enterprise data governance partners to align data practices and integrate institutional data sources.
Manage API integrations and data ingestion from external systems (e.g., Slate SFTP,Airtable, Google Scholar).
Team Leadership and Stakeholder Management
Lead and develop asmallteamof data analysts and engineers; serving as a player-coach who balances hands-on technical work withpeopleleadership.
Navigate stakeholder relationships across academic departments, associate deans, faculty affairs, and administrative units.
Maintain documentation, runbooks, and knowledge management practices to ensure platform continuity.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience managing a team of data analystsorengineers.
Strongproficiencyin Python (PySpark), SQL (T-SQL), and data transformation frameworks.
Experience with Microsoft Fabric, Azure, or comparable modern cloud data platforms.
Demonstrated ability to design and manage ETL/ELT pipelines and data architectures.
Experience developing dashboards and reports using Power BI or similar tools.
Strategic thinking, project planning, and the ability to influence analytics adoption across an organization.
Demonstrated innovation inanalyticsmethodologies and technologies.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in higher education or complex institutional environments.
Familiarity with university data domains (enrollment, faculty, research, finance, advancement).
Experience with institutional survey and reporting frameworks (IPEDS, ASEE, US News).
Experience with API integrations and web services.
Exposure todata quality frameworks and data governance practices.
Experience with AI/LLM tools in a data platform context.
Microsoft Fabric certifications (e.g., DP-600) or comparable cloud platform credentials.
Physical Demands
This is primarily a sedentary position. The employee will be expected to perform typical office tasks including sitting, standing, and working at a computer for extended periods of time.
Salary Range
$105,000 - $125,000
Position Type & Work Location
Full-time, exempt position. Work location: Charlottesville, VA (hybrid work arrangements may be available).
About UVA and the Community
The University of Virginia is a world-class public institution, combining rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and a vibrant community. Nestled in Charlottesville, VA, UVA offers a high quality of life with access to outdoor recreation, a thriving arts scene, and a strong sense of community.
Application Timeline
Review of applications will begin after the position has been posted for a minimum of five days.
Additional Requirements
This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
How to apply:
Please apply online through Online and search for R0081957. Complete the application and upload the following required materials:
Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.
- Cover letter
- Resume
Please note that multiple documents can be uploaded in the "Resume" box. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.
Reference Check Process
Reference checks will be conducted via SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.
Contact
For questions about this position, please contact the recruiter. Bill Crane at Xer5ff@virginia.edu
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.
Salary : $105,000 - $125,000