Senior Director TBR Data Lab

For consideration, please complete an online application at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). .edu/hr/job-opportunities-t
-system-office

The Senior Director of the T  Data Lab provides strategic and operational leadership for the system’s data efforts. This role leads the design and execution of large‑scale data modernization efforts; establishes and maintains data standards; and oversees systemwide data collection, reporting, and infrastructure. The Senior Director also manages complex projects and coordinates the work of internal teams, colleges, and external partners to ensure that T ’s data environment is high‑quality and responsive to emerging needs.

In this role, the Senior Director engages regularly with system leaders, college partners, and research collaborators, serving as a key advisor on data strategy and the use of data to inform policy and practice. Research and data analysis are embedded across the Office of Policy & Strategy, and the Senior Director works closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Policy & Strategy to support the data needs of the division and other areas of T .

This position may have the opportunity to work remotely within the state of Tennessee, but with periodic visits to the T  System Office (Nashville, TN) at the employee’s expense, and potential travel to Tennessee T  colleges may be necessary.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive data strategy for T , informed by ongoing engagement with system, college, and external stakeholders.
• Supervise the T  Data Lab team and collaborate closely with leaders and staff in the Policy Lab and Innovation Lab to meet the research, data, and analytics needs of the T  system.
• Identify emerging data needs, assess feasibility, and set clear collection priorities, timelines, and approaches.
• Advance the modernization of T ’s data collection processes and data infrastructure to support an expansive, agile, and high‑quality data environment. Establish clear extraction practices to improve data consistency, reliability, and usability across the system.
• Manage large‑scale, systemwide data initiatives that expand the availability and usefulness of data while streamlining required reporting for colleges.
• Oversee the maintenance and evolution of student data standards and common data processes, working closely with system and college staff to design and implement new or revised data requirements.
• Strengthen data capacity across colleges by developing training strategies, guidance, and shared resources. Engage regularly with institutional research, admissions, records, and financial aid staff, and oversee the development of dashboards, data resources, and reporting supports.
• Serve as a trusted data resource and advisor to system staff, colleges, external agencies, and research partners. Guide the appropriate use of T  data and support data‑informed decision‑making.
• Cultivate data‑sharing partnerships and strong working relationships with state agencies and external partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate degree in data science, public policy, higher education, statistics, computer science, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressive professional experience in data strategy, analytics, institutional research, or a related field, including experience leading projects or teams.
• Experience working with higher education data, state or federal reporting, or other similar data environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading or contributing to data modernization efforts, such as system redesigns, data warehouse development, or reporting transformation.
• Demonstrated experience working across organizational boundaries, including with colleges, state agencies, or external research partners.
• Familiarity with student, enrollment, workforce, or postsecondary data systems.
• Experience supervising or mentoring data, research, or analytics staff.
• Technical fluency with tools such as SQL‑based databases, Power BI or similar visualization platforms, or statistical software, with an emphasis on guiding and reviewing work rather than daily hands‑on use.
• Familiarity with the…