General Statement of Duties:
The Director of Data Governance is responsible for expanding, enhancing, and coordinating Framingham State University's data governance program to ensure that institutional data are trustworthy and useful for analysis, reporting, and decision-making. This role ensures that policies, data management practices, and oversight of institutional data produce reliable, well-defined, accessible data assets for people and systems to explore, navigate, and utilize.
As a leader in fostering a data-informed culture, the Director works collaboratively with stakeholders across academic and administrative units to establish and sustain a governance framework that spans financial, human resources, student records, enrollment management, advancement, and other institutional data domains.
This position is responsible for maintaining a catalog of institutional data assets and a glossary of semantic definitions, to ensure clarity, consistency, and appropriate data usage. Additionally, this role educates stakeholders on best practices in data management and responsible use, empowering them to confidently access, interpret, and apply institutional data in their work.
Supervision Received: Associate Provost
Supervision Exercised: May supervise employees of lower rank. No direct reports currently assigned.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead data governance initiatives and facilitate communication across academic and administrative units, fostering a collaborative community of practice among data trustees, stewards, custodians, and personnel within Institutional Effectiveness, Institutional Research, and Information Technology Services.
Acts as the subject matter expert for the university regarding the interpretation, implementation and compliance with data governance policies and regulations.
Formulates and proposes policies to the university governance bodies.
Develop and maintain a learning and development curriculum to train data stewards, custodians, and other key stakeholders on data governance principles, policies, and best practices.
Lead the identification, development, and socialization of strategic data initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and priorities.
Monitor trends and advancements in data governance, advising university leadership on best practices and recommending strategic improvements.
Serve as the university's subject matter expert on data governance policies, regulatory compliance, and institutional data stewardship.
Propose, develop, and formalize policies related to data governance, ensuring proper review and approval through university governance processes.
Develop and maintain guidance documentation, including usage agreements, data access instructions, and best practice guidelines.
Oversee the data stewardship structure, defining roles and responsibilities while providing ongoing support to data stewards.
Maintain and oversee the institutional data catalog and glossary of semantic definitions, ensuring clarity, consistency, and appropriate data usage across the University.
Regularly update and refine the data catalog and glossary in collaboration with Data Stewards and other institutional stakeholders to reflect evolving terminology and governance standards.
Provide training and support to Data Trustees, Data Stewards, Data Custodians, and Users to ensure they understand data governance policies, appropriate data usage, and best practices in data management.
Develop educational resources and conduct workshops to empower stakeholders to confidently access, interpret, and apply institutional data in analysis, reporting, and decision-making.
Stay informed on emerging trends in data governance and recommend improvements to enhance Framingham State's data governance program.
Other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Special Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
All of the work associated with the duties and responsibilities for this position is ordinarily performed at Framingham State's main campus, and may be done periodically from a remote location consistent with the conditional provisions specified within University's Telework Guidelines and in accordance with an approved Telework Agreement.
Additional Information:
This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit with a union title of Director. The anticipated annual starting salary is $100,000. This is an externally funded position through the Massachusetts SUCCESS Fund. Ongoing employment is contingent upon continued funding.
Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.
Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability status, Veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.
Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Instructions:
Candidates must apply online by submitting:
Cover Letter,
Resume/CV,
Equity and Inclusion Statement*,
Names and contact information for three (3) professional references (references are not contacted automatically upon submission of application).
*The Equity and Inclusion Statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidate application materials.
For best consideration, please submit application materials by April 13, 2025. The review of applications may continue beyond that date and until the position is filled, at the discretion of the search committee.
Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.
Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and five years of related experience; or a combination of education and related experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of data governance concepts, techniques, processes, and applications.
Knowledge and experience of data architecture, business intelligence, and analytics.
Knowledge of higher education institutions and experience with enterprise data in a university context.
Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate constituencies that span multiple organizational boundaries.
Demonstrated excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills.
Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem-solving.
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships.
Excellent writing skills and abilities to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.
Strong project planning and management skills.
Experience in or knowledge of business process improvement methodology.
Ability to act independently and as part of a team. A willingness to be flexible and adapt to different stakeholder needs and organizational cultures.
Additional Qualifications:
Experience in higher education or working with student information systems (e.g., Banner).
Familiarity with data governance frameworks and principles.
Knowledge of integration platforms like Ethos or similar technologies.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Candidates with bilingual language skills in Portuguese and English or Spanish and English are strongly encouraged to apply.
Bachelor's degree and five years of related experience
Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - meeting a public need to promote the public good. At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs, and while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve, and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham, and so much more. FSU is a proudly public and truly transformative institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded, but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.
FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate and professional students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, and professional fields, and enrolls 48% BIPOC students and 54% first-generation college students in our undergraduate programs. We are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of equity and antiracism. This commitment has earned FSU seven Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity and led to our recognition in the 2024 Great Colleges to Work For program. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.
FSU is ideally situated between Boston and Worcester on land originally stewarded by the Nipmuc people for thousands of years. FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.
Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.
Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.