Associate Director of Data Analytics and Platform Services

The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at the University of Virginia seeks an 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 for maintaining and 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with school leadership and academic units to align analytics and reporting with institutional priorities.
• Create and maintain dashboards, 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 US News survey 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, including lakehouse/warehouse architecture, PySpark notebooks, 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 a small team of data analysts and engineers; serving as a player-coach who balances hands-on technical work with people leadership.
• 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 analysts or engineers.
• Strong proficiency in 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 in analytics methodologies 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 to data 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: 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 Job Profile J1476 - Information Technology Management 2 Career Stream and Level Management-M2 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.