Director of Data, Planning & Analytics

Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of Data, Planning & Analytics  to join their team.  

About this Opportunity  

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Institutional Analytics & Decision Support, the Director of Data, Planning & Analytics conducts strategic evaluation of data and analytical resources available and provides expert guidance on enterprise data, reporting, and analytics planning tools. The Director works at the nexus of institutional finance, budgeting, and academic resource planning, translating complex data into intelligence that drives executive decision-making. 

The Director leads a high-impact team within Institutional Analytics & Decision Support (IADS), a unit of the University of Washington’s Finance, Planning & Budgeting division. This role directs a team of data analysts, report developers, and analytics professionals engaged in activities including complex report development, business analysis, data analysis, analytics tools, and the delivery of secure, reliable information to support decision-making. This position leads a current team of 6 FTE, with potential additional FTE expected to join upon finalization of the university’s budget model transition, giving the Director an opportunity to shape both the culture and structure of an expanding team. 

This role is responsible for advancing the team’s capabilities across three integrated domains: financial reporting and data delivery, analytical planning and decision support, and visual analytics and data storytelling. This includes establishing long-term strategies for data tools, and analytics solutions; making recommendations regarding data strategy, system enhancements, and potential AI integrations that support the reporting and analytical functions of the university. 

Key Responsibilities 

Team Leadership and Organizational Development (40%) 

• Provide strategic direction, day-to-day oversight, and performance management for a team of 6 FTE, including Business Intelligence professionals, Report Developers, and Data Analysts. Assign work, set priorities, and ensure the team delivers high-quality operational and analytical data products on time and aligned to stakeholder needs and institutional priorities 

• Direct a team of data and analytics professionals responsible for report development, data analysis, and BI analytics solution delivery, ensuring effective resource allocation and alignment with enterprise needs 

• Define and evolve team roles, workflows, and competency frameworks to support the transition from a primarily reactive reporting function to a proactive decision support organization and modern computing and analytics function 

• Foster a team culture grounded in analytical rigor, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and service to institutional stakeholders. Model and promote a proactive, insight-oriented approach to financial data and planning questions 

Reporting, Planning & Analytics (55%) 

• Oversee the development, maintenance, and delivery of financial and operational reports from enterprise systems including Workday Finance, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and fitness for purpose across FPB and campus administrative audiences 

• Lead the design and delivery of visual analytics products, dashboards, and data stories that address institutional financial priorities and academic portfolio questions for CFO, President/Provost, Board of Regents, and FPB leadership 

• Develop and sustain planning and decision support capabilities for FPB leadership, including analytical frameworks for budget model monitoring, operating budget analysis, capital planning, and academic financial planning. Collaborate with institutional Reporting and Analysis partners to support integrated financial and academic planning analyses 

• Expand data delivery capabilities beyond structured reporting to include curated datasets and analytical data sets that enable FPB teams and campus administrators to address operational and strategic financial questions. Support data documentation and reporting governance practices within the FPB data domain and ensure alignment with data management and governance standards 

Other duties as assigned (5%) 

Required Qualifications  

To be considered for this opportunity, your application must demonstrate that you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Statistics, Public Administration, Data Science, or related field and 6 years of progressive experience in financial reporting, analytics, or institutional planning, including at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role with responsibility for directing teams, projects, or functional areas 

• Equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may substitute for degree 

Additional Qualifications 

• Proven track record of leading and developing teams of reporting, analytics, or data professionals, including the ability to lead through organizational change and advance team capability and performance in an inclusive and collaborative environment 

• Track record of designing and delivering executive-level financial and operational reporting solutions, with understanding of financial data structures and systems in higher education 

• Experience working with enterprise financial systems and reporting environments, with expertise in querying, interpreting, and synthesizing large, complex financial datasets across multiple systems or sources 

• Advanced proficiency with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, or similar) and demonstrated ability to develop executive-ready analytics, dashboards, and data products 

• Demonstrated knowledge of higher education administration, particularly in finance, budgeting, student financials, or academic resource management 

• Experience providing strategic leadership and long-term planning direction, including experience transitioning teams from reactive service delivery to proactive, insight-driven models and establishing forward-looking analytics or operational strategies 

• Excellent oral and written communication and collaboration skills with the ability to convey complex financial and technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences 

• Ability to operate effectively both independently and in collaborative, cross-functional environments, managing multiple priorities and deadlines 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree or equivalent advanced training in Finance, Economics, Data Science, Public Administration, or a related field 

• Hands-on experience with Workday Finance reporting, including familiarity with Workday financial data structures, report types, and data availability 

• Familiarity with higher education financial data structures including chart of accounts, cost center hierarchies, fund accounting, and academic program financial reporting 

About the Team  

Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) encompasses the major central financial, planning, analytical, and budgeting functions for the University of Washington, including:    

• Financial Stewardship & Operations    

• Institutional Analytics & Decision Support    

• Budget, Policy & Strategy    

• University Business Service 

• Real Estate