Director of Data Analytics and Operational Initiatives

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Job Posting Title:

Director of Data Analytics and Operational Initiatives

Position Type:

Professional / Unclassified

Department:

LSUAM Engineering - Department of Administration (Ami Parks McGucken (00003303))

Work Location:

2214 Patrick F. Taylor Hall

Pay Grade:

Professional

   

Job Description:

25% Develop and maintain data visualizations, dashboards, and executive reporting frameworks that support data-driven decision-making by College leadership.

20% Lead the design and implementation of centralized, standardized workflows across operational and administrative functions (e.g., inventory management, procurement, HR processing, budget and financial operations) to drive alignment and efficiency College-wide.

10% Partner with the Dean's Office and unit leadership across the College to assess current operational and administrative processes, identify gaps, inefficiencies, and pain points, and define priority areas for improvement.

10% Serve as the primary liaison to the coding/development team, translating operational requirements into clear functional and technical specifications for new or updated electronic workflows, tracking systems, and databases.

10% Manage the full lifecycle of operational improvement projects — planning, execution, monitoring, risk identification and mitigation — ensuring initiatives are delivered on time, within budget, and to quality standards.

10% Maintain, support, and iteratively improve previously implemented workflows and systems based on user feedback and evolving business needs, while continuously identifying and advancing the next operational priority.

10% Lead change management efforts for new processes and workflows, including developing training materials, documentation, and job aids, and designing and delivering training sessions/classes to drive successful adoption across the College.

5% Prepare and present regular progress reports, performance metrics, and recommendations to the Dean's Office and other key stakeholders. Other duties as assigned.

Minumum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Data Analytics, Engineering, or a related field with 7 years of related experience.

Specific Experience: Demonstrated experience leading process improvement or operational initiatives, managing projects, and working with technical/development teams to implement data or workflow systems.

LSU vales skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply--a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Business Administration, Data Analytics, Engineering, or a related field with 9+ years of related experience, including supervisory experience.

Specific Experience: Experience in higher education administration; experience with data visualization/BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau); familiarity with process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma); experience defining specifications for software/workflow development; experience leading organizational change management and developing/delivering end-user training programs.

Preferred Certifications/Licenses: PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent certification

Additional Job Description:

Special Instructions:

The Director of Data Analytics and Operational Initiatives serves as a strategic leader within the College of Engineering, driving operational excellence and data-informed decision-making across the College's administrative and business functions. This position partners with the Dean's Office and unit leadership to identify operational gaps, inefficiencies, and pain points, then leads the redesign of processes into streamlined, centralized, and standardized workflows.

A core function of this role is translating business and operational requirements into technical specifications, working directly with the coding/development team to build and deploy electronic workflows, tracking tools, and reporting systems that increase efficiency, accountability, and visibility across the College. This includes areas such as inventory management, procurement, HR and budget processing, facilities requests, and other administrative operations.

This position operates iteratively: once a workflow or system is implemented, the Director maintains and refines it based on user feedback and changing needs, while simultaneously identifying and prioritizing the next opportunity for centralization, alignment, and process improvement across the College's operations.

The Director also serves as the College's change management lead for these initiatives, guiding faculty and staff through the adoption of new processes and systems. This includes developing training materials, documentation, and job aids, and designing and delivering training sessions and classes to ensure end users are equipped to successfully transition to and sustain new workflows.

Questions regarding this position can be directed to Ami McGucken at amcgucken@lsu.edu.

Skills Needed:

Adaptability, Collaboration, Communication, Leadership, Policy Development, Project Management, Resource Management, Risk Mitigation

   

Preferred Skills:

   

Posting Date:

August 25, 2026

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

December 23, 2026

Additional Position Information:

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

   

Essential Position (Y/N):

   

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

   

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

   

HCM Contact Information: