Key Responsibilities:

• Enterprise Data Strategy & Leadership:

  • In partnership with CTO, develop and execute a comprehensive data strategy that aligns with NCAA’s mission and business objectives.
  • Report directly to the CTO and collaborate with senior executives to define long-term roadmaps for data, analytics, and AI initiatives.
  • Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing, cross-functional team—including directors, data engineers, data scientists, machine learning engineers, BI analysts, and AI specialists.

• Data Architecture, Engineering & Integration:

  • Oversee the design and implementation of scalable, robust data architectures and enterprise cloud data warehouses.
  • Ensure seamless integration of diverse data sources through optimized data pipelines and modern integration platforms.

• Data Governance, Quality & Security:

  • Establish and enforce enterprise-wide data governance policies, data quality standards, and security measures in compliance with regulations such as GDPR and CCPA.
  • Oversee master data management and metadata strategies to maintain data integrity and consistency across the organization.

• Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Analytics:

  • Drive the development, deployment, and continuous improvement of machine learning models and AI-driven solutions using advanced tools such as TensorFlow, Python, and scikit-learn.
  • Translate complex data insights into actionable strategies that enhance NCAA’s operations and competitive advantage.

• Capital Projects & Application Managed Services (AMS):

  • Lead and manage capital projects to implement cutting-edge data capabilities, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
  • Oversee application-managed services to provide robust support and operational excellence across all internal data functions.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

  • Collaborate with product, program, and business units to understand and meet their data requirements.
  • Communicate complex technical strategies to non-technical stakeholders and senior leadership.

• Culture & Organizational Excellence:

  • Foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous learning, modeling leadership and resource allocation excellence.
  • Prioritize initiatives and manage resources to maximize the impact of NCAA’s data and AI investments.

Technical Skills & Expertise:

• Data Architecture & Engineering:

  • Extensive experience designing scalable data architectures and managing enterprise data warehouses (e.g., Snowflake, Informatica, Databricks).
  • Proven expertise in building and optimizing ETL/ELT pipelines and ensuring seamless data integrations.

• Data Governance & Security:

  • Deep knowledge of data governance frameworks, master data management, and data quality best practices.
  • Proven track record in implementing data security measures and maintaining regulatory compliance.

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning:

• • Advanced proficiency in AI and machine learning technologies, including Python, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, and related frameworks.
  • Demonstrated experience in deploying and scaling AI-driven business solutions.

• Cloud & Integration Technologies:

  • Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and container orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes).
  • Expertise in integration tools and methodologies to support complex, heterogeneous data environments.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, or a science degree.
• An advanced degree (Master’s) is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of eight years of progressive IT leadership experience, with significant exposure to data architecture, analytics, AI, governance, and security.
• 10+ years of experience, preferred.
• Proven track record in managing cross-functional data initiatives and capital projects that deliver measurable business impact.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including non-technical executives.
• Demonstrated success in managing large IT budgets and making strategic technology investments.
• Estimated travel: <10%.
• This position is based at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, Indiana. The current work environment is hybrid: 3 days in-office, 2 days remote.

Job Competencies:

• Effective Communication: Can exchange ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is understood with clarity and purpose.
• Drives Vision and Purpose: Communicates a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action by: Talking about future possibilities in a positive way. Creating milestones and symbolizing support behind the vision. Showing personal commitment to the vision.
• Managerial Courage: Provides current, direct, complete, and “actionable” positive and corrective feedback to others, lets people know where they stand, faces up to people problems on any person or situation quickly and directly, is not afraid to take negative action when necessary.
• Stakeholder Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders, gets first-hand stakeholder information and uses it for improvements in products and services, acts with stakeholders in mind, establishes and maintains effective relationships with stakeholders and gains their trust and respect through honesty, integrity, authenticity, and inclusivity.
• Strategic Agility: Sees ahead clearly, can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately, has broad knowledge and perspective, is future oriented, can articulately paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods, can create competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans.