Senior Director, Data & Performance

As the Senior Director of Data & Performance, you’ll lead  the design, governance, and continuous improvement of data systems, analytics tools, and performance reporting infrastructure for Acelero, Inc. This role ensures that the organization's data practices promote transparency, compliance, and strategic decision-making across Acelero Learning delegates and Shine Early Learning partners. 

Why Acelero?

Our mission is bold: To design and deliver research and evidence-based approaches to eliminate the gaps between young childrenʼs inherent potential and their achievement in school and life. With our partners, we accelerate child and family outcomes that honor all of the aspirations and cultures of the communities we serve. 

Our values: Data-Informed Learning; Transparent & Open Communication; Growth Mindset; Championing Equality; Caring Teams & Communities.

Your Role:

As a Senior Director you will manage a centralized team responsible for dashboard development, recurring and ad hoc reporting, and the integration of data systems across the network — and serve as the primary data partner to delegate leadership, including Delegate Vice Presidents, local Boards of Directors, and AHSGAC.

What You’ll Do:

Data Governance & Infrastructure

• Establish and maintain organizational data governance frameworks, including data quality standards, ownership roles, documentation practices, and privacy safeguards.

• Lead the development and management of end-to-end data lifecycle infrastructure — including ingestion, transformation, validation, storage, automation, and visualization — in collaboration with IT, ensuring seamless systems integration and automation across platforms to support scalable, real-time analytics and decision-making.

• Maintain database structure, field alignment, and access protocols in collaboration with IT and database administrators to ensure data usability, reporting accuracy, and compliance with governance policies.

• Ensure compliance with data privacy laws, security protocols, and internal risk mitigation measures.

Dashboard, Reporting & Analytics Oversight

• Supervise the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the organizational ecosystem of dashboards — including MBE, MBO, MBI, and AceleroStat — for internal teams, delegates, and external partners.

• Oversee the production of recurring reports and custom analytics requests from internal teams, delegates, and Shine partners.

• Ensure timely end-of-month reporting to the Office of Head Start, maintaining accuracy, completeness, and compliance with federal reporting requirements across all delegate programs.

• Lead the scope, sequence, and fidelity of product development for the Annual Program Information Report (PIR) — ensuring the PIR reflects accurate program data, meets federal specifications, and is executed with consistency across the network.

• Ensure readiness, accuracy, and completion of Head Start data submissions, including the PIR, Enrollment and Attendance Dashboards, and Federal Monitoring Review data requests.

• Translate data into actionable insights and communicate performance findings clearly to executive audiences, including senior leadership and the Board of Directors.

Data Product Innovation & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Lead the design and development of new data and performance products that advance organizational decision-making, delegate accountability, and external reporting — moving beyond maintaining existing systems to actively identifying where new tools, visualizations, or analytical frameworks would create meaningful value.

• Partner closely with the Product Team on the design, scoping, and development of data products — serving as the primary LIT voice on data architecture decisions, ensuring that products reflect how data is actually generated, used, and interpreted across the delegate network.

• Bring an innovation lens to the full data and performance portfolio: regularly assess whether existing dashboards, reports, and data tools are still fit for purpose, and lead the process of retiring, replacing, or redesigning them when they are not.

• Identify emerging technologies, analytical methodologies, and sector-wide data practices that could strengthen Acelero's data infrastructure, and make the case for adoption when the evidence warrants it.

• Ensure that product development decisions are grounded in implementation reality — not theoretical design — by maintaining close feedback loops with Directors of Analysis, delegate leaders, and program staff who use data tools in practice.

Federal Planning & Needs Assessment Support

• Provide data collection resources, infrastructure, and analytical support for Community Needs Assessment (CNA) updates and five-year grant renewal planning — ensuring data systems are positioned to generate the evidence base these processes require.

• Collaborate with program leadership and delegate teams to ensure CNA and five-year update processes are grounded in timely, accurate, and well-organized data.

Delegate Engagement & Governance Interface

• Serve as the primary data partner and liaison to delegate leadership, including Delegate Vice Presidents, local Boards of Directors, and AHSGAC, ensuring data and performance strategies align with local and organizational priorities.

• Present performance data, insights, and strategic recommendations to AHSGAC and the Policy Council, ensuring transparency, accessibility, and relevance to governance decision-making.

• Collaborate with Directors of Analysis to ensure data systems and dashboards reflect the realities and priorities of program operations across all service areas.

• Participate actively in delegate start-up, expansion, and transition planning, ensuring alignment of data systems and infrastructure with implementation strategies and compliance requirements.

• Represent the Data & Performance function in cross-delegate convenings, planning sessions, and the Annual Joint Board, Policy Council, and Staff Planning, Training, and Elections Event.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee compliance-related reporting and dashboards that support Head Start monitoring, licensing, and internal audits.

• Partner with the SD, Compliance & Program Fidelity to ensure compliance metrics are integrated with quality metrics in all reporting, and that data systems support corrective action monitoring and regulatory readiness.

• Leverage data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities across service areas and delegate performance.

• Lead standardization of reporting templates, data definitions, and KPIs across the organization to ensure consistent interpretation of key metrics.

• Oversee the creation and maintenance of data documentation, including data dictionaries, SOPs, and internal guides to support recurring reporting, dashboard development, and compliance tracking.

Team Management & Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, overseeing work allocation, goal setting, project timelines, and professional development across the Data & Performance function.

• Direct reports include: Manager, Data Design & Reporting; Specialist, Data Design & Reporting; Director of Analysis, CC; Director of Analysis, WW/MM; Director of Analysis, CP; Director of Analysis, DE/SC .

• Establish formal feedback mechanisms with delegate leadership on satisfaction with Directors of Analysis and their teams, using insights to inform coaching and annual performance evaluations.

• Build data literacy and data use capacity among delegate leaders and LIT staff through training, tools, and technical assistance.

Supervision

• Supervises assigned department personnel including hiring, training, scheduling, evaluating, and ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and completion of work performed by direct reports.

• Meets with assigned staff regularly to identify and resolve problems, manage projects, track goals, and review work processes and procedures.

• Represents team and/or department at meetings, events, and training as required.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in data science, analytics, education policy, or related field is a strong asset.

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in data analytics, performance management, or systems leadership.

• At least three (3) years in a management or supervisory role, including leading cross-functional data teams.

• Head Start, early education, public sector, or human services data experience is highly valued.

• Experience in data governance, data pipeline development, or ETL processes.

• Physical exam and background checks required.

• Travel up to 10%, required for work-related meetings, training, and partner support.

• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

When/Where/How Much:

When: Summer 2026

Where: Remote with 10% travel

How Much: This positions pays up to $140,000 + comprehensive benefits package

Why You’ll Love Working with Us:

• A meaningful mission that drives real change in the lives of children and families

• A collaborative, inclusive team that values your growth and well-being

• Robust benefits that support your total wellbeing, including:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options to fit your needs

  • Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions up to $400/individuals & $800/family annually

  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to 3% company match 

  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance

  • Up to $500 per year in Professional Development Reimbursements

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling and mental wellness support

  • Wellness Programs, including virtual fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes

  • Pet Insurance, Legal Assistance, ID Theft Protection, and Employee Discount Perks
     

Why Join Acelero Learning?

At Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, we're committed to transforming early childhood education through innovation, continuous learning, and a relentless focus on quality. You'll join a collaborative team that values curiosity, creativity, and continuous improvement while making a meaningful impact on the educators who shape children's futures every day.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy workplace.