Director, Data & Analytics

Director, Data & Analytics

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

About the Job

MJK Connections is partnering with Sunward on this highly impactful Director, Data & Analytics role!

The Director, Data & Analytics is responsible for advancing Sunward Federal Credit Union's data, business intelligence, and analytical capabilities. This role develops and executes the roadmap for data management, governance, and enablement- ensuring the long-term and reliability of enterprise information assets. The Director leads teams across Data Engineering & Architecture, Business Intelligence, and Data Governance to unify data standards, improve accessibility, and support data-driven decision making across the organization.

Essential Functions

• Oversee daily operations, workflow, and team performance within the Data Analytics department, ensuring alignment with departmental and organizational goals.
• Provide clear direction, constructive feedback, and professional development to foster team effectiveness and accountability.
• Recruit, onboard, and develop high-performing team members, providing coaching, skill-building, and growth opportunities.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented team culture consistent with the Credit Union's values.
• Develop and implement the Credit Union's Data & Analytics roadmap, translating enterprise strategy into actionable departmental initiatives.
• Lead teams across Data Engineering, Data Architecture, and Business Intelligence to deliver high-quality, reliable, and accessible data assets.
• Oversee and refine data governance practices to ensure stewardship, data quality, and adherence to regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Design and manage enterprise data frameworks that establish consistent definitions and trusted reporting standards.
• Direct the creation, maintenance, and distribution of dashboards, reports, and analytics tools that provide actionable insights for business and operational decisions.
• Partner with business leaders to understand data needs and deliver insights that inform strategic and operational outcomes.
• Foster a data-centric culture by promoting self-service analytics, data literacy, and informed decision-making across teams.
• Manage the department's budget, staffing, and other resources to ensure efficient and effective delivery of analytics services.
• Ensure data privacy, security, and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
• Identify operational or team-level issues, implement corrective actions, and report outcomes to senior leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned, supporting the department's strategic and operational objectives.

Job Requirements

Experience and Education

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in data analytics, business intelligence, or related disciplines.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing technical teams.
• Experience within financial services or credit unions preferred.
• Experience with cloud-based data platforms (AWS, Azure, Snowflake, or similar) preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, statistics, business administration, or related field required, or directly related equivalent experience in lieu of a degree.

Leadership Competencies

• Strong leadership and team management skills, including the ability to recruit, develop, and retain high-performing teams.
• Ability to foster a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented team culture aligned with the Credit Union's values.
• Excellent communication, influence, and collaboration skills to partner effectively across departments.
• Practices active listening, provides constructive feedback, and supports professional growth and skill development.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives, prioritize effectively, and guide teams through change.
• Capable of translating enterprise strategy into actionable department-level objectives and ensuring team alignment with organizational goals.
• Builds trust, reinforces accountability, and motivates staff to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of data architecture, integration, governance principles, and enterprise data frameworks.
• Deep knowledge of data warehousing and relational database systems (MS SQL Server, Oracle, or similar).
• Proficiency with business intelligence and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Looker).
• Proficiency with AWS data ecosystem, particularly Amazon Redshift, S3, and related tools; familiarity with cloud platforms such as Azure or Snowflake preferred.
• Working knowledge of data privacy laws and regulations (e.g., ISO, GDPR, CCPA) and their application to operational processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration tools.
• Knowledge of resource planning, budget management, and staff development principles.
• Awareness of emerging data technologies, analytics platforms, and best practices.
• Understanding of regulatory, compliance, and operational risk considerations related to enterprise data and analytics.

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business insights.
• Strong operational and technical acumen, including process improvement, workflow optimization, and performance monitoring.
• Ability to balance operational needs, compliance requirements, and team capabilities to achieve departmental outcomes.
• Proficient in resource planning, budget management, and vendor oversight to support efficient and effective department operations.
• Skilled in implementing corrective actions, resolving operational issues, and ensuring consistency and quality of service delivery.
• Adaptable to evolving technologies, tools, and platforms while maintaining focus on operational efficiency, compliance, and data quality.
• Capable of identifying and mitigating operational and regulatory risks related to data and analytics processes.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during meetings or computer work.
• Use of standard office equipment (computer, phone, printer, etc.).
• Occasional attendance at off-site meetings, conferences, or trainings.
• Work primarily in a climate-controlled office environment.