Director of Analytics and Data Science

Location: U.S., Montana strongly preferred (remote with travel)

Status: Full-time, regular, FLSA exempt

Reports to: Vice President – Program & Services

Organizational Overview

Healthcare stakeholders formed Big Sky Care Connect (BSCC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, in 2018 to operate a health information exchange (HIE) in Montana. BSCC enables the secure sharing of vital healthcare information to improve the speed, quality, safety, coordination, and cost of patient care. BSCC serves as a state-wide network and repository for patient health information, including comprehensive clinical and claims data, and offers HIE-related services to the Montana healthcare community, connecting providers, payors, and patients.

Position Overview

The Director of Analytics & Data Science leads BSCC's analytics platform and team, drives internal data science research to advance BSCC's methodology and analytic capabilities, and works directly with provider, payor, and state partners to deliver and develop analytics and data products that create value across the statewide HIE network. The position balances hands‑on technical leadership, applied research, and partner‑facing delivery to strengthen BSCC's role as Montana's trusted healthcare data convener.

Essential Functions

1. Analytics Platform & Team Management

Manage BSCC's analytics platform and the analytics team to ensure reliable, high-quality, and scalable delivery of data and analytics services across the organization.

1. Oversee the day‑to‑day operation, maintenance, and roadmap of BSCC's analytics platform, ensuring data quality, availability, and performance meet organizational and partner needs.
2. Lead, coach, and develop analytics team members, setting clear priorities, performance expectations, and professional growth plans.
3. Establish and maintain standard workflows, documentation, and quality‑control processes for analytics development and platform operations.
4. Manage analytics platform vendor relationships, licensing, and technical roadmap decisions in coordination with the Technology & Operations team.
5. Set and manage team priorities, workload, and capacity planning to ensure timely delivery of analytics projects and platform enhancements.
6. Establish metrics and reporting to track platform performance, team productivity, and delivery timelines; use these metrics to drive continuous improvement.
7. Partner with the BSCC executive team on budget planning, staffing needs, and resource allocation for the analytics function.
8. Ensure analytics platform practices align with applicable data governance, privacy, and security requirements (e.g., HIPAA).

1. Data Science Research

Conduct and guide internal data science research to strengthen BSCC's analytic methodology, expand the organization's data product capabilities, and generate insights that support Montana's healthcare community.

1. Design and conduct original analyses (e.g., predictive modeling, risk stratification, population health trends) that advance BSCC's data science capabilities.
2. Evaluate and adopt new analytic methods, tools, and technologies applicable to health information exchange and population health analytics.
3. Translate research findings into practical, deployable analytics products and recommendations for internal and partner use.
4. Support grant‑funded or externally funded research and evaluation initiatives as opportunities arise.
5. Maintain rigor and reproducibility in research methodology, including appropriate documentation and validation of analytic models.
6. Stay current on emerging trends in health data science, interoperability standards, and analytics best practices relevant to BSCC's mission.

1. Partner & Participant Analytics Delivery

Work directly with BSCC's provider, payor, and state partners to deliver and develop analytics and data products that meet partner needs and strengthen BSCC's value proposition.

1. Serve as the primary analytics point of contact for assigned partners and participants, understanding their data and reporting needs.
2. Collaborate with partners to design, develop, and refine dashboards, reports, and data products that support their clinical and operational goals.
3. Gather and incorporate partner feedback to improve data quality, platform usability, and analytics service delivery.
4. Present analytic findings and recommendations to partner organizations in clear, actionable terms for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
5. Coordinate with BSCC's Outreach and Program teams to identify opportunities to expand analytics offerings and partner engagement.
6. Support onboarding of new partners and participants onto BSCC's analytics platform and services.

1. Other duties as assigned

Perform other duties as assigned to support BSCC operations. This includes but is not limited to filling in for other leaders, directing special projects and events, and attending training and education.

Qualifications

Requires education and experience equivalent to a master's degree in data science, statistics, health informatics, public health, computer science, or a related field, and five years of experience in data science, analytics, or a related field, including experience leading a team or platform. A PhD in a relevant quantitative or health‑related field may substitute for a portion of the required experience.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience in a health information exchange (HIE), health information network, or healthcare analytics environment; supervisory or people‑management experience; proficiency with statistical programming (e.g., R, Python, SQL) and data visualization tools; knowledge of healthcare data exchange, privacy, and regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, data governance); familiarity with the Montana healthcare landscape.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Position works remotely within the United States and requires the ability to effectively use office equipment and technology.

Requires the ability to travel throughout Montana by automobile and travel nationally by commercial air to attend meetings, conferences, and partner engagements on an occasional basis.

The position requires the ability to communicate effectively, participate in meetings, and perform work in a professional office or virtual environment. Qualified candidates can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Key Competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors)

Knowledge (what BSCC leaders must understand)

1. Data science methodology: statistical modeling, predictive analytics, and research design applicable to health data.
2. Analytics platform operations: data pipelines, quality assurance, and platform reliability.
3. Healthcare data standards: clinical and claims data structures, interoperability standards, and data governance.
4. Quality and performance fundamentals: core concepts of quality, reliability, access, and service experience.
5. Data and measurement: leading vs. lagging indicators; how to interpret trends and separate signal from noise.
6. Stakeholder ecosystems: how to work effectively with executives, internal teams, vendors, and partner organizations.
7. People leadership and culture: accountability systems, engagement drivers, and psychological safety.

Skills (what you must be able to do)

1. Analytic and technical execution

• Design, build, and validate statistical and predictive models.
• Translate complex analytic findings into clear, actionable recommendations.

1. Team and platform management

• Set priorities, manage workload, and hold the team accountable to delivery timelines.
• Oversee platform performance, vendor relationships, and technical roadmap decisions.

1. Communication and influence

• Communicate clearly with executives, technical teams, and external partners.
• Build alliance through compelling narrative and credible data.

1. Partner and stakeholder management

• Build trust‑based relationships with provider, payor, and state partners.
• Manage expectations, gather feedback, and translate it into service improvements.

1. Performance management

• Establish dashboards and review cadences; drive corrective action when needed.
• Diagnose performance gaps and focus the team on the few actions that matter most.

1. Talent development

• Coach team members; give timely feedback; set clear expectations.
• Delegate effectively and build bench strength.

Abilities (what BSCC leaders can reliably handle)

1. Analytical rigor under ambiguity: design sound approaches with incomplete data and adapt quickly as conditions change.
2. Decision making and prioritization: integrate input, manage risk, and move work forward without delay.
3. Systems thinking: anticipate downstream impacts across people, process, technology, and incentives.
4. Accountability with compassion: hold high standards while meeting people as whole humans.
5. Change leadership: create clarity, pace change appropriately, and build commitment through engagement.
6. Executive presence and credibility: stay steady under pressure; communicate with confidence and humility.
7. Integrity and values alignment: align actions with values, protect confidentiality, and follow through on commitments.

Behaviors (How we expect BSCC leaders to show up each day)

1. Creates clarity: sets clear priorities and reinforces them consistently; creates role clarity and decision rights.
2. Runs an operating system: runs disciplined operating cadences (weekly metrics review, project check‑ins, quarterly planning).
3. Leads with presence: communicates in truth always, directly, and respectfully; addresses issues early.
4. Turns strategy into action: develops executable plans with clear deliverables, milestones, and accountability.
5. Leverages data: uses data as a learning tool (not a weapon) and test assumptions.
6. Builds partnerships: builds partnership across stakeholders; resolves conflicts early and makes tradeoffs transparent.
7. Develops people: develops people through coaching, feedback, and meaningful delegation.
8. Continuous improvement: sponsors continuous improvement and sustains gains over time.
9. Models integrity: keeps commitments; owns mistakes; protects confidentiality and maintains a calm leadership presence.

Work Authorization & Location Requirements

Incumbent must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. BSCC does not sponsor employment visas. This position is remote within the United States; candidates must reside and perform work within the U.S.

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