Southwestern University -Chief Data Analytics Officer

Southwestern University , a preeminent independent liberal arts University in Texas founded in 1840 and ranked number 83 in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report best liberal arts colleges list invites applications for its first Chief Data Analytics Officer. The anticipated start date for this position is January 1, 2027. Southwestern has 1434 students, a budget of more than $70M and an endowment of $403M. Southwestern is included in The Princeton Review’s 2025 Best 390 Colleges Guide and is recognized as #2 in the nation and #1 in Texas for Best Career Services. This achievement is reflected in the success of its graduates, with 95% employed or enrolled in graduate school within 10 months of graduation.

Reporting directly to the President, the Chief Data Analytics Officer (CDAO) serves as the University’s senior leader for institution-wide data strategy, reporting, and analytics and will ensure compliance reporting and collaborate with senior staff to support data-driven decisions that ensure institutional growth, student and academic success, and contribute to the long-term financial health of the University. As a strategic and operational leader, the CDAO oversees data governance, business intelligence, analytics, institutional reporting, predictive modeling, and enterprise performance measurement while ensuring the accuracy, security, accessibility, and responsible use of institutional data.

As the Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO), you will partner with senior leadership and colleagues across academic affairs, enrollment management, finance, information technology, student affairs, advancement, and other key administrative areas to build a culture where data drives meaningful decisions. You will have the opportunity to shape how the institution uses data and analytics to inform strategy, strengthen operations, and advance institutional priorities across the organization. The successful candidate will develop and implement university-wide processes for disseminating data requested by divisions, departments, and administrative units, ensuring information is delivered in a timely, actionable, and impactful manner that advances institutional priorities and strategic goals.

Required Qualifications:

The CDAO must possess a master's degree (doctorate preferred) in statistics, data science, economics, social science research, or a related quantitative field, along with a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in institutional analytics, institutional research, or statistical analysis, preferably within higher education.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in managing large-scale datasets, applying advanced statistical modeling, and predictive analytics, and overseeing institutional, state, and federal data reporting requirements. IPEDS knowledge is highly desirable.

The role requires strong analytical and strategic thinking, data governance expertise, exceptional leadership and clear communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights that support executive decision-making and institutional effectiveness.

The ability to analyze and deliver complex institutional data in a clear concise manner is required, understanding the information will be leveraged by executive leadership to make high-stakes decisions.

Desired Skills and Attributes:

 · Proven leadership experience in data analytics, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.

 · Strategic and analytical thinker who can translate complex data into actionable insights and communicate trends and key findings to senior leadership.

 · Exceptional communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.

 · Strong technology expertise and demonstrated ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems and tools.

 · Strong research, data organization, and presentation skills, with current knowledge of higher education, data analytics, and artificial intelligence trends.

Please review the comprehensive profile of the position which includes greater detail about the University and the position.

  Nominations and Applications Process:

Nominations and applications are invited for this position. Review of applications will begin immediately, and candidate material received by October 2, 2026 will be assured full consideration although recruitment will continue until an appointment is announced. Applications (including a cover letter and resume) must be uploaded to: . Lapovsky Consulting is assisting Southwestern University in this search. To submit a nomination or to request more information regarding this search, contact:

Joy Yablonsky

Senior Executive Search Consultant

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  Southwestern University is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.