Director, Research Governance & Analytics

The Director of Research Data Governance & Analytics leads JAX's research and education data strategy and works closely with stakeholders to advance JAX data capabilities through the development and implementation of governance, use, and AI initiatives. Reporting to the Vice President of Research Administration, this position provides oversight and direction of data management standards, integrity, accessibility, and regulatory compliance throughout the data lifecycle and across the organization's research applications and systems ecosystem. Working closely with researchers and administrators, the Director plays a critical role in driving data-driven decision making at JAX. Remote with travel as needed Key Responsibilities (What you contribute): Develop a research data framework in collaboration with stakeholders; create and execute a master research data project plan to implement data collection, operations, reporting, and analytics strategies. Serve as the institutional official responsible for collaboration and coordination across IT, Security, Legal, Compliance, Research, Administration, and Services teams and partner with data-related committees, subject matter experts, and operations teams to implement research data management, including the optimal integration of tools, applications, and technology solutions throughout the research data ecosystem. Facilitate stakeholder engagement to establish and maintain the research data governance infrastructure, policies, standards, and practices; collaborate with stakeholders to foster trust and shared responsibility for research data governance and management. Develop standardized and consistent data governance policies, practices, and procedures that promote information sharing, collaboration, and innovation consistent with ethical, compliance, and security requirements; provide data requirement documents and resources, including, e.g., data definitions/ontologies, data lineage/provenance, workflows, metadata forms, data models, protocols, etc. Promote a culture of data accuracy, transparency, and operational excellence within the research community; oversee the remediation, alignment, and rationalization of research data and metadata; provide oversight for sharing research data to ensure quality, traceability, and usability consistent with FAIR and CARE principles. Prepare and maintain research data governance documentation; monitor emerging data and AI regulations; identify and mitigate risks related to data governance and management; support audits and assessments. Lead the development of research analytics capabilities; define metrics and KPIs to assess research and educational outcomes, translating institutional strategy into measurable performance indicators aligned across programs and reporting requirements. Define, manage, and advance information management principles, policies, programs; create or use tools to track, categorize, and inventory research data; identify data management metrics and design data quality scorecards to monitor and improve data integrity. Establish requirements for reports, communications, and metrics dashboards, advise on the use of AI tools to contribute to continuous process improvements for data management and use across the research enterprise. Develop and deliver outreach, education, and training programs to foster data literacy, integrity, and stewardship. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (What you're good at): 10 years of technical experience, ideally in data governance and management BS degree required, master's preferred 5 or more years of progressive leadership of enterprise-wide programs and/or cross-functional teams Significant knowledge of data governance best practices, data management principles, data architecture, storage, and security requirements Experience executing strategic plans that involved integrating complex, cross-functional processes and information Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities and the ability to conduct independent data analysis Knowledge of regulatory compliance and policy development and education A strong commitment to a collaborative and inclusive decision making Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences

Pay Range:

$136,461 - $228,467 based on years of related experience

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.

Bar Harbor:

The Jackson Laboratory's 43-acre scenic Bar Harbor campus is nestled between the Gulf of Maine and the mountains of Acadia National Park. Some of the best hiking and biking in the world (over 50 square miles of mountains, lakes, views, and dramatic coastline) is accessible from our campus. We are one mile from downtown Bar Harbor, which offers a vibrant downtown district with a plethora of restaurants, shops, museums, and galleries.

Ellsworth:

The Charles E. Hewett Center in Ellsworth, Maine, is a state-of-the-art facility that serves researchers world wide. The facility represents the culmination of nine decades of unmatched experience and leadership in breeding and caring for laboratory mice. Ellsworth, Maine, is one of Maine's fastest growing cities. With a growth rate of nearly 20%, Ellsworth is a bustling year-round community and acts as a hub for surrounding towns. It is located nearby Acadia National Park and hosts numerous special events, concerts and festivals each year. Residents have access to fabulous shopping, recreation, museums, galleries, and dining at a variety of independent restaurants.

Farmington:

JAX Genomic Medicine is transforming medicine by improving patient care, lowering costs, and increasing life span and health span. JAX Genomic Medicine's research focuses on the complex genetic causes of disease and on the development of genomic solutions tailored to each person's unique genetic makeup. JAX Genomic Medicine sits on a 17-acre site on the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center. The 183,500-square-foot facility opened in the fall of 2014. Now, it houses over 300 biomedical researchers, technicians, and support staff in state-of-the-art computing facilities and laboratories. In Connecticut, JAX resides in the scenic town of Farmington, in the state's capitol region. The Hartford region, which offers some of the best public schools in the country, is made up of both bigger cities and smaller, charming historic New England towns. JAX Genomic Medicine is also geographically located within 2 hours of Boston and New York and is close to multiple transportation systems, including bus lines, highways, railroads and international airports.

Sacramento:

The JAX® Mice, Clinical and Research Services facility is located in Sacramento, the state capital of California. Sacramento is less than a two-hour drive from San Francisco, Napa Valley, and scenic Lake Tahoe, and a short flight to both Los Angeles and Orange County. Sacramento is the birthplace of the nation's Farm to Fork movement, and offers excellent restaurants, gastro-pubs, wineries, theaters, and museums.

Outdoor activities are plentiful:

Boating, white water rafting, and riding the scenic bicycle trails are popular. Housing and other costs of living are more affordable in Sacramento and its surrounding suburbs than in most other neighboring areas in the North Bay, making Sacramento one of the hottest housing markets in the country year after year.

Augusta:

JAX's Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) is located in Augusta, Maine, in the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC), at Maine General Hospital. It began operations in 2016 with three overarching goals: to provide cancer genomic testing for Maine cancer patients; to develop and deliver physician education about clinical genomic cancer diagnostics; and to build a network in Maine of oncology practices conducting studies in genomic medicine.