Data Strategy and Analytics Lead

We are seeking a high-level Data Strategy & Analytics Lead to shape and drive a modern, enterprise-wide data practice. This is a strategic, hands-on leadership role focused on improving digital services, strengthening data maturity, and enabling data-driven decision-making across multiple programs, teams, and business units. This is not a junior or mid-level analyst position. This role requires a leader who has grown from technical execution into enterprise strategy, with a proven track record designing data ecosystems, establishing governance practices, and influencing both technical and non-technical stakeholders at scale. This role exists to: • Build and scale a sustainable data practice across a complex organization • Create a unified data strategy aligned with organizational goals • Improve how services perform for end-users through analytics • Guide teams toward better measurement, dashboards, and KPIs • Modernize data flows, models, and architecture for reliability and scale • Mentor non-technical teams so they can use data confidently • Ensure data is collected, structured, governed, and applied effectively • Drive adoption of first-party data, behavioral analytics, and actionable insights • Lead cross-functional alignment between policy, operations, IT, and leadership You will be the strategic anchor who connects data, technology, and service design. Responsibilities Data Strategy & Leadership • Define and execute an organization-wide data strategy • Establish clear data priorities aligned with service, operational, and business objectives • Lead development of data governance, metadata standards, definitions, and quality rules • Recommend strategic uses of data, analytics, AI/ML, and measurement frameworks • Translate complex issues into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership Analytics, Measurement & Storytelling • Analyze behavioral, operational, and first-party data to identify opportunities • Develop KPI frameworks, maturity models, and impact measurement systems • Build and maintain dashboards, scorecards, and executive-facing presentations • Provide strategic insight that improves customer experience and service performance • Communicate findings to audiences with varying levels of data literacy Technical Strategy, Architecture & Maintenance • Oversee pipelines, data flows, and data architecture to ensure reliability and scalability • Maintain and extend analytics systems, including data lakes, warehouses, and ETL processes • Define standards for interoperability, lineage, data quality, and documentation • Integrate data from cloud, on-prem, CRM, CMS, and behavioral analytics platforms • Guide teams in adopting modern data stack technologies and best practices User Enablement & Data Culture • Lead training, office hours, and data literacy initiatives for non-technical staff • Help business teams confidently use data in everyday decision-making • Develop self-service analytics frameworks and best practices • Facilitate cross-team workshops for KPI alignment, insights, and service improvements Cross-Functional Collaboration • Collaborate with leadership, product teams, IT, policy, operations, and external partners • Serve as the bridge between technical teams and business functions • Align cross-department priorities and ensure cohesive data decision-making • Communicate decisions, roadmap progress, blockers, and insights to multiple stakeholders Required Experience Data Collection, Analysis & Insight (3+ years of measurable experience) • Behavioral analytics: web, CMS, CRM, first-party, GA4, search analytics • Identifying trends, service bottlenecks, and optimization opportunities • Quantitative and qualitative analysis, surveys, predictive modeling, user research • Turning complex data into compelling narratives and recommendations • KPI development, performance measurement, ROI analysis Technical Expertise (3+ years of measurable experience) • Managing data pipelines, ETL/ELT, and databases (SQL, cloud storage, data lakes) • Experience with Python or R for analysis, modeling, and automation • Familiarity with modern data stack tools (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, Synapse, Airflow) • Experience with metadata management, data modeling, data governance, and quality frameworks • Expertise in BI tools like Power BI or Tableau • Administering analytics and measurement platforms such as GA4, GTM, or equivalent Strategy, Leadership & Governance (3+ years of measurable experience) • Leading a data function, program, or practice (not just participating in one) • Presenting insights and strategies directly to leadership • Establishing governance standards, definitions, and documentation practices • Facilitating workshops, training, and multi-stakeholder alignment • Designing KPI frameworks, impact measurement systems, and maturity models • Ability to operate diplomatically across program, policy, product, and IT teams Preferred Qualifications • Experience in a large enterprise or public-sector environment • Knowledge of digital service delivery, service design, and customer experience measurement • Experience with machine learning or AI-assisted analytics • Understanding of data ethics, fairness, accessibility, and privacy practices • Experience with Salesforce, Sitecore, CMS platforms, or CRM data • Project management experience in Agile environments Who Succeeds in This Role The ideal candidate: • Thinks strategically, plans long-term, and sees the full end-to-end data lifecycle • Has grown from technical execution into enterprise strategy • Communicates clearly with both executives and non-technical staff • Thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments • Is curious, service-oriented, and passionate about using data to improve outcomes • Can balance hands-on work with strategy, facilitation, and leadership • • Client has stated there could be occasion for you to come onsite and they will not cover the cost of travel or hotel or anything any expenses are not reimbursed Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401K if located in GA or CA ABOUT ESG CONSULTING: ESG Consulting is an award-winning national provider of diversified information technology consulting services to Fortune 1000, public sector entities, and emerging growth firms nationwide. Founded in 1986, ESG offers more than 29 years of experience in the IT staffing, Engineering and consulting industry. While local to Atlanta we are headquartered in Santa Clara, we have opened offices nationwide and to this day are consistently re- evaluating and expanding our service offerings and geographic capabilities. Today, we serve most major metropolitan markets. ESG is an equal opportunity company. Our flexible management culture believes in creating a business environment that fosters personal and professional growth and achievement. We make ESG a place where people are treated not as employees but as "partners".