Chief Data Officer

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance the Commonwealth s environmental resources while ensuring and promoting a clean energy future for the state s residents. Through the stewardship of open space, protection of environmental resources, and enhancement of clean energy, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.

Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to combine energy and environmental agencies under one Cabinet secretary. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) serves Commonwealth residents interested in outdoor recreational activities, clean energy solutions and those who work with animals and livestock. Equally, EOEEA works with energy consumers, power companies, clean energy providers and farmers to delicately balance the interaction with environmental protection laws and regulations while being a cornerstone for our economic prosperity. The shared mission of EEA and its agencies/units is to preserve and enhance the environment of the Commonwealth, promote clean energy, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and cut energy costs.

To ensure that technology options advance the various energy and environmental goals and objectives in harmony with the demands of business, EEA is seeking to hire a Chief Data Officer (CDO) to develop data management strategies and policies. The incumbent will be responsible for building and implementing data governance frameworks to ensure data quality, security, and compliance.

The Chief Data Officer will also contribute in the following ways:

• Build a team to manage data storage, extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL), data infrastructure, and cross-departmental and cross-secretariat constructs for data sharing.
• Oversee and lend expertise to the collection, storage, and analysis of environmental and energy-related data.
• Lead efforts to integrate disparate data sources for comprehensive analysis.
• Foster data-driven decision-making processes within the organization.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to identify data needs and priorities.
• Drive innovation by exploring emerging technologies for data management and analysis such as artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
• Develop data sharing agreements and partnerships to enhance data accessibility.
• Provide insights and recommendations based on data analysis to support EEA's initiatives and policies.
• Ensure transparency and accountability by establishing metrics and reporting mechanisms for data-related activities.

The primary work location for this role will be 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114. The work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM EST. This position would be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days as needed.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Experience:

• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in data management, analytics, and strategic leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing data management strategies, leading data governance initiatives, and driving business value through data-driven decision-making.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams, collaborating with stakeholders, and communicating effectively at all organizational levels.
• Proficiency in data management principles, data architecture, data modeling, and database design.
• Strong understanding of data analytics, statistical analysis, and predictive modeling techniques.
• Proven hands-on experience and knowledge with Snowflake and PowerBI.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance requirements related to data privacy, security, and governance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA) would be a plus.
• Advanced knowledge of data visualization tools, business intelligence platforms, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) would be a plus.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Knowledge:

• Data Management Principles: Understanding of data management best practices, including data governance, data quality, metadata management, and master data management.
• Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of data privacy regulations, industry standards, and compliance requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA.
• Data Technologies: Familiarity with database systems, data warehousing, data lakes, cloud computing platforms, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Snowflake expertise is a plus.
• Industry Trends: Awareness of current trends, advancements, and innovations in data management, analytics, and visualization across relevant industries.
• Environmental and Energy Sector Knowledge: Understanding of environmental science, energy policy, and related domains to contextualize data and insights within the EEA's mission.

Skills and Abilities:

• Leadership and Strategic Planning: Ability to provide strategic vision, direction, and leadership in developing and implementing data-driven strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Communication and Collaboration: Strong communication skills to effectively articulate complex technical concepts, facilitate collaboration among cross-functional teams, and engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Analytical mindset and problem-solving skills to identify data-related challenges, evaluate options, and make informed decisions that drive business outcomes.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation: Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques to extract insights, interpret findings, and derive actionable recommendations from large and complex datasets.
• Change Management: Ability to lead organizational change, promote a culture of data-driven decision-making, and drive adoption of new processes, technologies, and methodologies.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Ability to adapt to changing priorities, requirements, and technologies in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Team Building and Mentoring: Skill in building high-performing teams, nurturing talent, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture.
• Ethical and Responsible Data Practices: Commitment to ethical and responsible data stewardship, ensuring the privacy, security, and integrity of sensitive information.
• Results Orientation: Focus on delivering measurable results, driving continuous improvement, and maximizing the value of data assets to achieve organizational objectives.