NC - Durham & Research Triangle
Vice President and Director, Statistics and Data Science Center
27418BR
Job Description
Westat's Statistics and Data Science Center brings rigorous statistical and data science methods to a variety of research projects across the organization, with a focus on quality and representativeness. Areas of expertise within the center include, but are not limited to, survey statistics, such as sample design and selection, computation of survey weights, and imputation of missing data; privacy- and confidentiality-preserving techniques; small area estimation; hierarchical and Bayesian modeling; statistical analyses and causal inference; machine learning; natural language processing; data visualizations and dashboarding; and survey methodology applications, such as cognitive interviewing, questionnaire development and testing, eye tracking, and usability analysis. We excel at bringing this technical expertise to external and internal clients through project collaborations, peer-reviewed journal articles, presentations at client and scientific conferences, and contributions to business development efforts.
As Vice President and Director of the Statistics and Data Science Center, you will direct a multidisciplinary team of 80 staff. You will be the executive business leader and will guide the strategic planning process and oversee staff on a wide portfolio of data collection, research, analysis, and evaluation projects. The team is highly collaborative; our collegial work environment is central to our success. Your key responsibilities as Center Director will include setting forth and executing the business strategy, promoting participation of Statistics and Data Science staff in business development, ensuring project quality, and supervising talent management.
Major Responsibilities:
Business Strategy
• Develop and execute a strategy that enables Westat to expand the meaningful work we do and ensures the quality and rigor of statistical, methodological, and data science methods implemented in Westat projects.
• Establish a strategic direction for the Statistics and Data Science Center that is in line with Westat's business goals.
• Support the portfolio of business across Westat.
• Develop and promote thought leadership that raises Westat's expertise to create a competitive edge, attract new clients, and recruit the best talent.
• Foster collegiality while maintaining accountability among the center's management team.
Business Development
• Make significant technical contributions to capture and proposal development activities to grow Westat.
• Vet new opportunities that align with strategic plans and corporate business targets.
• Engage routinely with senior staff on capture and proposal activities and priorities.
• Collaborate across Westat to bring the full range of company capabilities to bear to ensure the application of advanced methodological expertise and capabilities into the design of innovative solutions supporting successful business development.
Thought Leadership
• Promote the value of statistics and data science to internal and external clients.
• Provide methodological direction and thought leadership in statistics and data science to center staff.
• Maintain visibility within the statistics and data science professional community.
Fiscal Management
• Establish an operating plan for the center in alignment with Westat's overall strategic direction.
• Establish and monitor expectations for direct and indirect expenditures within the center.
• Collaborate with Westat's Finance and Contracts departments to oversee center finances.
• Work across all research practices and business centers to staff projects and optimize resource utilization.
Project Execution and Quality
• Maintain our culture of client satisfaction to ensure we continue to achieve the highest client ratings.
• Conduct project risk reviews and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• As needed, develop or update policies and procedures to continually strengthen the quality of our work, be more cost efficient, and streamline operations.
Talent Management
• Mentor leaders within the center.
• Attract and retain talent for the organization.
• Oversee staff supervision and staff development efforts.
• Assure hiring plans are in place to support project execution.
Basic Qualifications:
• A master's degree in statistics, data science, or other quantitative research field and a minimum of 15 years' experience in government or in a government contracting organization leading and conducting statistical, methodological, or data science projects (at the Federal level) with a strong commitment to quality, rigor, and customer satisfaction; or a doctoral degree in statistics, data science, or other quantitative research field and a minimum of 10 years' experience in government or in a government-contracting organization leading and conducting statistical, methodological, or data science projects (at the Federal le
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Posted: Sept. 8, 2024, 7:33 a.m.
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