Data Advisory Group Program Manager

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This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system.

This posting is open to both current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of application. However, please note that upon hire, you will be required to establish residence within the State of Colorado.

This part-time position leads the coordination and operations of the statewide Data Advisory Group (DAG), a formal public body supporting data governance across Colorado’s higher education system. The Coordinator facilitates collaboration system-wide collaboration across institutions to advance consistent data standards and practices, supports implementation of legislative data and reporting requirements, supports the implementation of statutory data and reporting mandates and manages administrative  processes for external data sharing requests.

The role is responsible for tracking and communicating active legislation that may affect higher education data, guiding privacy-aligned data practices, and ensuring effective robust stakeholder engagement. Additionally, the Coordinator oversees public meetings, statutory documentation, and operational tools to support transparent, compliant, and well-coordinated data governance.

 This position does not supervise any employees.

This position operates with a high level of independence and autonomy, serving as the central coordinator of a statewide, multi-agency advisory body and primary point of accountability for its effectiveness. It holds significant responsibility for ensuring transparent, compliant, and well-coordinated data governance processes that impact statewide higher education policy, reporting, and operations.

The duties listed below reflect the different types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific duty will not prevent the assignment of work that is appropriately related to this position. 

 Data Advisory Group Leadership & Stakeholder Coordination

• Lead and coordinate a statewide Data Advisory Group (DAG), supporting its transition to a formal, public advisory body.
• Facilitate cross-institutional collaboration across institutions to advance uniform data standards, definitions, and practices across statewide data collections.
• Manage comprehensive stakeholder engagement, including membership coordination, communications, and cross-sector collaboration.
• Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships across institutions, agencies, and partner organizations.

Data Governance, Implementation & Analysis

• Support the Department’s implementation of new legislative data and reporting requirements, including stakeholder coordination and development of guidance and deliverables.
• Oversee processes for reviewing and processing external requests for statewide institutional and student data.
• Track legislation impacting higher education data and reporting; communicate implications to DAG, collect feedback, and support coordinated system responses.
• Guide development of DAG advisory approaches aligned with privacy and data governance best practices.

Operations, Meetings & Transparency

• Plan and manage public meetings, including agendas, materials, and documentation, ensuring compliance with open meetings and accessibility requirements.
• Establish and manage records and documentation processes to ensure transparency, accessibility, and long-term archival compliance.
• Develop and maintain tools, templates, and guidance to support data governance processes and advisory group operations.

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: 

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in public policy, higher education, data analytics, public administration, or a related field.

Substitution: Four (4) years of experience in a related field can replace the education requirement of a bachelor's degree.

• Five (5) or more years of professional experience in data governance, higher education policy, institutional research, or program management.
• Demonstrated experience working with complex data systems, data reporting, or data governance practices.
• Proven track record  coordinating cross-functional stakeholders or facilitating collaborative groups.
• Experience interpreting and implementing legislative or regulatory requirements.

Master’s degree from an accredited university or college in public policy, higher education, data science, or a related field. 

• Higher education experience with an institution or government entity in Colorado.
• Experience working directly with statewide longitudinal data systems (e.g., SLDS), SURDS, or large-scale administrative data collections.
• Experience supporting public bodies, advisory groups, or boards, including open meetings compliance and public transparency requirements.
• Direct experience developing data policies with data privacy laws and best practices (e.g., FERPA, de-identification, suppression standards).
• Project management experience. 

• Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) or similar data governance/data management certification.
• Project Management certification (e.g., PMP, CAPM, or equivalent.
• Privacy or data protection certification (e.g., Certified Information Privacy Professional – CIPP/US) or similar training in data privacy practices.
• Facilitation certifications (e.g., Certified Facilitator) that support group coordination.

• Functional understanding of project management best practices.
• Knowledge of higher education data systems, reporting requirements, and institutional data practices (e.g., statewide collections, IPEDS).
• Understanding of data governance principles, including data standards, documentation, and lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of data privacy and security requirements, including FERPA and best practices for de-identification, aggregation, and suppression.
• Familiarity with state legislative and regulatory processes, particularly as they relate to data collection and reporting requirements.
• Understanding of public sector operations, including transparency requirements and open meetings laws.

• Lead and coordinate cross-sector stakeholder groups and facilitate consensus.
• Build trust and credibility with stakeholders through responsive communication, transparency, and follow-through.
• Translate complex data, policy, and technical concepts into clear, actionable guidance for diverse audiences.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, evolving policy and data environment.
• Read and interpret legislation.
• Design and implement processes, tools, and documentation to support data governance and DAG operations.
• Ensure accuracy, quality, and consistency across processes.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally, including preparation of clear, public-facing materials.
• Ensure compliance with legal, accessibility, and transparency requirements in public-facing work. 

The physical and mental standards described here are representative of those that must typically be met by employees to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Frequently sit/stand at a desk for extended periods of time
• Frequently move from one area/building to another and sit/stand during the course of a day/week/month for meetings
• Occasionally may push or pull an object
• Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard
• Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds
• Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects
• Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquires to [email protected] 

• The employee typically works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures. Works a 20-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid, or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours of Monday– Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

• Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Human Resource Director at [email protected] or call 720.264.8575.