Director, Data Science Partnerships

Company: University of San Francisco
Location: Fairfield
Posted on: June 19, 2022

Job Description:

Job Title:Director, Data Science PartnershipsJob Summary:The University of San Francisco offers a one-year Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) program that delivers a rigorous curriculum focused on mathematical and computational techniques from the field of data science. As part of the program, all students gain real-world experience through a nine-month practicum (15 hours/week), tackling data science and analytics problems at companies around the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Each year, roughly 60 companies come to pitch their projects to our students during "Pitch Day." The MSDS program sits under the aegis of the Data Institute (DI), which partners with industry to advance the field of data science. The DI provides experiential learning opportunities and supports data science and deep learning research, bringing together researchers, students, industry leaders and nonprofits to apply data-driven solutions to business, medicine, and social issues.

The position of Director of Data Science Partnerships (DDSP) has both internally- and externally-facing responsibilities in managing DI memberships and the MSDS practicum program. Responsibilities include developing strategies for recruiting and retaining member organizations, as well as sourcing and soliciting corporate, government, and nonprofit members for the DI. The DDSP will partner closely with the DI Director of Operations and External Relations, DI Senior Director, the MSDS Academic Director, and the MSDS program's faculty practicum director to plan DI memberships, practicum company recruitment processes, and constructing teams of MSDS students to place into practicums.

The DDSP serves as a liaison between DI member organizations, practicum project companies and the University of San Francisco's staff and administration. Within the DI and the MSDS program, as well as to the external community, the DDSP is a spokesperson, representative and advocate for the DI and MSDS program. The DDSP operates under the general supervision and direction of the DI Senior Director, with dotted-line reporting to the MSDS Academic Director, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Strategic Initiatives at the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
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Working with faculty, staff, students and external constituencies such as alumni and DI members, the DDSP will be responsible for delivering the types of services that will result in MSDS students and members experiencing a valuable and distinctive experience - both inside and outside the classroom.Full Job Description:Job Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day execution of the MSDS practicum program and other related aspects of DI member services;
• Recruit and retain DI members and MSDS practicum partners to meet demands determined by MSDS student enrollments;
• As part of this recruitment process, and working with the DI/MSDS program assistant, coordinate the annual "Pitch Week" event - when prospective practicum partners come and pitch their data science projects to the current cohort of MSDS students - and author the associated "Pitch Book";
• Research current and future trends, as well as companies and prospective partners, in order to source new individual and corporate contacts for practicum and DI membership opportunities;
• Develop deep knowledge of the local data science community;
• Communicate and build professional relationships with corporate, nonprofit, and community partners;
• Gain command and familiarity with DI and MSDS faculty expertise, as well as industry subject experts affiliated with the DI;
• Collaborate with the DI Senior Director and the MSDS Academic Director on external outreach to companies, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities;
• Serve as the MSDS program's "career czar" by organizing resume-writing workshops, practice technical interviews, and tracking student employment outcomes through software products such as Huntr;
• Discuss practicum options with students, provide counsel, mediate to resolve difficulties or disputes when necessary, promote student learning, and encourage professional development;
• Provide information to practicum company mentors and work with them to develop viable project proposals, as well as facilitate student learning and evaluation;
• Conduct site visits, as well as telephone/video-based conference (e.g., Zoom) calls, with company representatives;
• Collaborate with DI personnel on membership agreements and processing;
• Provide excellent client service to all DI member organizations and MSDS practicum placement partners;
• Collaborate closely with the DI and MSDS Administrative Director on practicum-related processes, including non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and curricular practical training (CPT) letters;
• Survey members and company project mentors twice each year on practicum student performance, and make reports concerning these surveys to the DI Senior Director, the MSDS Academic Director, and the MSDS program's faculty practicum director;
• Participate in MSDS quality assurance efforts, including assessment, accreditation, external reviews, and other related activities;
• Support the weekly seminar (i.e., the "Friday Seminar Series") with activities such as speaker recruitment, marketing of the seminar, introducing the speaker, moderating the question-and-answer period, etc.;
• Represent the DI and MSDS at information meetings, open houses, career fairs, conferences, and graduate admissions fairs;
• Support the development of a sustainable BSDS practicum program in collaboration with the Director of Operations and External Relations, BSDS program director and DI Senior Director;
• Support grant-writing and fund-raising efforts at the Data Institute; and
• Assume other responsibilities in alignment with this job description, as assigned by the Director of Operations and External Relation, DI Senior Director, and MSDS Academic Director.Work ScheduleThe Director of Data Science Partnerships is generally expected to work eight hours per day (e.g., Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), with occasional work during the evenings and weekends. A remote work arrangement can be negotiated for this position, with a minimum of two days of in-person work at the university's Downtown Campus.Key Executions
  • Outstanding customer service to current and prospective Data Institute members, MSDS practicum partners, and students.
  • Coordinating career placement activities and job application processes for each cohort in such a way that related metrics (e.g., percentage of the cohort that is employed within six months of graduation, median starting salaries, etc.) are sustained or enhanced.
  • Sustain and grow revenues from DI memberships.Minimum Qualifications
    • A master's degree or a doctoral degree from an accredited university is preferred.
    • Four or more years of experience with career services, external relations, or recruiting work connected to a technical field (e.g., data science, statistics, software engineering, biotechnology, etc.) preferred.
    • Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituents.
    • Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
    • Strong analytical skills - the ability to identify and evaluate problems, as well as to devise timely and effective solutions.
    • Strong equity lens, cultural humility, and proven ability to work well in a diverse context.
    • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
    • Strong business acumen with the ability to use and discuss business terminology from multiple sectors and apply this information in an academic setting.
    • Commitment to efficiency, effectiveness, and excellence.
    • Commitment to the University of San Francisco's mission, vision and values.Full-Time/Part-Time:Full timePay Rate:Salary

Keywords: University of San Francisco, Fairfield , Director, Data Science Partnerships, Executive , Fairfield, California