Director, Data and Application Strategy

The Director of Data and Application Strategy at Shawmut Design and Construction is responsible for defining and executing a comprehensive data strategy that drives business value, ensuring data governance excellence, and providing thought leadership in enterprise application strategy. This role involves collaborating with senior executives, leading cross-functional teams, and promoting a culture of data-centric decision-making across the organization.

To qualify for the Director of Data and Application Strategy at Shawmut, candidates should possess a minimum of 10 years in IT leadership roles, a strong background in data strategy, and experience with enterprise applications. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required, and an inspirational certification is preferred.

The Director of Data and Application Strategy impacts business goals at Shawmut by developing and executing a data strategy that aligns with corporate objectives, identifying priority initiatives that improve efficiency and profitability, and overseeing a high-performing team to ensure timely delivery of projects that enhance business agility.

The Director of Data and Application Strategy will lead a high-performing team of data and business analysts, driving cross-functional projects. This role involves fostering collaboration across IT, finance, operations, and other business units to enhance technology adoption and ensure the realization of value from data and application initiatives.

Shawmut Design and Construction offers a comprehensive benefits package for its employees, including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K plan with company match, generous paid time off policies, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and additional perks like tuition reimbursement and financial planning services.

When answering this question, focus on specific examples of how you have developed and implemented data governance frameworks. Highlight your understanding of best practices in data quality, security, and accessibility, and discuss the measurable impact these efforts had on previous organizations.

Discuss your approach to identifying business goals and determining which data-driven initiatives will create the most significant value. Share examples of how you worked with cross-functional teams to prioritize these initiatives effectively, ensuring alignment with overall corporate strategy.

Highlight specific projects where you led improvements in enterprise applications, focusing on the technologies you introduced and the positive outcomes. Explain how these innovations supported business objectives and enhanced overall operational effectiveness.

Use this question to demonstrate your ability to communicate complex concepts in a simplistic and relatable way. Share an example where your clear communication led to successful buy-in from stakeholders and how you facilitated understanding throughout the organization.

Discuss methods you've employed to cultivate a data-centric mindset, such as training sessions, workshops, or user-friendly dashboards. Share how you've engaged team members at all levels to embrace data in their decision-making processes.

Choose a specific project that highlights your leadership and collaborative skills. Discuss the challenges you faced, the teams involved, and how you guided the project to success while demonstrating the value of data and application strategies.

Talk about the importance of continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends. Discuss how you incorporate feedback, data analytics, and emerging technologies into your strategic planning to keep pace with advancements.

List specific KPIs that are critical in measuring the success of your data strategy, such as data quality metrics, operational efficiency improvements, or user adoption rates. Explain how tracking these KPIs informs your strategic decisions.

Share your experience with engaging stakeholders to understand their concerns and effectively addressing them. Describe how you build trust and transparency to ease transitions and encourage acceptance of new data processes.

Discuss your views on automation's role in enhancing data strategies, including its potential to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and free up resources for more strategic tasks. Share examples of how you have successfully implemented automation in past roles.