(DOE-012-26) Assistant Commissioner (Chief of Accountability and Analytics)

Notice of Vacancy

Reference Number : DOE-012-26
Title : Assistant Commissioner (Chief of Accountability and Analytics)
Range/Title Code : M98/99985
Salary : $181,125.00
Position Number: TBD
Issue Date : June 18, 2026
Closing Date : July 2, 2026
Core Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location : Trenton, New Jersey
Division : Division of Accountability and Analytics, Office of the Assistant Commissioner

Description

The Assistant Commissioner for Accountability and Analytics serves as a senior executive leader within the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), responsible for the strategic direction and operational oversight of the agency's data systems, school and district accountability frameworks, and applied research and program evaluation functions. This position plays a pivotal role in ensuring that data-driven insights inform policy decisions, drive equitable outcomes for all students, and uphold the integrity of state and federal accountability requirements. This position reports directly to the New Jersey Commissioner of Education.

This is a high-visibility, high-impact leadership role requiring exceptional expertise in educational data systems, accountability policy, and quantitative research. The Assistant Commissioner will lead a multi-disciplinary team of analysts, researchers, data engineers, and policy professionals, while serving as a key advisor to the Commissioner and senior leadership on matters of data governance, performance reporting, and evidence-based practice.

Core Responsibilities:

Data & Reporting Systems Leadership

• Provide critical input to the design, development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the department's data systems, including student information systems, educator data platforms, and interoperability infrastructure.
• Establish and enforce data governance policies, standards, and security protocols in compliance with FERPA, state privacy laws, and federal reporting requirements in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology.
• Lead the department's data modernization strategy, including migration to cloud-based platforms, adoption of automated reporting pipelines, and integration of emerging data technologies.
• Oversee the production of all state and federal data reports and state report cards, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, transparency, and usability.
• Partner with district and school technology leaders to strengthen data quality, local reporting capacity, and use of state data tools.

School & District Accountability

• Direct the implementation and continuous refinement of the state's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) accountability system, including indicator development, school identification, and improvement framework design.
• Lead cross-agency collaboration with federal partners, legislative offices, and local education agencies (LEAs) to align accountability policies with state educational priorities.
• Oversee the calculation and public release of accountability determinations for all public schools and districts statewide.
• Develop equitable accountability frameworks that appropriately account for student subgroup performance, growth measures, and contextual factors.
• Serve as the department's primary liaison to the State Board of Education and legislative education committees on accountability reporting, results interpretation, and policy recommendations.

Research, Evaluation & Applied Analytics

• Lead the department's research and program evaluation agenda, including the design and execution of rigorous studies on the effectiveness of state initiatives, interventions, and educational programs.
• Direct the use of advanced analytics methods, including predictive modeling, trend analysis, and causal inference, to generate actionable insights for department leaders and stakeholders.
• Oversee the department's partnerships with universities, think tanks, and research institutes to expand the evidence base informing state education policy.
• Ensure the ethical use of data in research activities, including appropriate privacy protections, IRB compliance, and transparent reporting of findings.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, accessible reports and presentations for diverse audiences including policymakers, practitioners, families, and the public.

Finance, Resource Allocation & Performance Analysis

• Lead analysis at the intersection of financial, programmatic, and performance data to inform resource allocation, policy decisions, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Partner with finance, program, and executive leadership teams to develop integrated reporting and analytic tools that connect spending patterns with student outcomes and operational results.
• Support the development of frameworks that assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of state investments, including grant-funded and state-funded initiatives.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities by linking fiscal data with accountability, outcome, and implementation data to strengthen strategic decision-making.

Leadership & Organizational Management

• Provide executive-level leadership to a team of approximately 50–80 professional staff across data systems, accountability, and research units.
• Recruit, develop, and retain top talent, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Develop and manage the division's budget, including federal grants, state appropriations, and contracted services.
• Represent the department at national convenings, federal agency meetings, and professional associations focused on educational data and accountability.

Requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Education Policy, Public Policy, Statistics, Data Science, Public Administration, or a closely related field.

Experience

A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in data, accountability systems, or policy analysis, with at least five (5) years in a senior leadership or management role. Demonstrated expertise in the design and management of large-scale data systems. Proven ability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary teams in a government or large organizational setting. Strong proficiency in statistical analysis, data visualization, and quantitative research methods.

Preferred Education/Experience

Master’s degree in a relevant quantitative or policy-oriented discipline. Prior experience in a state education agency, federal education department, or large urban school district central office. Experience leading data modernization, cloud migration, or enterprise data platform projects. Deep familiarity with student growth models, value-added analyses, and equity-focused accountability frameworks. Track record of peer-reviewed research publication or presentation at national education research conferences. Experience building and managing public-facing data dashboards and interactive report card systems. Extensive knowledge of ESSA accountability requirements, federal education data reporting mandates, and FERPA compliance. Familiarity with tools such as SAS, R, Python, SQL, or Tableau.

Employee Benefits

As a NJ State Department, NJDOE offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
• Pension
• Deferred Compensation
• Health (medical, prescription drug, dental & vision care) and Life Insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Tuition Reimbursement*
• Flexible and Health Spending Accounts (FSA/HSA)
• 13 paid holidays
• Benefit Leave (vacation days, sick days and administrative leave days)
• Telework*
• Alternate Work Week Program*

*Pursuant to Department’s policy, procedures, and/or guidelines.

Open to the Following

In accordance with the New Jersey First Act P.L. 2011 c.70, effective September 1, 2011, new public employees are required to obtain New Jersey residency within one (1) year of employment.

Applicants must meet the requirements listed above.

Interested candidates may apply via: .

Authorization to Work

Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States according to the Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations. Note: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorships for work visas.

SAME Applicants

If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program, visit their website at: nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml , email: [email protected] , or call the Civil Service Commission at (609)-292-4144, option 3.

EOE/AA Statement

The New Jersey State Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer, has an Affirmative Action Program, and will not discriminate against any person because of race, creed, religion, color, national origin/nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy), marital status/civil union partnership, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, domestic partnership status, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, disability, (including perceived disability, physical, mental, and/or intellectual disabilities), or liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, and is committed to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.