Director Data Jobs in Vernon Hills, IL (NOW HIRING)

OVERVIEW:

The Director of Data Analytics & Insights reports directly to the National Director of Alumni Relations and will work closely with a dynamic team of staff and alumni leaders to support the development and execution of initiatives to advance all aspects of the organization's alumni strategy - the Alumni ACT. The Director will surface critical performance questions, translate data into actionable insights, and foster a culture of data-driven, evidenced-based practices to support positive alumni outcomes and engagement. This role collaborates closely with the centralized Research & Evaluation (R&E) team to align on metrics, share analytical best practices, and contribute to organization-wide learning about the alumni community. This leader must bring strong business acumen, statistical fluency, and data storytelling skills, and must be able to translate complex data into insights that inform both daily and strategic decisions across Alumni Relations. This role plays a critical part in building a strong, connected alumni community, fostering long-term engagement, and amplifying the impact of alumni and their stories to inspire all stakeholders. Additionally, you will have a genuine passion for working with our alumni and doing whatever it takes to ensure that they are set up for success.

Salary Range: $87,000 - $95,000

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Data Management, Exploration and Analysis

• Lead the management and analysis of alumni engagement performance metrics, including annual engagement estimate and three-year engagement scoring.
• Manage alumni constituent data, including data sourced from internal business partners and third parties.
• Ensure effective adherence to data standards (security, access) and policies among Alumni Relations team.
• Surface trends or outcomes that require strategic or tactical attention and adjustments.

Insight Generation and Storytelling

• Lead collaboration with the R&E team on qualitative and quantitative research projects, including the National Alumni Survey/Census, annual focus groups, etc.
• Collaborate across Alumni Relations on opportunities to gain feedback and develop insights from alumni engagement through resources and activations.
• Deliver compelling, insight-driven narratives related to alumni engagement to Alumni Relations and key internal and external business partners.
• Collaborate on the creation of visualizations, presentations, and reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide guidance to and collaborate across functions to improve alumni data functionality and accessibility.

Embedded Partnership and Decision Support

• Serve as a strategic partner across Alumni Relations, applying data to improve planning and execution and bringing data-informed perspectives into team conversations.
• Collaborate with the R&E team to maintain shared metrics, alignment on enterprise priorities, and analytical best practices.

Capacity Building and Data Fluency

• Coach Alumni Relations staff on interpreting key performance metrics and leveraging alumni constituent and engagement data.
• Strengthen data literacy and promote a culture of inquiry and learning across the Alumni Relations.

Year Up United Citizen

• Live the values of YUU.
• Participate in special projects and initiatives that support YUU's effectiveness, growth, and impact.
• Actively participate in YUU's Learning Community, supporting students as a coach, facilitator, volunteer and/or mentor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up United.
• 7+ years of experience in data analytics, applied research, and/or program evaluation-ideally within education, workforce development, or nonprofit settings.
• Proficiency in constituent management and data analysis tools, such as SQL; familiarity with Salesforce, Tableau, BI platforms such as Tableau or Power BI is a plus.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis, trend evaluation, and hypothesis testing.
• Ability to translate complex data into actionable insights and communicate them to non-technical audiences.
• Willingness to take initiative and risk, to creatively solve problems, and be flexible to work in a changing environment.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence decisions without direct authority.
• Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Deep commitment to advancing equity and economic mobility through data-informed strategy.

Work Schedule/Travel:

• Regular evening and some weekend responsibilities, as well as travel for alumni engagement activities (less than 10%) will be required; flex time will be encouraged.

This is a hybrid and location flexible role that will require occasional in-person activities for coaching and support of our students. You must live within a commutable distance to one of our locations where we serve students (https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations).

WORKING AT YEAR UP UNITED:

Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state*) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations

*Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate's skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.

• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults-no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country-a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United's intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The NonProfit Times, Year Up United is a rewarding and impactful place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and committed to positive change and continuous learning. We set high standards for both ourselves and our students and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and potential of our young people. The work we do is life-changing, and we know that our team is the greatest asset in achieving our mission.

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/
Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We respectfully request no phone calls.