ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Director Of Data Science Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Kemin

Data Director

Des Moines, IA · On-site

Overview The Director of Data defines Kemin's enterprise data strategy and provides architectural ... Bachelors Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or Analytics with 10+ years of related ...

Kemin

Data Director

Des Moines, IA · On-site

Overview The Director of Data defines Kemin's enterprise data strategy and provides architectural ... Bachelors Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or Analytics with 10+ years of related ...

Kemin

Data Director

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$140 - $220/hr

Overview The Director of Data defines Kemin's enterprise data strategy and provides architectural ... Bachelors Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or Analytics with 10+ years of related ...

Kemin

Data Director

Des Moines, IA · On-site

The Director of Data defines Kemin's enterprise data strategy and provides architectural direction ... Bachelors Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or Analytics with 10+ years of related ...

Varsity Tutors

Data Science Tutor

Iowa City, IA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

About the Job The Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform has thousands of students looking for online Data Science tutors nationally. As a tutor on the Varsity Tutors Platform, you'll have the ...

Varsity Tutors

Data Science Tutor

Ames, IA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

About the Job The Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform has thousands of students looking for online Data Science tutors nationally. As a tutor on the Varsity Tutors Platform, you'll have the ...

Wellmark, Inc.

Data Science Associate

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$57K - $58K/yr

We are motivated by the well-being of our friends, family, and neighbors-our members. If you're ... Specific exposure with hands-on data analysis of databases and files using SQL dialects and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsOf Data Science JobsDirector Of Data Science JobsDirector Of Data Science Jobs in Iowa

Director Of Data Science information

See Iowa salary details

$50.7K

$145.5K

$229.2K

How much do director of data science jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of data science in Iowa is $145,467.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,300.00 and $178,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of data science when leading cross-functional teams?

As a Director of Data Science, one of the key challenges is aligning the goals of data science teams with those of product, engineering, and business stakeholders. This often involves translating complex technical findings into actionable insights that non-technical colleagues can understand and use. Additionally, managing resource allocation and prioritizing projects across multiple departments can be demanding, especially in fast-paced environments. Building a collaborative culture and fostering open communication are crucial for overcoming these challenges and ensuring data-driven strategies deliver business value.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of data science, and why are they important?

A Director of Data Science needs advanced expertise in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data strategy, typically supported by a graduate degree in a quantitative field and significant industry experience. Familiarity with big data platforms (e.g., Hadoop, Spark), programming languages (Python, R), and cloud-based analytics tools, as well as experience managing data science teams, is essential. Strong leadership, communication, and business acumen are key soft skills for aligning technical work with organizational goals and influencing stakeholders. These skills are crucial for driving data-driven decision-making and maximizing the strategic impact of data science initiatives within the organization.

What is the difference between Director Of Data Science vs Data Scientist?

AspectDirector Of Data ScienceData Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (Master's or PhD), leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Computer Science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, team management, cross-department collaborationData analysis, model development, coding, and experimentation
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, finance, healthcare, large enterprisesStartups, tech firms, research institutions, various industries

The main difference between a Director Of Data Science and a Data Scientist lies in their scope of responsibilities. The Director oversees strategic initiatives, manages teams, and aligns data projects with business goals, while Data Scientists focus on analyzing data, building models, and deriving insights. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the Director's role emphasizes leadership and strategic planning.

What does a director of data science do?

A director of data science oversees data science teams, develops strategies for data analysis and modeling, and ensures the implementation of data-driven solutions to support business goals. They often manage projects, collaborate with other departments, and have expertise in statistical methods, machine learning, and data management tools. Strong leadership, communication skills, and experience with programming languages like Python or R are essential for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Data Science jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Of Data Science jobs in Iowa are:

Director Of Data Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Data Science job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,467 per year, or $69.9 per hour.

Data Director

Kemin

Des Moines, IA • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Overview
The Director of Data defines Kemin's enterprise data strategy and provides architectural direction, standards, and prioritization to enable analytics, business intelligence, and AI initiatives. Operating within a hybrid model, this role sets enterprise data architecture expectations and governance while closely partnering with IT teams responsible for execution and platform operations. The Director of Data aligns data priorities with business, Operations, R&D, Finance, etc. needs, restores trust in enterprise data, and ensures data investments translate into measurable business value.
Join the Kemin Team and Transform Lives!
We are a privately held, family-owned-and-operated global biotechnology company driven by curiosity and committed to transforming the quality of life for people, pets, and the planet.
We create solutions that strengthen health and wellbeing, provide nutrition and immune support for pets and production animals, safeguard the planet's natural resources, and protect the global food supply chain for generations to come.
We supply over 500 specialty ingredients for various industries, including human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textiles, biofuels, and animal vaccines.
We employ 3,500 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States.
As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial, physical, and professional well-being:
  • Competitive Financial Package: Enjoy a rewarding salary, uncapped bonus opportunities, a 401k match program, and generous paid vacation and holidays.
  • Health and Wellness Support: Stay fit and healthy with our fitness reimbursement for the whole family, access to an on-site fitness center, a restaurant offering seasonal fresh food options, and free fresh fruit in break areas.
  • Career Development and Advancement: Unlock your potential with opportunities for growth and development throughout your entire career.
  • Continued Learning Opportunities: Grow your skills with our in-house learning platforms, offering thousands of training resources both live and online, and take advantage of tuition reimbursement for external post-secondary pursuits.
  • Service Opportunities: Make a positive impact with paid time off for service, partnerships with The World Food Programme and Habitat for Humanity, and local community initiatives.

Responsibilities
Enterprise Data Strategy & Direction
  • Establish the enterprise data strategy and target-state architecture that supports analytics, AI, and decision-making use cases.
  • Translate business, Operations, Finance, R&D, etc. priorities into clear data architecture and sequencing guidance.
  • Define what "analytics-ready" and "AI-ready" data means at Kemin and ensure alignment across teams.

Data Standards & Oversight
  • Define and maintain data standards, patterns, and design principles for structured and unstructured data.
  • Provide functional leadership and architectural direction to data architecture resources operating within IT.
  • Chair or co-chair architecture governance forums to review designs, resolve tradeoffs, and approve exceptions.

Data Governance, Quality & Trust Enablement
  • Define governance frameworks, roles, and accountability models aligned to high-value data domains.
  • Set data quality thresholds and improvement priorities based on analytics and AI business needs.
  • Partner with IT and business data owners to remediate critical data quality issues and improve usability.

Data Analytics and Data Engineering
  • Define platform expectations and workload strategies (e.g., Databricks, Fabric) to support analytics and AI use cases.
  • Partner with IT to ensure platform decisions are aligned to data strategy rather than infrastructure convenience alone.
  • Ensure priority AI pilots and analytics initiatives are supported by appropriate data foundations and pipelines.

Cross Functional Leadership & Development
  • Partner with Finance to define ROI measurement frameworks and baseline metrics for data and AI investments.
  • Align stakeholders on priorities, trade offs, and sequencing when data quality or architecture constraints exist.
  • Communicate data strategy, progress, and risks clearly to senior leadership in business terms.

Qualifications
  • Education and Experience:
    • Bachelors Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or Analytics with 10+ years of related experience.
  • Strong executive communication skills; able to translate data strategy into business outcomes for non-technical leadership.
  • Background in manufacturing, life sciences, chemicals, CPG, or other R&D-intensive, data-complex environments.
  • Demonstrated success improving data quality, trust, and usability across fragmented systems and legacy platforms.
  • Experience partnering with IT architecture and engineering teams while setting enterprise data standards, priorities, and design expectations.
  • Strong understanding of modern data platforms (e.g., lakehouse architectures) and their role in enabling analytics and AI.
  • Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment without direct authority.
  • Experience establishing or scaling data governance frameworks, stewardship models, or domain ownership structures.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed/religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status (where applicable), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy/childbirth/breastfeeding or related conditions, age (40+), disability (including the use of a service animal), genetic information, marital status, familial or caregiver status, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, reproductive health decision-making, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also prohibit retaliation for raising concerns or participating in an EEO process. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview can email TalentAcquisition.US@Kemin.com.
A post-offer background check and drug screen is required. Additional pre-employment requirements may be necessary based on position.
Kemin is a drug-free and tobacco-free campus.
#LI-MN1

Apply