Director Political Science Data Analytics Jobs in California

This role may be based in San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, or Washington DC.

We're looking for a builder. Someone ready to help shape the next stage of Control Risks' Data Analytics journey in the Americas. If you thrive in entrepreneurial environments and want to lead a growing, globally connected practice, this is your opportunity.

We are seeking a commercially minded leader to drive the growth and market expansion of Control Risks' Data Analytics practice across the Americas. The Director will combine strategic business development, client engagement, and analytics-driven advisory expertise to expand our footprint in analytics-enabled investigations, compliance, and risk advisory.

This role focuses on three key areas:

• Business Development & Market Growth - Lead origination, pipeline development, and go-to-market initiatives across target industries and regions.
• Client Delivery & Advisory - Oversee strategic, high-impact projects ensuring excellence, innovation, and measurable outcomes.
• Team Leadership & Capability Building - Recruit, mentor, and scale a high-performing analytics team across the Americas.

The ideal candidate brings experience building or growing consulting practices serving legal, compliance, and risk functions, ideally within complex, regulated environments such as financial services, life sciences, or technology.

Tasks and Responsibilities:Business Development and Practice Growth

• Develop and execute a commercial strategy to expand the Data Analytics practice in key sectors.
• Lead sales pursuits, proposals, and client presentations to secure new mandates.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with corporate clients, law firms, and partners.
• Collaborate with Markets & Partnerships, Marketing, and regional leaders on go-to-market initiatives and thought leadership.
• Track pipeline, revenue, and growth metrics to deliver on annual targets, operating entrepreneurially in a fast-moving, lightly structured environment where initiative and persistence drive results.

Data analytics consulting

• Develop work plans to identify, collect, aggregate and analyze relevant data from enterprise data systems to support clients and counsel
• Design and implement qualitative and quantitative data analysis methodologies to discover meaningful trends, red flag behavior and optimize operational efficiencies.
• Leverage analytics and technology to identify trends, anomalies, and risk indicators across large, complex datasets.
• Advise clients and colleagues on high-profile, challenging and multi-jurisdictional matters requiring data analytics expertise.
• Lead by example as a hands-on practitioner when needed, applying technical and analytical skills to support project delivery, troubleshoot complex data challenges, and ensure client expectations are met - demonstrating both leadership and ownership of the Americas delivery footprint.

Leadership

• Lead and inspire a diverse, high-performing team across multiple geographies, fostering collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Partner with the Global Discovery + Data Insights leadership team to shape strategy, service offerings, and talent development.
• Build and scale the Americas Data Analytics team: recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent to meet business growth goals.
• Drive cultural and operational change within the Americas practice, influencing peers and stakeholders to embrace innovation, new delivery models, and a growth mindset.
• Mentor and coach junior team members to help them advance professionally and foster a productive and enjoyable work environment.
• Foster clear, consistent communication across teams and stakeholders, ensuring alignment on priorities, progress, and client expectations.

Project management

• Ensure timely, high-quality delivery of complex analytics projects - managing scope, budget, and evolving client priorities with sound judgment, agility, and a bias for action.
• Work to exceed clients’ expectations while identifying and mitigating business risks associated with projects.
• Establish and uphold consistent project management standards and best practices to ensure efficiency, accountability, and quality across all engagements.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including analytics, legal, and compliance experts, to deliver integrated, end-to-end solutions that meet client needs.

Knowledge and experience:

• 7-9 years of relevant professional experience in consulting, investigations, compliance, or analytics-enabled services, with increasing responsibility for project delivery, client engagement, and team leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver analytics-driven solutions that support investigations, regulatory reviews, or compliance transformation initiatives.
• Experience contributing to business development, supporting proposals, pursuits, and client outreach, with a desire to further develop commercial and sales leadership skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and collaboratively across disciplines to deliver high-value outcomes for client.
• Strong understanding of data analytics concepts and visualization tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or Python), able to translate analytical outputs into meaningful insights for clients.
• Familiarity with compliance, legal, or investigative contexts, such as anti-bribery, fraud, AML, sanctions, or broader regulatory frameworks.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic, lightly structured environment, able to take initiative, navigate ambiguity, and drive progress with limited oversight.
• Ambitious and growth-oriented, eager to develop into a senior leadership role and take on increasing commercial and practice-management responsibilities as the Americas practice expands.

Qualifications and specialist skills:

• Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree in data analytics, accounting, finance, or a related field is advantageous.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence presenting to senior stakeholders, clients, and partners.
• Proven ability to build and nurture professional relationships, collaborate effectively across teams, and contribute to client development efforts.
• Familiarity with tools and platforms such as Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or Python, not required to be hands-on daily, but comfortable engaging with technical detail where needed.
• Commercially minded and comfortable in client-facing environments, with a developing interest in business development and go-to-market strategy.
• Self-starter who thrives in a dynamic, lightly structured setting, able to take initiative, adapt quickly, and push projects forward without constant direction.
• Demonstrated leadership and teamwork capabilities, with a focus on mentoring others and fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as client needs arise.
• This role offers a clear pathway for professional growth, including opportunities to expand commercial leadership and progress toward senior leadership positions within the global Data Analytics practice.

This role will have visibility across the Americas leadership team, and frequent collaboration with peers in EMEA and APAC. As such there will be an expectation of travel time of 20% and regular cadence meetings with EMEA and APAC members of the team.

The base salary range for this position is $170,000-$190,000 per year. Exact compensation offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Control Risks is committed to a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.

Control Risksparticipatesin the E-Verify program to confirm employment authorization of all newly hired employees. The E-Verify process is completed during new hire onboarding and completion of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, at the start of employment. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For more information on E-Verify, please visit www.uscis.gov.

• Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarized in the full job offer.
• Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasize the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.
• Medical Benefits, Prescription Benefits, FSA, Dental Benefits, Vision Benefits, Life and AD&D, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Disability Benefits, Voluntary Benefits, 401 (K) Retirement, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program.
• As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process.