Job Description
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Principal Data Strategist is the senior data and analytics mind behind Accela’s Government Advisory work. The role turns government permitting, licensing, and inspection data into strategic insight — owning the data architecture and KPI methodology that power our strategic assessments, KPI Insights offering, and executive readouts. It blends three strengths: executive advisory, strategic data architecture, and bringing innovative, data-driven approaches to how government agencies modernize.
This is a builder’s role. The advisory practice and the KPI Insights offering are scaling across a growing account portfolio, and the data engine behind them needs a senior owner who can both set the methodology and work hands-on with the data itself.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- Data architecture for advisory delivery. Own the data models, extraction logic, and KPI methodology behind strategic assessments — the SQL/ETL, data dictionaries, and source schemas that make each engagement fast, accurate, and repeatable.
- KPI Insights as a productized offering. Mature KPI Insights from a per-engagement effort into a scalable, standardized capability — reusable dashboards, benchmark logic, and a data foundation that holds up across accounts.
- Executive advisory. Sit with government directors and deputy directors. Translate data findings into business impact and clear recommendations; present architecture and data strategy to C-suite and senior public-sector stakeholders.
- Innovation in data & AI strategy. Bring new approaches — AI-assisted analysis, intake-quality measurement, predictive and benchmarking models — to how we read government operations and advise on modernization. Help shape the data side of our AI / OpenCounter / digital-front-door strategy.
- Pre-sales technical credibility. Support RFPs, oral presentations, and discovery with data architecture and migration expertise — sizing data work, de-risking delivery, and giving prospects confidence in the plan.
- Methodology & enablement. Codify standards, frameworks, and playbooks so the practice’s data capability is institutional, not dependent on any single person.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years architecting enterprise data ecosystems — data warehousing, MDM, SQL/ETL/ELT, and complex migrations across fragmented environments.
- Proven delivery in government / public sector — e.g., statewide licensing and permitting platforms, large-scale record migrations, and replacing paper-based processes with digital service delivery.
- Strong Salesforce / platform background, including Public Sector solutions, integrations, and large multi-system consolidations.
- Cloud data fluency — Snowflake, AWS, Azure, modern cloud data warehousing.
- Reporting & analytics depth — turning operational data into KPIs, dashboards, and decision support.
- Executive presence — able to advise C-suite stakeholders on strategy, timelines, capacity, and risk.
- A practice-builder’s instinct — has scaled teams and frameworks, mentored talent, and stood up repeatable delivery processes.
ABOUT ACCELA
For nearly 20 years, Accela has been an industry leader in designing and delivering government software to improve efficiency, increase citizen engagement and enable the development of thriving communities. Today, citizens are savvy to how services should be delivered, and expect a consistently convenient, openly transparent view into their local government. While government agencies struggle to do more with less, our mission has never been more critical. Accela provides a robust, cloud-based platform of government software solutions that accelerate growth, efficiency, and transparency in communities of all sizes. From planning, to building, to service request management and more, Accela’s SaaS offerings level the playing field for small and medium governments and enable smaller agencies to leverage larger city technologies. Our open and flexible technology helps agencies address specific needs today, while ensuring they are well prepared for the emerging challenges of the future.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Accela believes in developing and nurturing a workplace community where our differences are celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of psychological safety and belonging. Accela is committed to putting resources and attention towards evolving our practices, policies, and philosophies to enable diversity to thrive and to support equity in opportunity for everyone.
COMPENSATION AND WELL-BEING
The annual base salary range for this full-time position is $160,000 - $200,000 (less applicable taxes). The actual annual base salary offered may be adjusted based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, location, education, skills, training, and experience. In addition to an annual base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus target. This is a discretionary bonus awarded based on company and individual goal achievement.
Accela’s U.S. team members will receive a generous benefits package consisting of options including flexible time off, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, family planning benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match, health savings account with company contributions, flexible spending account, life, accident, and disability coverage, business travel insurance, employee assistance programs, and other well-being benefits.
Accela is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and will respond to requests for job accommodations.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation
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