Executive Director - Head of Data

Job Overview:

The Executive Director, Head of Data is the senior enterprise leader responsible for defining, executing, and governing Fortrea's enterprise data strategy, operating model, platforms, governance framework, and data product ecosystem.  This role owns the enterprise vision for data and is accountable for establishing the foundational capabilities required to enable data-driven decision-making, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and business transformation across Fortrea.

The Executive Director serves as the enterprise authority for data management, data governance, data architecture, data quality, master data management, metadata management, data products, data platforms, and data operations. The role partners closely with Executive Leadership, Technology, Product Management, Enterprise Architecture, Information Security, Compliance, and Business stakeholders to ensure enterprise data capabilities enable Fortrea's long-term strategic objectives.  As a member of the Data & AI Leadership Team, this individual is responsible for building and leading a high-performing organization while establishing the vision, roadmap, governance, and operating model for all enterprise data capabilities.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Enterprise Data Strategy & Vision

• Develop and execute Fortrea's enterprise data strategy and multi-year data roadmap aligned with business and technology objectives.
• Establish and communicate a clear enterprise vision for data as a strategic business asset.
• Define enterprise priorities for data platforms, governance, analytics enablement, data products, stewardship, and modernization initiatives.
• Translate business strategy into scalable enterprise data capabilities that support growth, innovation, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Identify opportunities to maximize the business value of enterprise data assets.
• Promote a data-driven culture that advances organizational decision-making and business performance.

Enterprise Data Leadership

• Serve as the executive leader responsible for all enterprise data capabilities across Fortrea.
• Establish and oversee the enterprise data operating model, governance structures, and delivery frameworks.
• Lead organizational efforts supporting enterprise data management, data platform services, data governance, master data management, metadata management, and data quality.
• Ensure enterprise-wide alignment on data standards, ownership models, stewardship responsibilities, and governance expectations.
• Drive collaboration across Technology, Product, AI, Security, Compliance, and Business organizations.
• Establish scalable processes supporting long-term growth and operational sustainability.

Data Governance, Quality & Compliance

• Own Fortrea's enterprise data governance strategy, framework, policies, standards, and operating procedures.
• Ensure enterprise data assets meet quality, integrity, accessibility, security, and compliance expectations.
• Establish governance processes supporting data ownership, stewardship, issue management, data lifecycle management, and policy enforcement.
• Partner with Legal, Privacy, Compliance, Risk Management, and Information Security to ensure adherence to internal and external requirements.
• Lead governance forums, data councils, and executive oversight processes.
• Ensure ongoing audit readiness and regulatory compliance related to enterprise data assets.

Data Products & Platform Strategy

• Own the enterprise portfolio of data products, data services, and foundational data capabilities.
• Ensure enterprise data products align with business priorities and support future AI, analytics, and operational needs.
• Partner with Product Management and Architecture leaders to define product roadmaps and platform strategies.
• Drive standardization, scalability, and adoption of enterprise data services.
• Oversee prioritization of investments supporting data modernization and capability expansion.
• Ensure platforms and capabilities support current and future business requirements.

Organizational Leadership & Talent Development

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing organization of data leaders, engineers, architects, governance professionals, analysts, and product teams.
• Establish organizational structures and workforce strategies required to support Fortrea's long-term data objectives.
• Direct leadership succession planning, talent development, workforce planning, and organizational capability building.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
• Drive employee engagement and leadership development across the organization.
• Develop future leaders and critical capabilities that support enterprise growth and sustainability.

Financial & Investment Leadership

• Own enterprise data budgets, investment planning, forecasting, and resource strategies.
• Develop and manage multi-year investment roadmaps supporting enterprise data initiatives and modernization efforts.
• Establish funding priorities and resource allocation strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Evaluate investment opportunities and ensure effective value realization from enterprise data programs.
• Partner with Finance and Executive Leadership on strategic planning, budgeting, and portfolio governance.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of enterprise data investments and resources.

Executive Governance & Enterprise Partnership

• Serve as the executive advisor to senior business and technology leaders regarding enterprise data strategy, governance, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead executive governance forums supporting enterprise data decision-making and strategic alignment.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations, strategic updates, investment recommendations, and performance reviews.
• Partner with Enterprise Architecture, AI, Product Management, Security, Infrastructure, and business leaders to ensure alignment across the enterprise technology ecosystem.
• Influence enterprise decisions related to data strategy, modernization, governance, and transformation initiatives.
• Represent the Data organization in executive planning, investment, and transformation discussions.

Innovation & Future-State Capabilities

• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies related to data management, cloud platforms, governance, analytics, and artificial intelligence.
• Identify opportunities to enhance data capabilities that support innovation and business growth.
• Sponsor strategic initiatives that improve enterprise data maturity and long-term competitiveness.
• Drive adoption of modern data management practices, tools, and operating models.
• Partner with AI leadership to ensure enterprise data foundations effectively support future AI and advanced analytics strategies.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Analytics, Engineering, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience and successful project outcomes in lieu of educational requirements.

Experience (Minimum Required): 

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in Data Management, Data Governance, Analytics, Technology Leadership, or related disciplines.
• 10+ years of leadership experience managing large, enterprise-scale data organizations and capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience developing enterprise data strategies, governance frameworks, and operating models.
• Proven success leading enterprise data modernization, transformation, or digital initiatives.
• Significant experience managing large-scale budgets, investment portfolios, and resource planning.
• Demonstrated executive presence with the ability to influence enterprise-wide business and technology decisions.
• Experience operating within highly regulated industries preferred.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or related field.
• Experience with enterprise data governance platforms, cloud technologies, data management frameworks, analytics ecosystems, and AI-enabled data environments.
• Experience supporting large-scale data and digital transformation programs.
• Familiarity with healthcare, life sciences, CRO, or regulated industry environments.
• Relevant professional certifications in Data Management, Cloud Technologies, Enterprise Architecture, or Technology Leadership preferred.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

Office/Home-Based:

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.
• Occasional drives to site locations with occasional travel both domestic and international.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently stationary for 6-8 hours per day.
• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying, or moving of objects, including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.
• Regular and consistent attendance.
• Varied hours may be required.

Target Pay Range: $220-265K The range does not include benefits, and if applicable, bonus, commission, or equity)

Benefits: All job offers will be based on a candidate’s skills and prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, as well as internal equity and market data. Regular, full-time or part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(K), ESPP, Paid time off (PTO) or Flexible time off (FTO), and Company bonus where applicable. For more detailed information, please click here

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