Job Title: ย Director, Data Platform & Systems Reports to: ย Department: ย Global Resource Engagement & Mobilization (G-REM) Grade:ย ย 12
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Job Summary
The Director, Data Platform & Systems is responsible for shaping and executing the roadmap for fundraising and marketing technology stack, data platform and systems. This role focuses on platform strategy, project management, and process improvement, while driving initiatives that improve data observability and access, modernize integration with digital marketing, advertising platforms and ERP systems, and implement solutions that enable Unified Constituent View. The Director ensures that data systems are scalable, secure, and aligned with organizational and divisional goals to support resource mobilization, donor engagement, and operational excellence.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
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Platform Assessment, Roadmap & Strategy
Develop and maintain a strategic roadmap for data platforms and related systems. Assess and recommend emerging technologies to enable a Unified Constituent view. Align platform initiatives with organizational and divisional priorities and fundraising objectives. Lead cross-functional projects to enhance data infrastructure and integrations. Recommend optimizations for existing systems to improve performance, scalability, and user experience. Evaluate the feasibility, build a business case, and implement a Customer Data Platform (CDP) to unify donor and engagement data.ย
Marketing Technology Optimization and Automation
Optimize marketing automation platform that supports omnichannel orchestration,ย dynamic content personalization, and predictive analytics. Oversee data integration initiatives with digital advertising platforms for unified attribution modeling and cross-channel performance insights.ย Partner with key stakeholders to develop master segmentation that spans all channels and supports predictive segmentation.ย Collaborate with digital teams on positioning data strategies (e.g. de-anonymization and zero-party data strategies, etc.) to improve personalization, trust, and compliance while driving measurable outcomes.ย
Data Governance & Observability
Establish and maintain data governance frameworks, including quality, security, and compliance standards. Improve data observability to monitor health, accuracy, and reliability of data pipelines, integrations, and upstream systems. Promote and educate the division on best practices for data stewardship.ย
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Platform, Technology, and CRM Vendor Relationshipsย
Lead the relationship with technology and platform vendors. Evaluate vendor performance and ensure delivery of high-quality services and adherence to service level agreements.ย Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through vendor consolidation, process optimization, strategic sourcing, and the reduction of technology redundancies.ย Forecast and monitor expenditures and capacity for technology usage, licensing, and infrastructure to maintain cost efficiency. Ensure data platform costs are aligned with budget.ย
Leadership & Collaboration
Manage and mentor members of the Data Platform & Systems Team and its partners. Design an on-demand training program for data platforms and systems, leveraging best practices from across the agency. Build and maintain strong partnerships across the agency and external partners to drive alignment and adoption. Act as a bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating complex concepts into actionable strategies.Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in business administration, computer science or related field. Minimum 8 years of experience in data analytics, MarTech, CRM systems, or a related role.ย Minimum 5 years of management experience leading and coaching teams. Experience managing complex, cross-functional initiatives. Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI. Experience managing procurement systems and external vendors.Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in computer science.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Expert knowledge in data governance, observability, and integration of best practices.ย Expert knowledge of customer relationship management (CRM) and case management systems such as Clearview CRM or Salesforce. Strong knowledge of fundraising principles and donor engagement strategies to ensure systems support CRSโ goals.ย Strong knowledge of marketing automation platforms and segmentation. Strong knowledge of knowledge management and learning platforms. Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Strong project management skills. Experience with cloud data platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP. Experience with web analytics platforms such as GA4, Google Tag Manager, and Adobe. Strong knowledge of customer data platform (CDP) architecture and ETL and Reverse ETL technologies. Knowledge of SQL and Python. Knowledge of Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning (+ML Ops), Agentic AI, etc.ย
Required Languages: ย English, (French or Spanish a plus)
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Travel:ย domestic only, if needed
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Supervisory Responsibilities:ย Yes
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Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Personal Accountability โ Consistently takes responsibility for oneโs own actions.ย Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.ย Is considered honest. Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions. Collaborates with Others โ Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams. Open to Learn โ Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.Agency Leadership Competencies:
Lead Change โ Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation. Develops and Recognizes Others โ Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance. Strategic Mindset โ Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.ย
What we offer
CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.ย Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.ย CRSยด work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.ย
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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.ย Catholic Relief Servicesย works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. ย Catholic Relief Servicesโย relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.ย We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRSโ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.
CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.ย The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRSยด Code of Conduct.
CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.
Disclaimer:ย This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.ย
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
General Requirements
CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidateโs ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.ย ย All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.