VP Data Operations

About Us

Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 97-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter.

Summary

The Vice President of Data Operations is a key leadership role responsible for the governance, quality, and management of the organization's data assets. This individual will be a strategic driver and change agent, tasked with leading the transformation of how data is managed, leveraged, and integrated across the business. The VP will play a critical role in embedding data-driven decision-making into the organization’s DNA and ensuring alignment with business goals.

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader who thrives in fast-paced, complex environments, possesses strong business acumen, and has a track record of driving organizational change through innovative data strategies and operational excellence.

This position will support our Data Operations team. It is eligible to work a hybrid schedule, generally requiring work in-office and/or show-site 2-3 days per week. The ideal candidate will be located in Chicago, IL; however, we are also open to candidates based out of:

• McCook, IL
• Dallas, TX

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Data Strategy & Leadership:

• Lead the development and execution of the organization’s data strategy to align with business objectives.
• Serve as the organization's primary advocate for data governance, data quality, and data integration initiatives.
• Drive the transformation of data operations to support a data-driven culture, making data more accessible and actionable for decision-making.
• Act as a change agent, influencing senior leadership and cross-functional teams to adopt and integrate new data processes, tools, and mindsets.
• Establish a centralized team, Analytics Center of Excellence, to drive best practices in data analytics and ensure alignment with business goals
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to leverage diverse expertise and foster innovation
• Implement robust training programs to enhance data literacy across the organization

Data Governance & Compliance:

• Establish and oversee enterprise-wide data governance frameworks, ensuring that data is managed as a valuable corporate asset.
• Promote a culture of data governance to maintain data integrity and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Ensure compliance with data-related policies, standards, and regulations, while driving continuous improvement in data management processes.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for data governance and quality, ensuring the organization meets its data-related goals.
• Develop and enforce standardized data definitions and formats to ensure consistency and accuracy
• Utilize structured semantic data to improve searchability and integration across systems
• Regularly review and update data standards to adapt to evolving business needs and technologies
• Implement comprehensive policies for data classification, retention, and protection to safeguard sensitive information
• Establish clear guidelines for data access control to ensure only authorized personnel can access critical data

Operational Excellence:

• Develop and maintain efficient and scalable data operations to support the organization’s evolving needs.
• Implement data management best practices and drive automation in data workflows to improve productivity and accuracy.
• Lead efforts to improve data quality, integrity, and availability across all business units, ensuring that data is reliable and fit for purpose.
• Set clear expectations and performance metrics for IT teams to align their efforts with business objectives

Technology & Innovation:

• Collaborate with the IT and data engineering teams to evaluate, implement, and manage data platforms and technologies that enable advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI capabilities.
• Stay current with emerging trends in data management, governance, and analytics, ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of data innovation.
• Foster a culture of accountability by regularly reviewing IT performance and addressing any gaps or issues
• Encourage transparent communication and collaboration between IT and other departments to ensure mutual understanding and support

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing data operations team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration between data, IT, and business teams to optimize data operations and drive strategic initiatives.
• Build a diverse, inclusive team that champions data literacy and enables widespread data-driven decision-making.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, Information Systems, Business, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in data management, data governance, or data operations roles.
• Proven track record of driving organizational change and transforming data operations to align with business goals.
• Experience with large-scale enterprise data initiatives, preferably within industries undergoing digital transformation.
• Strong knowledge of data governance frameworks, data quality management, and regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and influence cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Hands-on experience with modern data platforms, analytics tools, and cloud technologies is a plus.
  

What We Offer

Freeman provides benefits that aim to empower our people and their families to thrive mentally, physically, and financially. These are a handful of the types of programs and benefits our full-time people may be eligible for. There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, Accident and Disability
• Retirement with Company Match
• Paid Time Off

Diversity Commitment

At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. 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, veteran status and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.