Assistant Commissioner; Chief of Accountability and Analytics

Reference Number
: DOE-012-26
Title
:
Assistant Commissioner (Chief of Accountability and Analytics)
Range/Title Code
: M98/99985
Salary
: $
Position Number: TBD
Issue Date
:
June 18, 2026
Closing Date
:
July 2, 2026
Core Hours of Operation:7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location
:
Trenton, New Jersey
Division
:
Division of Accountability and Analytics, Office of the Assistant Commissioner

The Assistant Commissioner for Accountability and Analytics serves as a senior executive leader within the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), responsible for the strategic direction and operational oversight of the agency’s data systems, school and district accountability frameworks, and applied research and program evaluation functions. This position plays a pivotal role in ensuring that data-driven insights inform policy decisions, drive equitable outcomes for all students, and uphold the integrity of state and federal accountability requirements.

This position reports directly to the New Jersey Commissioner of Education.

This is a high-visibility, high-impact leadership role requiring exceptional expertise in educational data systems, accountability policy, and quantitative research. The Assistant Commissioner will lead a multi-disciplinary team of analysts, researchers, data engineers, and policy professionals, while serving as a key advisor to the Commissioner and senior leadership on matters of data governance, performance reporting, and evidence-based practice.

Data & Reporting Systems Leadership

• Provide critical input to the design, development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the department’s data systems, including student information systems, educator data platforms, and interoperability infrastructure.
• Establish and enforce data governance policies, standards, and security protocols in compliance with FERPA, state privacy laws, and federal reporting requirements in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology.
• Lead the department’s data modernization strategy, including migration to cloud-based platforms, adoption of automated reporting pipelines, and integration of emerging data technologies.
• Oversee the production of all state and federal data reports and state report cards, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, transparency, and usability.
• Partner with district and school technology leaders to strengthen data quality, local reporting capacity, and use of state data tools.

School & District Accountability

• Direct the implementation and continuous refinement of the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) accountability system, including indicator development, school identification, and improvement framework design.
• Lead cross-agency collaboration with federal partners, legislative offices, and local education agencies (LEAs) to align accountability policies with state educational priorities.
• Oversee the calculation and public release of accountability determinations for all public schools and districts statewide.
• Develop equitable accountability frameworks that appropriately account for student subgroup performance, growth measures, and contextual factors.
• Serve as the department’s primary liaison to the State Board of Education and legislative education committees on accountability reporting, results interpretation, and policy recommendations.

Research, Evaluation & Applied Analytics

• Lead the department’s research and program evaluation agenda, including the design and execution of rigorous studies on the effectiveness of state initiatives, interventions, and educational programs.
• Direct the use of advanced analytics methods, including predictive modeling, trend analysis, and causal inference, to generate actionable insights for department leaders and stakeholders.
• Oversee the department’s partnerships with universities, think tanks, and research institutes to expand the evidence base informing state education policy.
• Ensure the ethical use of data in research activities, including appropriate privacy protections, IRB compliance, and transparent reporting of findings.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, accessible reports and presentations for diverse audiences…