Data Strategist & Analytics Specialist

SMX is seeking an experienced Data Strategist & Analytics Specialist to serve as the primary data authority for our organization's Theater/Tactical Mission Network (TMN) operations. This individual will be responsible for the full data lifecycle — from sourcing and validation through workflow design and strategic planning — ensuring that data assets are accurate, actionable, and efficiently utilized across all supported units and subcontractor deliverables. This position requires an active DoD Secret clearance with Top Secret SCI eligibility which requires US citizenship for work on DoD contracts. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Data Source Validation Evaluate, vet, and validate data sources for accuracy, reliability, completeness, and relevance to mission requirements. Conduct structured assessments of data providers to determine operational and analytical value, and provide go/no-go recommendations to leadership. Maintain a registry of approved, conditional, and rejected data sources with supporting rationale. Data Visualization Review (DVR) Oversight Review and quality-assure Data Visualization Review (DVR) products created by subcontractors in response to supported unit Requests for Information (RFIs). Assess DVR deliverables against defined standards for accuracy, design fidelity, analytical integrity, and alignment with the originating RFI. Provide written feedback, approval, or rejection of subcontractor products, and coordinate revisions as needed. TMN Data Strategy Development Develop, document, and maintain a comprehensive TMN Data Strategy that aligns data collection, management, and dissemination practices with organizational and mission objectives. Identify capability gaps in current data infrastructure and recommend improvements. Establish data governance frameworks including ownership, stewardship, quality standards, and lifecycle policies. Data Usage & Utilization Efficiency Analyze current data usage patterns and identify redundancies, inefficiencies, and underutilized assets across the organization. Implement best practices to maximize the value extracted from existing data resources while reducing waste and duplication. Collaborate with supported units and internal stakeholders to align data consumption with operational priorities. Data Workflow Design & Implementation Design, document, and optimize end-to-end data workflows, including ingestion, processing, storage, access, and dissemination pipelines. Standardize workflow procedures to ensure repeatability, traceability, and quality control across all data operations. Work with technical teams to automate or streamline manual data processes where feasible. Data Provider Evaluation Conduct structured evaluations of current and prospective data providers to assess the value, reliability, and mission relevance of their offerings. Develop and apply a repeatable provider assessment methodology, including criteria such as data freshness, coverage, accuracy, licensing, and cost-benefit analysis. Produce provider validation reports and present findings and recommendations to decision-makers. Required Skills/Experience: Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Information Systems, Operations Research, Computer Science, or a related field (Master's preferred). 5+ years of experience in data analysis, data management, or a related discipline, preferably in a defense, intelligence, or government contracting environment. Demonstrated experience reviewing and evaluating data products or visualizations for technical accuracy and analytical quality. Strong understanding of data governance, data quality frameworks, and lifecycle management principles. Experience developing or contributing to organizational data strategies or roadmaps. Proficiency with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, ArcGIS, or similar platforms). Familiarity with structured data environments, relational databases, and common data formats (JSON, XML, CSV, shapefiles, etc.). Excellent writ…