Senior Data and Automation Engineer

Strategic Education, Inc. is an education organization seeking a Senior Data and Automation Engineer for its Marketing Operations team. The role maintains marketing data infrastructure, manages campaign audiences and list delivery, and builds AI-powered automations, integrations, and tools while supporting structured AI adoption across the marketing organization.

Responsibilities:

• Own and maintain the Marketing Operations Data Mart (MODM), including sourcing new data fields, managing tables as the reference source of truth, and coordinating with IT as business needs evolve
• Manage and deliver campaign audience lists and segment files for Capella campaigns, including complex targeting scenarios that require data outside of the MODM
• Subject matter expert and go-to resource for data questions across Marketing — field selection, data access, and interpretation of USHE data in context
• Respond to ad hoc data requests from teams outside of Marketing, applying judgment and institutional context to respond accurately and efficiently
• Provide strategic data consultation — connecting business questions to what the data can support and proactively identifying opportunities for stronger segmentation and audience strategy
• Audit current data processes and reports to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement
• Serve as liaison throughout Marketing for IT and Data Engineering partners
• Serve as Marketing’s embedded AI resource, functioning in both a builder and an enabler capacity as the situation requires
• Build automations, API integrations, and AI-powered tools for marketing teams that lack the access, licenses, or technical capacity to build independently
• Develop and maintain workflow automations within platforms such as Adobe Workfront Fusion, including project intake automations, routing and status workflows, and API connections to broader marketing tools and processes
• Pilot and test new AI use cases before broader rollout; proposing tools that would enhance adoption if necessary. Then, measure and report on the performance and adoption of automated workflows and AI initiatives to inform what to scale, optimize, or retire
• Troubleshoot system integrations, API connections, and workflow errors as part of ongoing maintenance
• Serve as a centralized resource for AI adoption across the marketing organization — maintaining prompt best practices, sharing tools and resources, and providing consultation on AI approach and implementation
• Stay current on emerging AI tools, platforms, and capabilities relevant to marketing and proactively share knowledge across the team
• Identify inefficiencies across marketing workflows and build scalable, repeatable solutions with an automation-first mindset
• Support the transition from ad hoc AI experimentation to structured, normalized AI practices across the marketing organization

Requirements:

• Proficiency in SQL; experience with analytic and data retrieval tools (SAS, SQL, and/or R)
• Strong technical experience with enterprise data systems and data mart environments
• Familiarity with Email Service Platforms (Eloqua preferred)
• Strong experience with audience identification, segmentation, and list management best practices
• Proficiency with AI tools, large language models, and prompt engineering
• Experience building automations, API integrations, or workflow tools — familiarity with platforms such as Adobe Workfront, Adobe Workfront Fusion , Zapier, Make, or similar
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate ambiguous business questions into data or technical solutions
• Ability to identify, assess, and evaluate process improvement opportunities
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Clearly established ability to innovate and execute
• Strong track record of effective communication with the immediate team and other departments with an overall strong leadership presence
• Proven ability to influence change and drive adoption of new tools and practices
• Capacity to work successfully in an ambiguous environment
• Strong personal brand and credibility; strategic thinking and ability to influence across several levels
• Internal drive to continue to learn and grow as a professional and individual
• 5-8 years of experience in marketing operations, data operations, or a related field
• Strong effective interpersonal skills including the ability to work with all levels of management, staff, external vendors, and others
• Knowledge of business and management principles and practices
• Knowledge of project management principles and practices
• Strong database and data management skills
• Bachelor's degree required, from an accredited institution
• Must be able to travel occasionally should a business need arise
• Ability to work onsite in Corporate or Campus location (in a typical office environment) may be required based on role. If so, this would include being mobile within the office, including movement from floor-to-floor using elevators or stairs
• If offsite or hybrid role, must have access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location
• Must be able to meet critical thinking and problem solving aspects aligned to job duties, as well as effectively communicating with co-workers
• Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant. Accommodations related to schedule may be considered
• Able to access information using a computer
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python or JavaScript for data manipulation and custom automation (preferred)
• Preferred 5 years of marketing operations or data operations experience