
Nick Valiotti
Fractional Chief Data Officer helping founders make data-driven decisions
Bio
I’m a Fractional Chief Data Officer with 15+ years in analytics, working with founders and leadership teams at SaaS and digital companies. I usually come in when data exists, dashboards are built, but decisions still feel unclear. My focus is not tools or reports. It’s helping teams agree on what matters, how it’s measured, and how data supports real business decisions. Typical things I help with: • Defining the right metrics and decision framework • Data and analytics strategy for the next 6–12 months • Aligning product, marketing, and finance around the same numbers • Designing analytics teams, roles, and priorities I often start with a short strategy or assessment phase, and then continue as a Fractional CDO — staying close to leadership while execution is handled by internal teams or partners. Background: PhD in Analytics (Georgia Tech), founder of Valiotti Analytics. Worked across SaaS, FinTech, EdTech, eCommerce, and product-driven businesses.
Expertise
Artificial intelligence
With a PhD in Neural Networks, I specialize in applying AI to solve complex business challenges. I’ve developed chatbots and AI agents to automate routine data analytics tasks, improving efficiency and enabling teams to focus on strategic decisions. From natural language processing to machine learning models, I leverage AI to enhance workflows, driving smarter insights and automating repetitive processes to save time and resources.
Data science
I’m a data consultant with 15+ years of experience in building end-to-end data systems—warehouses, ETL pipelines, BI dashboards, and predictive models. With a PhD in Neural Networks and deep expertise in Python, SQL, and tools like Tableau & Metabase, I help teams unlock growth through smarter analytics. From startups to enterprise, I’ve led projects that drive real impact across FinTech, EdTech, SaaS, Mobile Apps, and beyond.
Product analytics
I specialize in product analytics, helping teams track key metrics like DAU, MAU, and retention in real-time. It is vital to build dashboards that surface user behavior and guide product decisions. From funnel analysis to cohort retention and A/B testing, product data should lead to actionable insights. I’ve worked with cross-functional teams to improve features, boost engagement, and drive growth through a data-informed product development process.
Remote work
I’ve been working remotely for several years, collaborating with global teams across different time zones and cultures. I’m experienced in managing projects, ensuring clear communication, and driving results while working independently or in cross-functional teams. Remote work allows me to bring flexible, high-quality data solutions to clients, no matter where they are.
Toolkit
Google Data Studio
9 years of experienceI specialize in Looker Data Studio, building scalable, insightful dashboards tailored to business needs. I've delivered 50+ reports for teams across SaaS, FinTech, and EdTech, helping them track KPIs, uncover trends, and make faster decisions. I focus on clean, intuitive design, efficient data modeling, and seamless integration with BigQuery and other sources. I also guide analysts in mastering Looker for self-serve BI and smarter reporting.
MySQL
13 years of experiencehave advanced expertise in MySQL, using it to design, optimize, and maintain high-performance databases. I specialize in writing complex queries, creating efficient data models, and ensuring data integrity across large-scale systems. I’ve worked extensively with indexing, joins, and query optimization to speed up data retrieval and improve application performance. My experience includes handling complex data transformations and integrating MySQL with BI tools for deeper insights.
Python
12 years of experiencePython has been at the core of my work in data engineering, analytics, and science. I use it to build ETL pipelines, automate workflows, develop statistical models, and create custom analytics tools. From data cleaning to ML prototyping, Python enables me to deliver scalable, production-ready solutions. I’ve also led teams and mentored analysts in writing clean, efficient code for real business impact.
Tableau
13 years of experienceI’m a certified Tableau expert (since 2020) and an official Tableau Partner as of 2024. I’ve built over 100 dashboards for companies across various industries, turning raw data into actionable insights. My work spans everything from executive BI reports to in-depth product and marketing analytics. Beyond building, I mentor data analysts, sharing best practices in dashboard design, data storytelling, and performance optimization in Tableau.
My best written content
- https://valiotti.medium.com/how-we-grew-an-edtech-startups-profit-25x-in-one-year-with-analytics-93812912f083
- https://valiotti.com/blog/navigating-data-building-your-own-dream-team-or-partnering-with-experts/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-why-we-created-3-linkedin-dashboards-nick-valiotti-kp9yf/?trackingId=kydVqkIjSXaN%2BBCr3dlnHw%3D%3D