Lead Data Analyst

Job Summary:

The Budget Office is seeking a Lead Data Analyst who will report to the Assistant Vice President of Financial Planning Analysis and Budgeting. This position serves as the primary analytics resource for the Budget Office and coordinates the work of external data analytics vendors while overseeing the development and maintenance of dashboards reports data integrations and analytical solutions that support budgeting financial planning and Business Office operations.

The successful candidate will possess strong SQL and data analytics skills with the ability to extract transform and analyze data from multiple sources to generate meaningful insights and support strategic decision-making. This position requires an individual who thrives in a collaborative environment effectively manages competing priorities and works independently with minimal supervision while demonstrating a strong sense of ownership accountability and initiative.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Business Analytics Data Science Computer Science Information Systems or a related field.
• Minimum of four years of professional experience in data analysis business intelligence or a related role.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel including Power Query and data modeling techniques.
• Strong technical skills in writing SQL queries and working with relational database systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot and analyze programming code to identify root causes of issues and implement effective solutions.

• Experience developing dashboards and data visualizations using tools such as Power BI.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to transform complex data into actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) accounting budgeting or financial reporting.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner or a comparable higher education ERP system.
• Experience with Vena Solutions financial planning and reporting software including ETL configuration data integration and template design.
• Familiarity with higher education data reporting and business processes.
• Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions and actionable insights.

Other Qualifications:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship and relocation allowance are not available for this position.
• Must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with the Protection of Minors policy.
• Able to work extended hours if needed and always communicating with their supervisor in advance if unable to attend work.
• The successful candidate will be able to work in an environment that requires excellent time and stress management skills.

Key Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions:

• Oversee and enhance automated data processes that support revenue and expense reporting enabling detailed financial performance analysis of individual departments programs and business units.
• Develop and maintain reports interactive dashboards visualizations and key performance indicators (KPIs) to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Assist in the analysis of student account activity receivables and outstanding balances.
• Extract cleanse transform and analyze large and complex datasets from multiple sources to support management decision-making and strategic planning initiatives.

• Maintain and enhance the Universitys financial planning and reporting software ensuring data integrity system reliability and alignment with business requirements.
• Maintain existing data integrations between the financial planning software Banner ERP and other institutional systems through ETL processes and automated workflows.
• Redesign maintain and continuously improve enrollment and net tuition forecasting to support in-depth analysis by academic program student type and other key drivers.
• Develop test and implement system enhancements process improvements and new functionality to support evolving business needs.

• Partner with Institutional Research and other data owners to document and reconcile shared data definitions reporting populations program mappings and business rules used in financial planning and institutional reporting.
• Serve on the Banner Services and Data Governance Committees and collaborate with the Business Office Institutional Research Information Technology Services and other stakeholders to ensure data structures system mappings and reporting hierarchies support accurate student billing financial reporting and budgeting.
• Monitor data quality and integrity through audits reconciliations and quality assurance processes identifying root causes and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Coordinate and participate in system testing validation and quality assurance activities related to software upgrades enhancements implementations and data integrations.
• Develop maintain and continuously improve documentation of data definitions business rules system mappings and data governance standards to ensure the accuracy consistency and integrity of data used for the Universitys financial reporting budgeting and financial analysis activities.
• Continuously evaluate data management processes and recommend improvements to systems workflows and reporting structures to enhance efficiency and data reliability.
• Must maintain the confidentiality and security of student education records and other sensitive University information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) applicable laws and regulations and University policies.