Data Analyst

at  Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is seeking a Data Analyst to serve in the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education (OFAPE). It is an exciting time at Vanderbilt as the University officially welcomed C. Cybele Raver as its new Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs on July 1, 2021. Under the leadership of Provost Raver, the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education is leading bold new initiatives and strengthening existing programs. The Data Analyst works closely with leaders across OFAPE and reports directly to the Assistant Provost for Professional Education.
The Data Analyst is responsible for building data analytics and strategic insights capabilities in OFAPE and the Office of the Provost. The role works cross-functionally to understand organizational data and reporting needs, lead data analysis for key initiatives, and deliver data-driven strategic findings to OFAPE and university leadership. This role will partner with the Office of Data and Strategic Analytics, with the responsibility of staying up to date on institutional resources and training related to the University’s overall data strategy. This is a highly collaborative, analytical role that will require managing ambiguity to drive significant impact across OFAPE and the Office of the Provost.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education (OFAPE) in the Office of the Provost is led by the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education (VP). OFAPE exists to support and champion Vanderbilt faculty at every stage of their career and to promote and advise professional academic programs. Vanderbilt University has over 4,000 full-time faculty across ten schools and colleges. Five schools are primarily professional schools, and multiple professional programs reside in four additional schools. The OFAPE includes the Center for Teaching, the Office of Faculty Appointments, the Office of Faculty Development, the Office of Digital Education, and the Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment, and Accreditation. The OFAPE leadership team includes six directors (one for each of those offices as well as the director for strategy and communications) and two associate provosts (faculty affairs and faculty development).

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
• At least nine hours (three undergraduate or graduate-level courses) in statistics, finance, and/or data analytics is required.
• An advanced degree (J.D., M.B.A., or Ph.D.) from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in data analysis or strategic research. An advanced degree (such as an MBA) in one of those subjects can count toward years of experience.
• Experience working in management consulting, finance, or a fast-paced tech company is preferred. Experience working in higher education is highly preferred.
• Experience working with data collection, reporting, and visualization systems such as Tableau, Qualtrics, and Stata is required.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to articulate and present information to various and diverse audiences is required.
• Evidence of exceptional judgment and decision-making skills is required.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information is required.
• Ability to think strategically to manage multiple projects/initiatives with changing priorities and strict deadlines in a rapidly changing environment is required.
• Evidence of working with multiple diverse constituencies in a confident and supportive manner is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current issues and challenges in higher education is required.

Data Reporting Strategy & Business Processes

• Increase data literacy in OFAPE and Office of the Provost to encourage a culture of data-driven decision making.
• Partner with OFAPE and Office of the Provost leadership to understand data-reporting needs and define the required systems and processes for enablement.
• Document processes for data collection and reporting, seeking efficiencies where possible but also developing documentation to protect data integrity and transparency.
• Serve as data steward for data under the ownership of OFAPE, including faculty data, representing OFAPE in Data Governance discussions.
• Partner with OFAPE colleagues, deans’ offices, and DSA to improve data quality, ensure data integrity and enhance usability

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Data Reporting Strategy & Business Processes

• Increase data literacy in OFAPE and Office of the Provost to encourage a culture of data-driven decision making.
• Partner with OFAPE and Office of the Provost leadership to understand data-reporting needs and define the required systems and processes for enablement.
• Document processes for data collection and reporting, seeking efficiencies where possible but also developing documentation to protect data integrity and transparency.
• Serve as data steward for data under the ownership of OFAPE, including faculty data, representing OFAPE in Data Governance discussions.
• Partner with OFAPE colleagues, deans’ offices, and DSA to improve data quality, ensure data integrity and enhance usability.

Data Analysis & Visualization

• Analyze complex data, including financial, HR, platform and academic program data, to address key organizational needs and shape strategic priorities.
• Develop dynamic data reporting dashboards to track key performance indicators for executive level audiences. Vanderbilt’s preferred reporting system is Tableau.

Strategic Insights & Market Research

• Create presentations to communicate strategic, data-informed findings and recommendations to executive leadership, including Vanderbilt’s Board of Trust.
• Conduct market research, including the analysis of labor market trends, benchmarking data and competitive insights for key initiatives.

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville , Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities… we are One Vanderbilt .
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self , while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position