Business Intelligence Specialist

Penn State University•Ferguson Township, PA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Physical Plant (OPP) at Penn State is seeking a Business Intelligence Specialist to lead and advance business intelligence systems that inform strategic decision-making and operational excellence across one of the University’s largest and most complex organizations. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Programs, this position partners closely with leaders across OPP (including the Director of Operational Technology) to design, implement, and sustain a comprehensive business intelligence framework that leverages data to improve performance, resource allocation, and service delivery. As a member of the OPP team, the successful candidate will embody Penn State’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability, and actively contribute to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees thrive. The location of this position is hybrid and can operate in a hybrid model of both in-person and remote. Standard working hours are in the Eastern Time Zone. Candidates must be able to work in the US without sponsorship.

Requirements

Demonstrated proficiency in Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, SQL Developer, Excel, and Smartsheet.
Experience integrating multiple enterprise systems and developing cross-platform data solutions.
Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and engage collaboratively with diverse teams.
Master's Degree
6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education or large-scale facilities management environments.
Six or more years of progressively responsible experience in business intelligence, project management, data analytics, or enterprise data management preferred.
Familiarity with Power Automate, Power Apps, and AI-based business process automation.
Advanced data visualization and storytelling skills that support executive-level decision-making.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and maintenance of business intelligence (BI) systems, dashboards, and performance metrics to support OPP’s strategic and operational goals.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and data requirements aligned with OPP’s mission, strategic plan, and University initiatives.
Integrate and maintain data connections to OPP and University enterprise systems, including Maximo, Trimble Unity Construct, LionSpace FIS, and Workday.
Develop and maintain data models, reporting frameworks, and visualization tools using Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, SQL, and Smartsheet.
Conduct statistical analysis, forecasting, and scenario modeling to support budget planning, operational optimization, and long-term capital planning.
Design and publish standard and ad hoc reports for leadership and key stakeholders across Finance & Business and the Commonwealth Campuses.
Develop and document business process maps, ensuring data integrity and consistency across systems.
Administer Smartsheet access, coordinate functionality enhancements, and serve as liaison between OPP users and system administrators.
Research and implement emerging technologies—including AI-driven analytics, Power Automate, and Power Apps—to streamline workflows and improve insight delivery.
Provide training, consultation, and technical guidance to users and managers to strengthen data literacy and BI adoption across OPP.
Participate in continuous improvement and change management initiatives supporting OPP’s “Cutting the Red Tape” and “Optimized Service Teams” (OST) initiatives.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

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