Data Analyst

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education’s Office of Data and Analytics (ODA) seeks a Data Analyst to support strategic planning and decision-making across the School. Reporting to the Director of ODA, the analyst works with institutional data and information from a variety of campus sources, including academic, budget and finance, human resources, research, and student data. The position develops and maintains reports, dashboards, and analytical tools that provide actionable insights to School leadership, academic departments, and administrative units. The analyst analyzes trends and patterns across operational and institutional data, and supports reporting related to enrollment, retention, scholarships, post-graduation outcomes, course access, graduate education, research activity, and departmental and budget metrics. The role also prepares analysis and reporting for program review, accreditation, rankings submissions, and strategic planning initiatives. The position supports policy analysis, data visualization and business intelligence capabilities, unit initiatives, and procedures that ensure information sources are adequate, high-quality, and reliable.

Requirements

At least one year of professional experience analyzing large datasets to answer organizational, operational, policy, or research questions and produce reports and analyses.
Proficiency querying relational databases using SQL or similar database programming languages.
Experience working with large datasets from operational data systems.
Experience assessing data quality, validating analytical results, and identifying and investigating discrepancies across data sources and reporting systems.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and responsibilities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, including Pivot Tables and Power Query, and PowerPoint.
Bachelor’s degree.

Nice To Haves

Experience using data and analytical methods to evaluate policy or program outcomes and inform policy development and program evaluation.
At least one year of experience working in higher education administration.
At least one year of experience applying statistical analysis methods and/or developing reproducible data analyses using R, Python, SAS, Stata, SPSS, or similar statistical software.
Experience developing end-user-focused dashboards, reports, and data visualizations using Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, or similar business intelligence tools.
Experience with high-stakes reporting and responding to compliance and regulatory requirements.
Experience working with stakeholders to define analytical questions, clarify requirements, and translate business needs into data analyses.
Ability to communicate complex analytical results to technical and non-technical audiences through written reports, presentations, and data visualizations.
Experience developing and maintaining analytical and technical documentation, including using version-control tools such as GitLab.
Interest in exploring appropriate uses of artificial intelligence tools to improve workflow efficiency.
Ability to develop and sustain productive working relationships.
Ability to learn new software, analytical methods, and skills.
Master’s degree and/or a degree in higher education administration, education policy, applied social sciences, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Develop, maintain, and enhance dashboards and reports to support decision-making by School of Education leadership, academic departments, and administrative units.
Analyze trends and patterns across academic, student, research, financial, and other operational data.
Support reporting and analysis related to enrollment, retention, scholarships, post-graduation outcomes, course access, graduate education, research activity, and departmental and budget metrics.
Prepare analysis and reporting for program review, accreditation, rankings submissions, and strategic planning initiatives.
Track information sources relevant to policy development affecting higher education.
Design and develop policy analyses and briefing papers for unit leadership.
Review, monitor, and evaluate policies and data analyses, presenting evidence-based support for unit bids, applications, and decision-making.
Work with the business intelligence/analyst function in computing services to develop data visualization and business intelligence capability.
Provide project support for unit initiatives and help enhance them.
Assist in establishing guidelines and procedures that ensure the adequacy, quality, and reliability of information sources.