Lead Analyst, Advancement Data

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

10d•$88,400 - $104,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Analyst, Advancement Data serves as a senior technical and analytical resource supporting the University of Chicago Advancement data systems. Reporting to the Director, Advancement Data, the position collaborates with the Senior Director, Data Strategy and Marketing Technology, Advancement stakeholders, and technology partners to assess system impacts and develop reliable, well-documented solutions. The role combines data architecture and business analysis across the CRM, data warehouse, and connected platforms, translating business needs into technical requirements, supporting data modeling and integration, documenting system architecture, and providing technical leadership on projects. The position works independently across multiple systems, develops new and existing systems using best practices, and anticipates evolving business requirements to identify and implement process improvements, system alternatives, and enhancements. It provides technical guidance and mentorship to team members, while coordinating with stakeholders and technical partners to deliver effective data and system solutions. This position has a hybrid work schedule with weekly in-office presence, in a standard office environment. Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business may be required. The role may require evening and weekend work. It is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court and is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization. Scheduled weekly hours are 37.5. The salary range is $88,400 to $104,000, and the position is benefits eligible.

Requirements

College or university degree in a related field.
Five to seven years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Minimum five years of demonstrated experience managing projects involving stakeholder management, requirements gathering, development of technical specifications, implementation, and evaluation (preferred qualifications section).
Minimum five years of experience with enterprise data integration, ETL/ELT processes, data pipelines, and data platforms (preferred qualifications section).
Experience designing and maintaining logical and physical data models across enterprise systems, including CRM, data warehouse, or comparable data environments (preferred).
Experience analyzing and troubleshooting complex data or system issues, including root cause analysis, impact assessment, and recommended solutions (preferred).
Skill and knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, the University's internal workings and Advancement technology tools, including Phoenix, the University's Donor Relationship Management Salesforce System (preferred).
Proficiency in a Microsoft Windows environment, especially Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access (preferred).
Advanced proficiency in SQL and strong experience with complex data structures, relational modeling, and dimensional modeling (preferred).
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively and explain complex ideas clearly.
Ability to analyze and draw conclusions from large data sets.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and tact and act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting, take initiative, and independently prioritize and follow through on multiple projects with attention to detail.
Ability to communicate technical concepts, requirements, and recommendations effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to work effectively in a rapidly changing environment.
Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in management information systems, business administration, statistics, computer science, analytics, social sciences, or related fields.
Demonstrated experience managing stakeholder-facing technical projects, gathering requirements, developing technical specifications, implementing solutions, and evaluating results.
Experience with enterprise data integration, ETL/ELT processes, data pipelines, and data platforms.
Experience designing and maintaining logical and physical models across CRM, data warehouse, or comparable enterprise environments.
Experience in complex data and system troubleshooting, root cause analysis, impact assessment, and solution development.
Knowledge of University systems and Advancement technology tools, including Phoenix, or ability to learn them quickly.
Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
Advanced SQL proficiency and experience with complex data structures, relational modeling, and dimensional modeling.

Responsibilities

Design and maintain logical and physical data models across the CRM, data warehouse, and connected systems; identify architecture gaps and conflicts and recommend resolutions.
Coordinate with stakeholders to identify business needs, translate them into data and system requirements, and perform impact analysis for maintenance and enhancement of Advancement applications.
Design and implement scalable data pipelines, integration frameworks, and management procedures for reliable data flow among Advancement systems and other platforms.
Assess complex or unexpected data and system issues, investigate root causes and impacts, recommend priorities and solutions, and coordinate resolution with technical and functional teams.
Improve enterprise data workflows through performance enhancements, automation, and other system and process improvements.
Lead documentation of business decisions, system processes, data governance, integration workflows, system architecture, metadata, and operational procedures.
Develop and recommend standards and practices for requirements gathering and documentation, and guide team members in applying them consistently.
Provide technical leadership for Advancement data projects, including solution design, technical analysis and review, issue resolution, and guidance on developing and documenting technical work.
Mentor analysts and other team members in data modeling, SQL, integration design, requirements gathering, and troubleshooting.
Evaluate opportunities to incorporate AI and emerging technologies into data workflows, assessing value, appropriate use, and limitations in partnership with team leadership.
Liaise with Advancement stakeholders, subject matter experts, and technical partners, including Reporting, ITS, the enterprise data warehouse team, and Systems and Process Improvements; communicate recommendations and technical considerations to leadership as appropriate.
Pursue professional development, build networks within the University and with peer institutions, and support broad diversification of the advancement profession.
Translate business and user needs into system requirement specifications using a thorough understanding of business systems and industry requirements.
Recommend process improvements in existing applications and revise system logic as necessary; design, develop, and implement applications, systems architecture, network systems, and application infrastructures.
Communicate and present system enhancements and alternatives to colleagues in IT management.
Perform other related work as needed.