Manager, Data Analytics

Western Governors University•Salt Lake City, UT

1d•$116,600 - $209,900•Onsite

About The Position

At WGU, data is a powerful tool for understanding student experiences, driving institutional effectiveness, and improving outcomes at scale. As the Manager, Data Analytics, you will lead a team of data analysts responsible for delivering insights that support Academic Delivery and School Analytics stakeholders across the university. In this role, you will combine people leadership, technical expertise, and strategic thinking to help leaders make informed decisions that enhance student success. You will partner closely with academic and operational leaders to translate complex business questions into actionable analytics, foster a culture of data-informed decision-making, and contribute to WGU's commitment to equity and extraordinary student outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
5 years of experience in a Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Decision Intelligence, Computer Science, Marketing Analytics, Mathematics, or a related domain.
1 year of experience in people leadership.
Ability to create healthy work environments conducive to collaboration, learning, accountability, and high performance, including experience with hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
Experience defining team and individual objectives utilizing OKRs, SMART metrics, and similar frameworks.
Demonstrated proficiency handling diverse data sources and advanced data manipulation techniques, including experience measuring, collecting, analyzing, and reporting data to optimize student outcomes.
Advanced SQL proficiency, including joins, aggregations, window functions, common table expressions (CTEs), views, data modification statements, and performance tuning.
Experience with Tableau, Power BI, or similar data visualization platforms.
Experience applying forecasting methods, descriptive statistics, experimentation, hypothesis testing, and diagnostic analytics to solve complex business problems.
Experience using Agile project management methodologies and tools such as JIRA, Trello, or similar platforms.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel.
Experience using diagramming and collaboration tools such as Miro, Lucidchart, or similar applications.
Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, reliability, initiative, and accountability while managing multiple priorities effectively.
Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, professional development, innovation, and growth.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Python and/or R.
Experience working within higher education.
Familiarity with higher education data sources such as IPEDS, National Student Clearinghouse, Burning Glass, EMSI, or similar data sources supporting analytics and institutional decision-making.
Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this role may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as one year of experience for one year of education and is at the discretion of the hiring manager.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a team of data analysts while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture.
Partner with Academic Delivery, School Analytics, and cross-functional stakeholders to identify analytics needs, define priorities, and translate business requirements into actionable analytical solutions.
Drive complex analytics initiatives from planning through execution, including project management, stakeholder communication, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and ongoing monitoring.
Lead the development and delivery of reports, dashboards, forecasts, and analytical insights that support strategic and operational decision-making.
Collaborate with Data Engineering and technical partners to identify appropriate data sources, improve data pipelines, and support the development of scalable data products.
Use data visualization, storytelling, and analytical rigor to communicate findings and recommendations that drive action and improve outcomes.
Support data literacy, KPI development, operational excellence, and responsible data governance across the university.