Program Operation Analyst

Western Governors University•Salt Lake City, UT

1d•$60,300 - $90,500•Onsite

About The Position

This role is the producer behind WGU’s Career Accelerator student experience — a behind-the-scenes role purpose-built to keep the program running, the data flowing, and the logistics seamless from Orientation through the end of the first year. Where the Engagement Specialist is the visible point of contact for students, the Operations Specialist is the analytical and operational backbone that makes everything they do possible. This is a data-first role at heart. This role owns the dashboards, reports, and student-experience analytics that tell leadership what’s working, what’s not, and where to act. Translates insight into operational reality — coordinating event logistics, owning the cohort calendar, supporting program transitions, and serving as the cross-functional liaison between the Career Accelerator team and the rest of WGU. If the Engagement Specialist makes the student feel seen, the Operations Specialist makes sure the show runs.

Requirements

Strong data analysis skills — comfortable working with student-level data, building segmentations, identifying trends, and translating numbers into clear recommendations
Experience with reporting and dashboarding tools such as Salesforce reports/dashboards, Tableau, Power BI, or equivalents
Advanced Excel skills — pivot tables, lookups, complex formulas, comfort with large datasets
Comfort with the measurement cycle — survey design, instrumentation, analysis, and feeding insight back into program adjustments
Strong project management instincts — able to keep many moving parts running on parallel timelines without losing track of the details
Highly organized with the ability to manage event logistics, calendars, campaigns, and records with precision
Comfortable working calmly in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities
Self-directed, reliable, and able to hold accountability across multiple workstreams
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills — able to translate data into clear, actionable narratives for non-data audiences
Strong cross-functional communication skills — comfortable working across academic, administrative, technical, and student-facing teams
Diplomatic and trustworthy — earns confidence with internal partners and represents the program well in cross-departmental settings
Proficiency with technology platforms used in this role: Microsoft Teams, Outlook, WebEx, Salesforce, and reporting platforms
Comfort learning new tools quickly and identifying opportunities for operational improvement
Cultural competence and demonstrated experience supporting initiatives that serve diverse student populations
Commitment to equity and access in higher education
Growth mindset with commitment to continuous professional development
Bachelor’s degree in data analytics, business operations, higher education administration, or related field
3 years of demonstrated experience in program operations, data analysis, business operations, or a closely related role
Strong analytical skills with demonstrated experience translating data into recommendations for action
Experience coordinating events, campaigns, or programs with multiple stakeholders
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Higher Education, Business Analytics, Operations, or related discipline
Hands-on experience with Salesforce reporting, Tableau, Power BI, or similar BI/reporting platforms
Experience working with adult learners and non-traditional student populations
Experience supporting cohort-based or community-driven educational programs
Familiarity with WGU’s data ecosystem a plus
Familiarity with WGU’s academic model, programs, or student success systems

Responsibilities

Collect, organize, and analyze program data — enrollment, student progression, engagement, retention, and outcomes — to surface trends, identify at-risk patterns, and inform program decisions
Build and maintain dashboards and reporting tools that give Engagement Specialists and program leadership clear, real-time visibility into student health and operational performance
Produce regular reports translating data into actionable recommendations for program leadership and the Engagement Specialist team
Support the design and administration of student feedback surveys — at Orientation exit, 90 days, and end of year — then synthesize results to inform program adjustments
Track engagement patterns over time and feed those insights back into how cohorts, campaigns, and community programming are designed
Manage the operational logistics of live cohort sessions, micro-webinars, and group events — calendars, invites, platform setup, recordings, and follow-up materials
Source and coordinate external speakers, facilitators, and vendors for cohort programming
Own the cohort-level calendar across the Career Accelerator program, partnering with Engagement Specialists to ensure the right experiences are scheduled at the right time
Manage the systems and access side of student onboarding — distribution lists, platform access, technical setup — so students arrive at Orientation ready to begin
Troubleshoot technical and access issues related to cohort systems, escalating to IT and data partners as needed
Serve as the operational point of contact between the Career Accelerator program and internal university departments — academic advising, financial aid, registrar, schools, and IT
Communicate program updates, policy changes, and performance data to internal stakeholders in a timely, organized manner
Represent the program in cross-departmental meetings, working groups, and institutional planning sessions as needed
Coordinate the program transfer process for students moving from their enrollment-selected program into the Career Accelerator
Manage the operational logistics of the formal program decision process at the end of the first year — communications, deadlines, documentation, and scheduled touchpoints
Maintain accurate, up-to-date records for all students approaching key program milestones, ensuring compliance with institutional requirements
Coordinate exit and transition processes for students who conclude or move out of the program, capturing feedback for continuous improvement