Data Solutions Analyst

Job Description

Position Summary:
The Data Solutions Analyst will serve as part of the Office of Data & Strategic Analytics (DSA) at Vanderbilt University working to address the data needs of Vanderbilt University's Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) department. The Data Solutions Analyst will collaborate with Development and Alumni Relations to answer key strategic questions, such as:
- How should Development and Alumni Relations focus its resources to maximize fundraiser effectiveness?
- How can Development and Alumni Relations better utilize internal and external data sources to better identify prospects for fundraising initiatives?
- How can Development and Alumni Relations improve alumni engagement, and how can we reliably measure and score that engagement?

The Data Solutions Analyst will be responsible for thinking critically and creatively to tell stories with data and deliver actionable insights to maximize performance of the Vanderbilt University's development and alumni engagement efforts. The Data Solutions Analyst will be integral to building out a data driven culture within the Development Office and ensuring the future success of the department. This position will report to the Director of Data Analytics for Development & Alumni Relations.

The Data Solutions Analyst will be responsible for assisting the Director of Data Analytics in connecting and utilizing university data sources to identify new opportunities for donor engagement as well as developing tools to both improve effectiveness and measure success of development and alumni engagement efforts. They will work with internal stakeholders to develop strategies to optimize programs and investments that drive donor and alumni engagement. The position will serve a crucial role in certifying that appropriate connections are established for DAR-related efforts that will result in positive university-wide impact.

Applicants should be highly proficient in utilizing Business Intelligence (BI) tools and knowledgeable of university data; performing assigned activities such as defining data requirements, designing data models, building dashboards, developing BI reports, performing ad-hoc analysis, and writing SQL code to assist consumers in achieving operational and strategic goals. This position may also employ predictive modeling and analytics techniques to aid decision making in areas of strategic interest to the university administration.

About the Work Unit:
Vanderbilt University is a dynamic institution, pushing new ideas into the frontiers of discovery, challenging the limits of what is possible and working diligently in the service of others. To help make this possible, the Chief Data Officer and DSA are based in the Chancellor's Office and work collaboratively with decision-makers and stakeholders across the university, supporting the strategic use of data. DSA comprises four teams: Academic Partnering, Administrative Partnering, Institutional Research and Assessment, and Data Governance, Solutions, and Consulting. DSA also works closely with data leaders in other parts of the university as well as with Information Technology teams.

The Data Solutions Analyst is part of the Administrative Partnering team and will work exclusively with the university's Development & Alumni Relations team.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Business Intelligence Tools: Uses BI tools such as Tableau, and SQL (Oracle and Snowflake) to provide complex reporting solutions to meet consumer data needs.
Develop new analytics solutions; support and maintain existing solutions
Perform testing and evaluation of new BI analysis and reporting solutions, tool upgrades, enhancements and change requests
Identify existing solutions or design new solutions that satisfy information requests
Develop and maintain database tables for use in reporting
Recommend standardized practices in developing data solutions
Explore new techniques and technologies in BI to generate new ideas and insightful analytics
Support other team members through organized training and on-going knowledge transfer

Data Analysis:
Analyze complex, broad data sets to develop actionable insights that can inform DAR strategy and drive development and alumni engagement efforts
Gather and clarify requirements to ensure that analytical outputs meet the needs of stakeholders
Develop new predictive models, using data from multiple sources, to better refine donor capacity and affinity while identifying new opportunities for donor engagement and increasing the effectiveness of fundraising teams
Understand and prepare raw data, apply data models using statistical methods and algorithms, and then extract and communicate useful results in easily digestible formats
Identify opportunities to introduce and synthesize data sets from internal and external sources in an effort to answer complex organizational questions
Ensure a high quality of accuracy in data reported

Data Governance: Utilize Data Governance principles to ensure ongoing compliance with internal policies and guarantee data is used in a consistent way.
Document data sources and flow to guide reporting accuracy.
Maintain a glossary of business terms and concepts to aid the understanding of data.
Implement reporting standards for visual consistency.

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Data Analytics for Development & Alumni Relations within the Office of Data & Strategic Analytics (DSA).

Education and Certifications:

Bachelor's degree in computer science, business analytics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience is required.

Experience and Skills:
Data visualization and reporting tools experience (Tableau or similar) is required.
Relational database and SQL skills (Oracle and Snowflake) is required.
CRM experience with tools such as Salesforce or Raiser's Edge is preferred.
Ability to manipulate, transform, or merge datasets using tools such as Excel, R, or python is required.
Experience in information technology or business intelligence related functions is required.
Experience working with large relational databases is required.
Higher education experience is preferred.
Experience managing time-sensitive and/or complex projects with limited supervision is required.

Key Characteristics for this Position:

Detail-Oriented - Attention to detail, thoroughness, quality assurance, and handling mistakes appropriately all underpin the trust of Vanderbilt in the work of DSA.
Respects Confidentiality - Demonstrates a strong ethical compass, recognizing the sensitivity and potential power of data, information, and outcomes, respecting the privacy and dignity of personal data. This approach underpins the trust the university places in us as data stewards.
Teamwork - Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers, makes them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well; doesn't expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves, finds ways to acknowledge other's strong suits
Communicates proactively. Uses sound judgment to identify what needs to be communicated with teammates, local leaders, and senior institutional leadership, in order to support Vanderbilt's mission. Not seeking to control information for personal or local advantage.
Raises the Bar - Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better -- places a high value on learning and getting better.
Creative Thinking - Goes beyond the boundaries of the job description, willingly takes on new challenges, and finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting direct instructions.
Civil Discourse- The courage to challenge and be challenged by others with divergent points of view, substantiated by evidence and objective analysis.
Thoughtful Listening - To understand the needs of partners and stakeholders, asks relevant, clarifying, and probing questions and generates trust through this process.
Problem-Solving and Learning - Creative, proactive problem solver; welcomes input and places a high value on learning and continual improvement and professional development; willing to learn new technologies and tools.
Interpersonal Adaptability - Reads cues and adapts accordingly; adjusts style and approach to accommodate the styles and needs of others; can anticipate and effectively de-escalate potential conflicts.
Support Higher Education - Supports the overall value of higher education and understands the distinctive values of a research-intensive, highly-selective private institution such as Vanderbilt.
Self-Disciplined - Self-managing; self-motivated; manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track; is accountable for own work.
Self-Aware - Self-reflective and recognizes one's own biases and is sensitive to the perceptions of others. Understands own strengths and weaknesses and able to receive constructive feedback and initiate strategies to compensate and adapt. Recognizes the specific role of a member of staff within a faculty-led environment

About Us

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.