Institutional Research Data Analyst

Unit: Office of the Provost

Department: Institutional Research & Decision Support

The Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support (IRDS) invites candidates to apply to the role of Institutional Research Data Analyst.  IRDS serves VCU by providing pertinent statistical analysis, institutional research, and data support to progress the university's strategic plan. IRDS supports the Office of the Provost and the broader VCU community by providing access to accurate, centralized data about the university and its peer institutions.

Please note: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S., as we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Notice to Applicants: Previous applicants for this position need not reapply

Position Overview:

The responsibility of the Data Analyst will be to support strategic/compliance reporting, support different data platforms, and institutional data needs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).  This is a University & Academic Professional appointment reporting to the Director of Institutional Research in the office of Institutional Research and Decision Support (IRDS). The person in this position will:

• Regularly perform data extraction, manipulation, analysis, and interpretation of findings/results to prepare institutional responses to external and internal inquiries ("ad hoc" requests) on a wide range of subjects - e.g.student admissions and enrollment information, student persistence and success (retention and graduation), student financial aid need analysis, personnel planning including recruitment retention as well as attrition, compensation studies.
• Respond to federal and state reporting and to guidebook surveys, national rankings and national studies by preparing accurate and timely reports and/or data files.
• Provide institutional research data to academic units and programs as well as administrative constituencies throughout the institution.
• Collaborate on projects within IRDS along with other stakeholders at VCU.
• Provide support with survey design, analysis, and presentations.
• Create data visualizations/dashboards using platforms such as tableau.
• Seek and participate in continuing learning opportunities, including topics such as SAS programming, data subject domain knowledge and understanding, expanding data topics, and University-level initiatives and information delivery efforts.
• Provide support for different external platforms such as Academic Analytics, Explorance Blue, and any new platforms that the IRDS office supports for the University.
• Become an expert in the course evaluation platform Explorance Blue to include training Analysts on the IR team so that it is collaboratively supported and other stakeholders. The person in this role will become the expert of Explorance Blue platform but not the sole support person.
• Create documentation for the processes related to platforms and statutory reporting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required with a major in statistics, mathematics, economics, sociology, computer science, or other quantitative social sciences discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  2-3 years experience working in higher education, preferably in an Institutional Research Office.
• Experience in extracting, analyzing, and interpreting data from a variety of sources (information systems).
• Ability to draw conclusions and communicate data findings, applying statistical principles and methods to meet a range of information requirements; gathering and analyzing data and generating statistical reports.
• Experience (2-3 years) with statistical software tools/packages such as SAS (preferred), SPSS, R etc. to produce high quality analysis.
• Demonstrated computer skills including knowledge and familiarity with spreadsheets, programming languages, relational databases and SQL. Extensive survey design and ability to analyze the results to help support research questions and presentations.
• Familiarity with higher education data domains (e.g. admissions, enrollment, financial aid, employee, finance, development, sponsored research) in a university setting.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in written form
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to take initiative when working independently and yet work effectively in a team environment with people who have a diverse array of experiences and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands on experience with data visualization and business intelligence tools such as Tableau, Power BI, SASVA
• Ellucian/Banner experience
• Experience working with a course evaluation platform. 

The Office of the Provost is committed to the growth and professional development of the IRDS team and will provide opportunities to foster a culture of learning and career development during your tenure in the unit.

Salary Range: Up to $70,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid - Enjoy the flexibility and balance of in-person and remote work.  Candidates should be based within commuting distance of Richmond, Virgina, as on-site presence will be required at the manager's discretion in order to address key project milestones

University Job Title: Project Analyst GA 1-3