Senior Advancement Data Analyst

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Senior Advancement Data Analyst

Job Profile Title

Data Analyst C

Job Description Summary

The Senior Advancement Data Analyst serves as a key analytical resource within the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) division, supporting the Senior and Assistant Vice Presidents in Advancement Services & Strategy and the Senior Director of Gift Management. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Prospect Development and Strategy, this position provides high-quality data analysis, validation, and reporting to inform leadership decisions, ensure the accuracy of fundraising and gift reporting, and maintain confidence in the integrity of advancement data.

This role emphasizes rigorous data quality assurance, leadership reporting, and analytical interpretation, helping DAR leadership answer critical operational and strategic questions related to fundraising performance, campaign progress, and institutional advancement trends.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Leadership and Management Reporting
  • Prepare and interpret recurring and ad hoc fundraising reports and analyses for the Senior and Assistant Vice Presidents of Advancement Services & Strategy, the Senior Director of Gift Management, and other University leaders.
  • Synthesize complex data into concise and meaningful reports to support decision-making, planning, and strategy development.
  • Ensure all reports related to fundraising totals, gifts, and commitments are accurate, timely, and aligned with institutional reporting standards.

• Quality Assurance and Data Integrity
  • Conduct comprehensive quality checks on all fundraising and gift reporting, with a focus on accuracy, consistency, and adherence to policy.
  • Partner closely with Gift Management  and DAR Analytics teams to identify discrepancies, verify data integrity, and document resolutions.
  • Develop and maintain audit protocols for the review of gift transactions and campaign reporting.

• Analytical Insight and Decision Support
  • Analyze trends in fundraising activity, gift composition, and donor behavior to answer leadership questions and assess performance against goals.
  • Provide data-backed insights to inform leadership discussions, planning meetings, and presentations to University executives and Trustees.
  • Support scenario analysis, forecasting, and modeling to assist in strategy development and resource planning.

• External and Institutional Reporting
  • Prepare data for the submission of external surveys and benchmarking studies (e.g., CAE/VSE, U.S. News & World Report, and other peer surveys).
  • Collaborate with Advancement Services leadership to validate data used in institutional reports, publications, and Board m