Sr Associate Director - Analytics

About the Opportunity

Job Summary:
The Senior Associate Director for Analytics plays a critical role within University Decision Support (UDS) by providing expertise, leadership, and support for analytics across Northeastern.  The Senior Associate Director will be responsible for identifying, creating, and executing analytics projects. They will assist in the development of analytic capacity and facilitate the increased use of timely, actionable data across Northeastern, using a variety of statistical models, data visualizations, and analytical tools.  The Senior Associate Director will help visualize key strategic metrics, goals, and predictive analytics to improve the financial condition of the university, advance student learning, support the global network, and increase research.  The Senior Associate Director will combine large quantities of data to perform trend analysis, predictive analytics, and data mining to provide actionable insights that inform strategic and tactical decisions and lead to improved results.

The Senior Associate Director will also collaborate with and leverage the work of the UDS team.  In particular, he or she will work with UDS team members to gather needed data, promote the use and interpretation of accurate information, and document methodologies.

Qualifications:
Master’s degree in statistics, operations research, mathematics, computer science, psychology, economics, education, sociology, or other statistical analysis and quantitative research discipline

• 5-10 years of applicable work experience in analytics, data science, business intelligence, institutional research, or related fields, preferably in higher education

• Experience developing innovations in data science, analytics, research, and associated methodologies and technologies

• Ability to think strategically about Northeastern’s academic plan, goals, issues and programs to be able to support these topics through clear and concise communication

• Ability to translate complex analytical findings into clear recommendations through data visualization and storytelling

• Excellent analytical skills with demonstrated ability to solve problems

• Experience with BI tools  (e.g., Cognos, Argos, Tableau, Excel)

• Experience in statistical modeling, machine learning, data analysis, and reporting

• Proficiency in Python or R

• Ability to plan, execute and control a project, establishing realistic estimates and reporting timelines

• Advanced knowledge of relational databases and experience designing, maintaining and reporting from large databases and multiple tables, preferably Snowflake. Ability to query enterprise databases by programming complex queries using SQL.

• Advanced knowledge to perform statistical tests and create models (T-tests, ANOVA, regression models)

• Ability to visualize data into interactive tables and charts, preferably using Tableau

• Commitment to improving data quality and documentation

Key Responsibilities:
Data visualization and analysis (40%)

Visualize data, create metrics, and develop analytical models (predictive and prescriptive) to advance the university’s goals

Combine large quantities of data to perform trend analysis, predictive analytics, and data mining to provide actionable insights that inform strategic and tactical decisions and lead to improved results

Support Northeastern’s D&A program (20%)

Support the design and implementation of the university’s analytics platform and data governance policies that will enable insights and data-driven decisions. 

Coordinate and communicate with others throughout Northeastern to accomplish shared goals, educate new analytics users, and achieve cultural change.

Support ad hoc and ongoing requests for analysis (30%)

Report on ad hoc requests for data (particularly those with an analytical element), provide data for management, assessment, accreditation, and other decision support needs. As needed, productionalize ad hoc analysis into repeatable, ongoing artifacts.

Develop analytics expertise and resources (10%)

Learn and support analytical tools such as Cognos Analytics, SPSS, Tableau, Snowflake, or other helpful software in the context of analytics at Northeastern. Serve as an expert r