Data Analyst

Department: IT AS Data Mgmt/Analytic
Salary/Grade: ITS/79

In this role, you will partner with our business users to understand their data analysis & sourcing needs, work closely with the DMA development team to design and build enterprise data solutions and work on exciting, data-centric projects.

An ideal candidate for this position will have systems/business analyst skills and be proficient in technical skills. Our data analyst team captures and documents business requirements, builds technical requirements, validates code, manages user acceptance testing, creates end-user documentation, and manages projects. They also dive deep into source systems, query source databases and data warehouse tables with SQL, and utilize self-service tools in IBM Cognos or Tableau.

This is a superb opportunity to get industry experience and work with a multitude of Northwestern schools and departments. The DMA team is curious and comfortable with innovation and change to transform education for the better. You'll work in a lively, collaborative atmosphere with a dynamic team that has a diverse range of interests and skills. We work in a hybrid environment with two days on the Evanston campus each week to build strong working relationships.

Job Summary:

Performs tasks related to the design, implementation, support/maintenance, and enhancement of NU's enterprise, vendor and in-house developed applications. Documents functional requirements, analyzes requirements in the context of software and processes, develops and executes test plans, assists with and documents business process improvement efforts, and works with production issues. Completes content, process, and procedures for technical and functional system work that is low to medium in complexity. Typically works with senior staff, but may coordinate smaller or less complex projects independently.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Partners with senior analysts, end users and peers to document and analyze functional requirements, identify gaps and alternative approaches to meet requirements, and ensure all deliverables completed (adhering to approved methodology and documentation standards).
• Partners with functional users and technical and reporting staff to determine best approaches, ensuring that approved solutions are implemented in a timely and correct fashion.

Administration

• Drafts accurate documentation of process, procedure, and system/application configuration.
• Formulates and executes test scripts, implementation project plans, roll out communications and training materials.
• Outlines medium complexity use cases.

Development

• Formulates test scripts and performs detailed testing for moderate to complex use cases to ensure that the implemented software functions correctly.
• Participates in and may facilitate iterative feedback processes among users, developers, and analysts to ensure software functionality aligns with requirements. Draws on prior implementation experience to engage in discussions.

Performance

• Assists in software evaluation and enters moderate to complex configurations to meet user needs.
• Collects feedback from users on application performance and escalates moderate to complex critical performance issues with technical resources and management.
• Collaborates with technical, reporting and application resources to analyze and resolve moderate to complex production issues in a timely manner. Provides input into possible solutions based on prior system knowledge and basic analytical skills.

Supervises

• May provide work direction and/or supervise staff such as subordinates, contractors, vendors, students, etc.
• May manage basic projects or work packets ensuring timelines, deliverables and expectations are met.

Miscellaneous

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2 years functional/business/system analysis or other relevant experience required.
• Please see information highlighted in tables below.
  • BI
  • Cognos BI
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook)
  • SQL/MySQL/Postgres
  • Critical thinking
  • Debugging
  • Decision making
  • Judgment
  • Metadata creation and management
  • Problem solving
  • Troubleshooting
  • Use-case analysis
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Facilitate collaboration
  • Functional documentation
  • Organizational skills
  • Planning
  • Workflow development & documentation
  • Write proposals and project charters

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to map business functions to technical functions and services within an enterprise-wide architecture
• Ability to research and interpret data
• Critical and analytical thinking - Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Demonstrated ability to present ideas, both orally and in written form, to people at all levels in the organization and to manage expectations related to project timelines, deliverables, and outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau, PowerBI, and Cognos Analytics
• Experience writing and interpreting SQL queries
• Knowledge of data management practices and experience building data literacy

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Demonstrated ability resolving data quality issues.
• Agile environment, iterative & incremental development, Scrum project framework

Target hiring amount for this position will be $80,500 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.