Research Analyst

Collects, analyzes, and reports data across academic and administrative areas. Develops and delivers regular and ad hoc reports to meet external reporting requirements and internal data needs. Designs interactive dashboards to support institutional planning, decision-making, and process improvement. Examples of Duties Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Prepares, validates, and submits required institutional reports, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Ohio Higher Education Information (HEI) reports, Student Right-to-Know reporting, the Common Data Set (CDS), and other federal, state, and institutional reporting requirements.

Designs, develops, and maintains interactive dashboards and reports in Power BI to support data-informed decision-making for internal and external stakeholders. Utilizes advanced SQL skills, including PL/SQL and Oracle, to query large datasets, join relational tables, develop efficient queries, and extract meaningful insights for reporting and analysis. Builds and maintains workflow automation solutions to streamline repetitive tasks such as ETL processes, report generation, and dashboard updates.

Establishes data governance and collection methodologies; validates, cleans, and integrates data from multiple sources to ensure accuracy, consistency, and security. Supports continuous quality improvement initiatives for reporting, analytics, and data integrity. Develops, implements, maintains, and executes routine standardized and ad hoc reports and common data sets. Interprets data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities that impact academic planning, program performance, and enrollment strategies.

Provides actionable insights that inform decision-making related to program viability, student success, faculty workload, and resource allocation. Collaborates with department to implement data governance best practices. Documents data procedures, reporting protocols, and process standards to ensure consistency and transparency. Other Functions and Responsibilities: Assists with training new hires. Performs other duties as assigned and/or required that are within the level of responsibility for this classification at the discretion of the supervisor.

Equipment Operated: Computer and all other standard office equipment. Work Schedule: Typically, Monday through Friday. Supervision Exercised: May exercise supervision over student employees. Reports to: Director of Institutional Research, Institutional Research and Analytics Qualifications Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures: None Sponsorship and/or Work Authorization Status: This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: University policies and procedures*; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives*; department/division policies and procedures*; workplace safety practices and procedures*; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management. Skill in: Exhibiting a strong attention to detail and commitment to data integrity; use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department/division*.

Ability to: Display strong data illustration and explanation capabilities for both internal and externally derived data; effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously; explain capabilities for both internal and externally derived data; work effectively within the data enterprise systems and beyond; ability to work within an organizational structure requiring strong collaboration within an office and with others; collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; maintain records according to established procedures; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one tasks to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships.

(*) Developed after employment. Minimum Qualifications: At least a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as data analytics, data science, statistics, math, or computer science; at least two years of experience in data analysis, reporting, and/or another related field ; demonstrated experience in Power BI or another similar business intelligence tool; experience using Ellucian Banner or another similar ERP system; demonstrated proficiency in SQL for data extraction, analysis, and reporting; and e xperience working in a higher education environment.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in a related field. Experience with state and federal higher education reporting requirements, including IPEDS, HEI, Common Data Set (CDS), and similar reporting systems). Experience working in institutional research, or enrollment management. Strong knowledge of data analysis and business intelligence (BI) tools, including Microsoft Excel and Power BI. Familiarity with predictive analytics and statistical modeling techniques for enrollment and retention forecasting.

Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and communicate actionable insights to diverse audiences. Physical Requirements: In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor physical demands strength ratings, this position will perform sedentary work. Sedentary: work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs may be defined as Sedentary when walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other Sedentary criteria are met.