Title:                   Senior Data Strategist

Division:             Data, Research and Technology

Department:     Research            

Reports to:        Senior Director, Research

Status:                Full-time, exempt

Level:                  Senior Specialist/Manager

Direct Reports: N/A

POSITION PURPOSE

The Senior Data Strategist works as part of CASE’s data and analytics team, supporting AMAtlas – CASE’s global resource for educational advancement-related metrics, benchmarks, and analytics. The Senior Data Strategist will conduct data analysis, develop data visualizations, and create summaries of survey research findings that provide actionable insights for CASE members, volunteers, and other stakeholders engaged in research initiatives. The Senior Research Strategist will evaluate and advise on best practices regarding data collection, data cleaning, analysis, and reporting to create efficiencies and enhance CASE member value.  The Senior Data Strategist will work collaboratively on research initiatives with colleagues in CASE’s global offices in Washington D.C., London, Mexico City, and Singapore. Some conference travel required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The core functions of this position include but are not limited to the following:

Program/Project Management

• Collect, analyze, and report on quantitative and qualitative data for CASE research studies and benchmarking surveys.
• Administer CASE surveys, including providing access, ensuring data integrity, and answering member questions.
• Identify appropriate methodologies and study design for future CASE research.
• Extract data from disparate sources (including CASE’s and third-party’s data sets), and inspect, clean, model, and perform statistical analysis on the data.
• Assemble and design tables, charts, visualizations/dashboards, and infographics for consumption by CASE staff, volunteers, members, and other audiences.
• Incorporate CASE global reporting standards into surveys, analysis, and research to facilitate global data analysis, benchmarking, and analytics.
• Evaluate existing research and make recommendations for continued improvement of data and reports with a focus on developing clear, insightful content across research initiatives.
• Help prepare presentations and draft text for reports and whitepapers that synthesize research findings.
• Collaborate on survey design and measurement strategies.
• Program and administer surveys using various survey instruments and research applications.
• Provide support to CASE members participating in surveys and with other inquires related to AMAtlas products/services.

Fiscal Management/Budget Responsibilities/Judicious Use of Resources

• Exercise fiscal responsibility in the use of all CASE resources.

Liaison Responsibilities  

• Works cooperatively and diplomatically with all divisions and regions.
• Liaises with CASE colleagues in other parts of the world to ensure the best sharing of ideas, expertise and knowledge.
• Incorporates tasks and/or projects related to objectives as directed by the CASE Strategic Plan.
• Work cooperatively and supportively with all volunteers with whom this role interacts, including CASE’s volunteer leadership.
• Work closely with other members of the CASE research team to analyze existing data, seek opportunities for new data acquisition, and develop insights and reports of value for members.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in CASE’s London, Mexico City, and Singapore office on global research initiatives.

Image Responsibilities

• In keeping with the CASE Values Statement, ensures that CASE is well represented by exercising a high degree of professionalism, accuracy, and ethics, in all activities, services, and products.

Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor. 

Job Complexity and Knowledge 

The Senior Data Strategist receives broad direction from Senior Director, Research, and is otherwise expected to work with a high level of autonomy and independence, discretion, confidentiality and diplomacy. The position interacts with CASE staff from across the world, and may come into contact with senior volunteers, members and other high level external key stakeholders. The Senior Data Strategist will be responsible for his/her own time management and prioritization of tasks to ensure the key responsibilities are met.

Problem Solving and Judgement

High level judgement and problem-solving skills are required, as the incumbent is frequently faced with situations which require immediate action in response to issues and requests. The breadth and depth of  understanding  of  an  issue  and  the  key  internal/external  persons handling the issue, and the way in which the issue is handled, all affect the outcome of the situation.

Professional and Organizational Knowledge

• The position requires that the incumbent quickly develop a deep understanding of CASE, its policies and procedures and an understanding of the culture and regional and divisional interdependencies.
• The position requires a deep understanding and respect for the organization’s systems and workflow.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in statistics, data science, computer science, information technology, social science, economics, business administration, or related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• Three or more years’ research or data analyst and/or business analyst roles, including development of data analytics and visualizations and reporting/benchmarking tools. Skills to include univariate and multi-variate statistics, data cleaning/management, visualization/dashboard creation, report automation, and scoring modeling.
• Experience with administration of online surveys and report writing of findings.
• Experience working with higher education institutions broadly, other non-profits, associations, or with a consultant or other vendor serving the advancement community preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to assess and summarize complex information for a variety of audiences.
• Proficiency with one or more of the following:
• Primarily: R, PowerBI, Excel (in particular for data analysis/modeling purposes)
• Secondarily: SQL, SPSS, SAS, Tableau, OracleBI, IBM Cognos, Google Analytics

• Must have strong technical proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Project management, accountability, time management, and continuous improvement skills.
• Proven ability to develop work plans and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, according to budget, deadlines, and the demands of collaboration.
• Proven ability to work independently and as a team player in a rapid-response research environment participating in idea formulation, research scoping, project planning, research design, problem solving, process improvement, and member support.
• Experience in administration of online surveys, data cleaning and analysis, and reporting.
• Strong written communication, interpersonal and member service skills.
• A strong commitment to contributing to an organizational culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
• A demonstrated interest in advancing education in the not-for-profit sector. 
• An understanding and interest in engaging with a broad range of cultures and countries. 
• A pro-active and can-do attitude, even when working under pressure and with all levels of staff. Experience in an international environment desired.
• Education-related experience a plus.
• Must have a strong customer service orientation.

CASE Vaccination Policy: Vaccination against COVID-19 is an important tool in helping to prevent infection and reduce hospitalisation and mortality. CASE vaccination policy is as follows for each regions:

US/CAN and Latin America offices: To access a CASE office, you must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an approved exception to this requirement as an employee with an approved medical or religious exemption (U.S.) or be subject to testing or other national/local restrictions in effect where the CASE office is located.

Europe and Asia Pacific Offices: CASE strongly encourages staff to obtain the most current COVID-19 vaccine and booster as soon as it is available to them unless they are ineligible to receive the vaccine due to medical reasons.

Alternative Work Arrangement:  As of January 1, CASE implemented an Alternative Work Arrangement policy where, after 4 weeks of employment, eligible staff are given the opportunity to work from home up to 2 days per week and in office 3 to 4 days per week.

Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time. This document represents a description of intended job content, and should not be construed in any way to be a contract of employment.