Another Source’s client, Washington State University, is recruiting a Data and Strategy Associate to join their team. This position can work a hybrid schedule on any of the WSU campuses in Washington State (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Everett, Vancouver).
Washington State University (WSU) offers a dynamic and inclusive community where you can thrive both personally and professionally. As a WSU employee, you will have access to world-class facilities, cutting-edge technology, and a supportive network of colleagues and mentors dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. WSU provides numerous opportunities for growth and advancement in a vibrant and welcoming environment.
The Office of Strategy, Planning, and Analysis (OSPA) brings clarity and focus to strategy and planning at WSU. There are several ways in which we support the WSU System:
System strategic planning
Accuracy and accountability of data
Data-informed decision-making
Alignment in system planning
Anticipated hiring range: $80,000-$90,000
About the role:
In this role, you will play a vital part in discovering patterns, extracting actionable insights, and transforming raw information into knowledge that will shape WSU’s future direction. As an integral member of our team, you will actively engage with faculty, staff, and administrators, serving as a key influencer in guiding decisions, shaping strategies, and driving positive change.
Analysis and Strategy Development, Essential (40%)
Collaborates with institutional decision makers (such as unit leaders, administrators, Board of Regents), stakeholders, and external state officials to assess and understand data and information needs.
Articulates pros and cons of different scenarios and explains assumptions used and any limitations of the data. Offers expert advice and makes recommendations to help leaders and others make informed decisions to help drive WSU’s strategic direction and achievement of overall goals and objectives.
Conducts and oversees research and/or high-level analytic activities to support institutional and unit-level information needs.
Assists in the development of Key Performance Indicators and helps to determine the most critical data points that will drive decision-making at WSU.
Compiles data and information, analyzes and synthesizes data, identifies trends and potential risks and opportunities, develops study methods and assumptions, and writes up and/or presents the results to leadership or policy makers, including through data visualizations, statistical or machine learning models, static reports, and documents, or presentations. May include providing response to comply with federal and state higher education reporting requirements and other external requests for institutional data.
Data Management and Governance, Policy Development, Essential (25%)
Advocates for, assists with, and makes recommendations about appropriate data governance and data model decisions and policies to improve the usefulness and trustworthiness of institutional data.
Advises policy makers on the actual or potential impact of procedures and policies, and how policies or policy changes would support institutional effectiveness and mitigate institutional liabilities.
Alerts the Data Governance and Analytics Council to data challenges where data governance needs to be improved or addressed. Works with the Council to mitigate impacts and offer solutions through active participation on work groups and task forces, when necessary.
Assists in the creation of strategic plans for data management and governance.
Assists in the creation of training materials and resources to improve data literacy and data accessibility at the institution. Works with other departments to ensure that data management practices are integrated across the organization.
Committee Assignments, Essential (10%)
Collaborates with multiple units, including Information Technology Services, the Data and Analytics Governance Council, and functional areas to influence and shape technology decisions based upon WSU system priorities and the Data Management Program, Research, Professional Development,
Environmental Scanning, Essential (10%)
Stays current on literature in relevant fields, including data management, analytics, statistics, machine learning/AI, data governance, and education policy and trends relevant for the position.
Attends trainings, workshops, and/or conferences as mutually determined with unit leadership to advance individual and institutional goals and objectives.
Project Management, Essential (10%)
Assumes responsibility for project management and retention of analyses and reports used in system, campus, college and unit level assessment, accreditation, reporting, planning, and strategic decision making.
May require supervising other staff or graduate assistants or direct and coordinate others’ efforts on projects.
Required qualifications:
Positions require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field AND five (5) years of progressively responsible experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Demonstrated experience with the following:
Collecting, analyzing, and/or synthesizing data for actionable insights.
Creating, developing, maintaining, and/or using institutional data systems and relational databases or information management systems.
Data management and visualization techniques, and/or statistical analysis and predictive modeling.
Preferred qualifications:
A master’s or doctoral degree.
Working knowledge of statistical, query based, or data management software (e.g. SQL, SAS, R, Python, Tableau, Oracle OAC).
Experience in planning, organizing, and managing large complex research projects, including managing multiple projects simultaneously and adhering to deadlines.
Experience working within an Institutional Research, Institutional Effectiveness, or another analytical unit in higher education.
Demonstrated interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.