Data Analyst: Tickle College of Engineering Research Office - UTK

Data Analyst

The Data Analyst quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes and interprets large datasets to discover and present actionable insights to Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) leadership, driving best strategies for pursuing college goals, enhancing student and faculty success, and improving college operations. With a primary focus on Academic and Student Affairs, this position offers original, data-driven insights to college leadership on topics such as improving student retention and graduation, enhancing student and faculty diversity, using scholarship funds to boost student recruitment and retention, and understanding faculty performance.

The Data Analyst designs and generates value-add reports and dashboards to inform strategic planning, financial planning, and resource allocation, and communicates key performance measures to internal and external stakeholders through dynamic, easily understood visuals. This role builds relationships with UTK organizations outside the college to create seamless data flows and collaborates university-wide on data presentation standards for academic-related topics.

This position is key for TCE with respect to: (1) determining optimal use of organizational data and providing analyses and insights to support the design and implementation of strategic initiatives that enhance performance across all mission areas and elevate national reputation; (2) creating analytical tools using modern programming languages and statistical software; and (3) continuing to improve and automate existing processes and reports.

The Data Analyst must be a subject matter expert with a variety of software for data aggregation, retrieval, analysis, and presentation, and must understand the workflow, responsibilities, and expectations of departments and the college in the context of TCE's teaching, research, and service missions.

• Analyze, interpret, and communicate departmental performance related to undergraduate and graduate students, including recruitment/matriculation, participation in high-impact practices, success in grades and graduation, and job or graduate school placement post-graduation — undertaken in the context of TCE priorities, resource availability, and the expectations of students, alumni, and state legislators. (30%)
• Provide original, data-driven insights to TCE leadership on improving student recruitment, enhancing retention, increasing 4–6 year graduation rates, enhancing student diversity, and strategically using scholarship funds; create direct access to "clean datasets" and graphical user interfaces (dashboards, visualizations using Power BI) for TCE faculty and staff use. (25%)
• Engage with personnel across numerous campus offices (e.g., OIRA, OIT) to exchange information and resolve issues related to data integrity and reporting; test and provide feedback on reports and dashboards published on data.utk.edu. Aggregate, clean, and verify data required for ABET accreditation. (20%)
• Generate ad hoc analysis and dynamic visuals enabling the Dean to demonstrate to University administration, the TCE Board of Advisors, and other stakeholders how resources are being leveraged to drive TCE's progress toward the Top 25, including original analyses and perspectives identifying challenges and opportunities for TCE. (20%)
• Participate in professional associations and conferences that benefit the processes for collection, management, analysis, and communication of data for TCE. (5%)

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  Bachelor's degree in education evaluation, statistics, economics, science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • 4 years of experience using quantitative methods to characterize data populations;
  • 4 years of experience using software for data aggregation, analysis, and presentation (e.g., programming, databases, spreadsheets, statistical analysis, graphical presentation, and reporting via word-processing/presentation programs);
  • Demonstrated commitment to cooperative teamwork;
  • Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills to deal effectively with superiors, colleagues, and personnel who provide data or expect analysis…