Strategic Analyst

Overview

Position Summary
The Strategic Analyst I works collaboratively within the Strategy and Research Department to support NBU’s internal operations and better serve the Community. This is an entry-level analytical role. The ideal candidate is a service-oriented professional who thinks critically through complex problems and communicates ideas and technical information clearly in written and spoken form. The disciplined candidate should also be broadly educated across academic and professional disciplines, bringing an adaptive, resilient, and intellectually honest mindset to every assignment.

The Strategy and Research Department leads key enterprise initiatives aligned with NBU’s Strategic Plan and Executive Leadership priorities. This Department partners with industry experts and thought leaders to anticipate and prepare for the future of utility services in New Braunfels, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. NBU’s strategic initiatives are developed internally or alongside public and private research institutions specializing in energy, water, and technology.

The Department’s primary functions are:
1) Advisory Services,
2) Innovation Program, and
3) Research and Development. Your areas of focus will include: a) Strategic Planning, b) Internal Consultancy, c) Process Improvement, d) Research Trends and Innovative Interests, e) Strategic Research and Intelligence, and f) Knowledge Management.

As a Strategic Analyst I, you will help shape the strategic trajectory and long-range planning of NBU operations under the direction of the Manager and senior department staff. You will execute assigned analytical tasks, build foundational research skills, and begin developing professional judgement to advance to Strategic Analyst II. Your work will contribute to continuous improvement of NBU’s services. Detailed documentation of methodologies, findings, and recommendations is expected to be of a professional standard.

Success in this role requires humility, integrity, accountability, effective communication and a commitment to teamwork.

ADVISORY SERVICES

Strategic Planning Process Support

• Serve as an analytical contributor to NBU’s annual and multi-year strategic planning cycles. Activities include research, data compilation, document management, and preparation of draft materials.
• Support NBU’s performance measurement infrastructure and escalate concerns or opportunities to leadership. Activities include quarterly progress tracking and variance analytics.
• Assist in preparation of Executive level materials with structure and accuracy. Materials include presentations, strategic planning deliverables, and internal strategic communication.
• Assist in the development of business cases, tracking documents, and stakeholder communication materials.

Internal Consultancy

• Serve as an internal analytical resource to NBU. You will conduct data gathering, literature reviews, comparative benchmarking, and draft preparation of deliverables.
• Cultivate partnerships with adjacent Departments to integrate cross-functional data and information in support of active advisory service projects.
• Build and maintain quantitative and qualitative models or spreadsheets using Departmental frameworks, focused on developing personal proficiency.
• Assist in the preparation of cost-benefit analyses, feasibility assessments, and internal advisory deliverables, developing the proficiency to independently perform at Strategic Analyst II.

Process Improvement

• Support process improvement engagements by conducting interviews, observing workflows, documenting processes, and preparing draft diagrams and narrative summaries for Department review.
• Contribute to the preparation of process improvement deliverables, including supervised gap analysis, comparative assessments, and draft recommendations. Develop structured problem-solving discipline.
• Document process improvement project records thoroughly and accurately, including methodologies, data sources, and findings.

INNOVATION PROGRAM

Research Trends and Innovative Interests

• Support the Department in maintaining the Innovation Program. Activities include…