Data Analytics & Reporting Lead

Data Analytics & Reporting Lead
Remote | Must be located in the United States - CST working hours

PURPOSE:
The Data Analytics & Reporting Lead is Ascend Technologies’ central owner of data and analytics. This person does not just build reports. They establish how data is understood, trusted, and acted upon across the organization, starting with a deep understanding of how Ascend operates and delivers. Working across all teams and source systems, they connect raw operational data to strategic outcomes through dashboards, models, and predictive tools that drive real decisions.

Over time, the role grows into a thought-leadership function: a cross-functional partner who gives every team the data clarity it needs to operate at its best.

THE ENVIRONMENT:
Ascend uses a modern, cloud-based data and analytics environment incorporating technologies such as PostgreSQL, Azure, and Python to support business intelligence, data integration, automation, and AI-enabled solutions. The environment emphasizes security, governance, and scalability. You will work alongside our Data & AI Architect and our engineering partners, and you will be a key voice in what gets built.

Tools you’ll use:
PostgreSQL, dbt, Prefect, Git Hub, Power BI (DAX, Power Query), Claude / Claude Code, Salesforce, Service Now, Sage Intacct, Paylocity.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with source systems (Salesforce, Service Now, Paylocity, Sage Intacct) via SQL and APIs to extract, normalize, and shape data, defining what lives in the central infrastructure and maintaining a trusted foundation: consistent definitions, documented transformation logic, and proactive resolution of data quality issues.
• Design and build executive-ready dashboards and reports in Power BI and custom Claude-built dashboards, for internal leadership and select client-facing use, translating complex data into clear visual narratives for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Partner with the Data & AI Architect on predictive models and forecasting tools that surface actionable insights, and report on Claude and AI usage to help teams use Claude with governed data.
• Partner with leadership and cross-functional teams to surface reporting needs, define metrics, and turn business requirements into scalable data models and dashboard specs, mapping workflows to find where analytics can drive better outcomes.
• Own the business-facing data dictionary and certified metrics, participate in the Data Governance Committee, and serve as the primary analytical requirements input to the central data infrastructure.
• Eliminate manual, redundant reporting by building toward automation and self-service analytics, and act as a thought leader who brings new tools and ideas as the analytics function matures.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by management

MINIMUM SKILLS,

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience:
  
  At least 3-5+ years in a business intelligence, data analyst, data architect, or similar role with a proven track record of building and delivering dashboards and reports.
• SQL Proficiency:
  Strong ability to write, optimize, and troubleshoot complex SQL queries across relational databases.
• BI Visualization:
  Hands-on experience with at least one major BI platform (Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent).
• Data Normalization:
  Demonstrated ability to work with messy, multi-source data and produce clean, consistent analytical outputs.
• Self-Direction:
  Able to manage workload independently, prioritize competing requests, and iterate toward high-quality outputs without close oversight.

PREFERRED SKILLS OR EXPERIENCE

• Source Systems:
  Familiarity with Salesforce, Service Now, Paylocity, or Sage Intacct data models.
• Analytics Engineering, AI & Predictive:
  Experience with dbt, Python, Claude or other AI tools, or forecasting and…