Lead IAR Data Analyst

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade:
Professional 312

Pay Range: $ - $Job Description The Lead IAR Data Analyst is a senior-level individual contributor responsible for transforming complex data into actionable insights that inform strategy, improve outcomes, and support decision-making across the university. Working closely with stakeholders across Institutional Analytics & Research (IAR), Data Engineering, Product Management, Finance, EdTech, Enrollment, and Faculty teams, this role leads high-impact analytics initiatives, answers complex business questions, and delivers compelling data-driven recommendations.

The ideal candidate combines advanced technical expertise with exceptional storytelling skills, translating data into meaningful insights tailored to audiences ranging from managers to senior executives.

This role requires a highly autonomous analyst who can independently drive projects, influence organizational decisions, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders. In addition to deep expertise in analytics, visualization, and data modeling, the Lead IAR Data Analyst is expected to mentor peers, contribute to analytics best practices, and elevate team capabilities through knowledge sharing and thought leadership. While this is not a people leadership position, it carries elevated expectations for strategic influence, stakeholder partnership, and leadership through expertise.

The Lead IAR Data Analyst is a senior-level individual contributor responsible for transforming complex data into rigorous, actionable insights that drive decision-making across the university. This role partners closely with leaders and stakeholders across Institutional Analytics & Research (IAR), Data Engineering, Product Management, Finance, EdTech, Enrollment, and Faculty teams to answer critical business questions, deliver meaningful research, and influence strategic direction through data storytelling.

The ideal candidate brings deep analytical expertise, operates with a high degree of autonomy, and serves as a trusted advisor to stakeholders across the organization. Success in this role requires the ability to move beyond reporting data to generating insights, influencing decisions, and helping others elevate their analytical capabilities.

What You'll DoLead complex analytics and research initiatives by documenting business needs, translating user stories into technical requirements, and delivering solutions with a student and equity-centered lens.

Answer complex business questions through…