Western Governors University
Research Analyst
Research 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.
**Qualified Internal applicants must apply by 1/04/2023 to be considered for this role**
About this role:
The Research Analyst will join a growing team to provide analytical and reporting leadership and support to a wide variety of WGU departments. They will design, conduct, and report results of ad hoc research and analytical studies supporting academic and administrative planning, policy formulation, and evaluation. They will also develop and maintain electronic data files supporting special analytical studies, compliance reports, and data exchanges. The incumbent will work with stakeholders across the WGU enterprise to engage in quantitative and qualitative research to create institutional (breadth) and executive (specific) reporting packages and channels for dissemination and review.
What you'll do...
Produce and distribute research findings to leadership on an ongoing basis, including data dashboards, research briefs, providing actionable insights.
Analyse the competitive landscape (including institutions, programs, credentials, cost, enrolment/market share, and positioning) for current and emerging competitors.
Execute on departmental level initiatives that serve the University through the standardization of team processes, collaborating with key departments (e.g., marketing, university development, finance, and college leadership).
Communicate iterative process changes to key stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to work with technical and non-technical colleagues explaining complex data, insights, and research issues in a professional manner.
Ability to attend to detail, manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Proficient analytical skill set and experience with creating, cleaning, and analyzing large data sets.
Experience in designing, organizing, and managing multiple complex projects simultaneously and with meeting deadlines.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skill and Abilities
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated proficiency in data analysis and tools (e.g., SQL, relational databases, Excel, Cognos, Tableau, PowerBI) along with demonstrated knowledge and skills with SAS, SPSS, Stata, or other recognized statistical software.
Proven ability to establish and manage collaborative relationships with team members, subject matter experts, and senior leaders with the highest degree of professionalism.
Ability to explain the significance of data and trends to senior leaders and respond to questions with clarity and accuracy to colleagues with technical and non-technical backgrounds.
Exemplary writing skills, including the ability to produce research reports for executive audiences using MS Word, Excel, and Tableau.
Commitment to meet timelines, manage projects, and perform responsibilities with minimal supervision.
Proficiency with identifying pain points in processes, then developing both short- and long-term solutions.
Expertise in understanding, manipulating, and querying large data sets with complex file structures.
Demonstrable experience and skills in MS Office applications
Demonstrated advanced knowledge and experience with descriptive and inferential statistics.
Experience and success with creative problem solving particularly with respect to innovative data applications.
Conduct the analyses of data related to educational program evaluation and institutional research used for accreditation and ongoing institutional improvement.
Experience with qualitative research analysis, methodologies, and best practices.
Analyzes survey results data, including frequencies, cross tabulations, means tables.
Candidate must have ability to work with others as part of a project team as well as independently.
Ability to work collaboratively and to build collaborative relationships.
Strong analytical, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills are necessary.
Ability to work with changing and multiple priorities and to work under pressure.
Strong written communication skills, including reporting writing for a variety of audiences.
Advanced Excel and Word skills. Qualitative Researcher (required skills)
Experience working with stakeholders, developing research protocols, analyzing data, reporting results and summaries.
Proficiency in defining key metrics and measurements for institutional research topics
Leading research studies, both qualitative and quantitatively, to become the subject-matter-expert on the WGU student experience and how it contributes to student success from a human-centered design perspective.
Survey and Customer Experience Researcher (required skills)
Survey design and methodology; survey sampling and statistical analyses; topical studies and research
Determination of research techniques; manage question development and survey format; non-response analyses and summaries
+2 years’ experience and proficiency in the usage and management of survey software and related reporting processes for customer experience surveys
Quantitative Research (required skills)
Proficiency in the utilization of big data platforms via recognized business intelligence protocols to create actionable results for stakeholders
+3 experience in advanced statistical analyses such as time-series forecasting, machine learning, advanced ETL development, Spark, and big data development
+3 experience in SQL, Python, R, or Scala for processing and analyzing data
Experience with Adobe Analytics
Job Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Data Science/Analytics, Applied Psychology, Social Sciences or a related Research, Quantitative Analysis, or Analytical field of study.
3-5 years of experience performing data collection, analysis, and presentations.
A minimum of three years’ experience with databases, statistical software, or other high level computer skills.
Nice to have...
Master’s degree in Data Science/Analytics, Applied Psychology, Social Sciences or a related Research, Quantitative Analysis, or Analytical field of study.
Proficiency in the use of a range of information technology software such as Oracle, Banner, Cognos, and other recognized data reporting systems.
Familiarity with the higher education sector helpful.
Familiarity with higher education-related data sources including Salesforce, LMS and SIS platforms, Burning Glass, Emsi, IPEDS, National Student Clearinghouse, external research companies etc.
Ability to perform basic data ETL operations from/to multiple data sources/platforms.
Physical Requirements:
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Applicants with disabilities who need assistance with the hiring process may be entitled to reasonable accommodation. If you need assistance in completing an application or participating in an interview because of a disability, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting@wgu.com.
Disclaimer: This Job Description has been designed to indicate the general nature, essential duties, and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It does not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications that are required of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This Job Description does not constitute a contract of employment and the University may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.
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As an equal opportunity employer, WGU recognizes that our strength lies in our people. We are committed to diversity.