Want to know if this job is worth applying to?
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Onsite
The Office of Data & Strategic Analytics (ODSA) provides the university with accurate, timely data and analysis to support planning, decision-making, and compliance. The Director of Strategic Analytics leads LSU's strategic analytics function within ODSA. The Director designs and conducts analyses that inform policy and strategic decisions by the Provost, the Chancellor, executive leadership, and colleges. The role combines hands-on analytical programming with consultation, decision support, and training for campus partners. The Director works with the Directors of Institutional Research and Data Management to deliver accurate, consistent, and well-documented analytics products. The Director also leads ODSA's work on institutional data definitions in the university's data catalog to define metrics clearly, connect definitions to dashboards and reports, and expand their use to campus units.
Job Responsibilities
Lead strategic analytics and decision support for the university, in partnership with the Associate Vice Provost. Consult with executive leadership, colleges, and administrative units to define analytical questions, scope projects, and recommend appropriate data and methods. Design and conduct analyses using methods such as regression, predictive modeling, enrollment and financial forecasting, quasi-experimental program evaluation, and scenario modeling, drawing on institutional and external data such as labor market, alumni outcomes, and faculty productivity data. Prepare briefs, memos, and presentations that translate results into clear recommendations for the Provost, Chancellor, and executive leadership. Support institutional performance and benchmarking work. Contribute to conference presentations and publications based on ODSA's analytical work. (40%)
Write, test, and maintain analytical code in SAS, SQL, Python, or R to produce datasets, models, and recurring analyses. Design and build interactive dashboards and reports in Tableau for monitoring strategic initiatives. Integrate AI tools into analytical workflows and contribute to the development of institutional analytics tools. Establish coding standards, version control, methodology documentation, and peer review so analytical products are reproducible and transferable to other staff. Stay current on developments in higher education analytics, data science, AI, and machine learning. (20%)
In partnership with the Director of Data Management, draft and maintain business and technical data definitions in the university's data catalog and governance platform for institutional metrics, reports, and dashboards. Work with the Associate Vice Provost to design and carry out a plan for expanding the data catalog to additional campus units and data domains, including onboarding processes, and create training documentation and videos for new domains and users. Integrate Tableau dashboards and published reports with the data catalog through its API so users can see how each measure is defined. Support the quarterly data steward community meetings. (15%)
Develop and deliver training, workshops, and guides on data use, analytical methods, and ODSA tools for faculty and staff, in partnership with the Associate Vice Provost. Develop training materials and resources that could support a future ODSA shared service model, in coordination with other ODSA staff. Mentor ODSA staff in analytical methods and programming. (10%)
Manage multiple strategic analytics projects with competing priorities, setting timelines and resource needs. Supervise and develop assigned staff. Coordinate with the Directors of Institutional Research and Data Management and with Information Technology Services on shared data, definitions, and projects. (10%)
Other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice Provost for Data & Strategic Analytics. (5%)
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Statistics, analytics, data science, economics, education, public policy, or a related quantitative or social science field
7 years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis, institutional research, business intelligence, or related
Specific Experience: Analytical programming in SAS, SQL, Python, or R; building dashboards in Tableau or a comparable tool; presenting findings to senior leaders and non-technical audiences
LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply— a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in Statistics, analytics, data science, economics, education, public policy, or a related quantitative or social science field
7 or more years, including supervisory or project leadership experience
Specific Experience: Higher education analytics or institutional research; predictive modeling and forecasting; developing training for data users
Skills Needed:
Preferred Skills:
Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.
All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.
For questions or concerns related to updating your application with attachments (e.g., resumes, RS:17 documents), date of birth, or reactivating applications, please contact the LSU Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-8200 or email HR@lsu.edu. For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact the department using the information provided in the Special Instructions section of this job posting.
