Senior Business Data Analyst

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Please include a cover letter with your CV/resume. It can be added to the application at the same time/place you add your CV/resume.

About USC

The University of Southern California (USC) is a leading private research university. The university offers students a world-class education with highly ranked programs in virtually every field - from cinema to the sciences - as well as unparalleled research, internship, and professional opportunities in a wide array of organizations including nonprofits, Fortune 500 companies and global businesses.

About Career Services

The mission of the USC Career Center is to provide exceptional career services to all members of the Trojan Family. Whether you are deciding on a major, exploring career options, seeking a job or internship, or looking for professional networks, the USC Career Center is committed to helping you achieve your professional goals.

About the Opportunity

The USC Career Center is seeking a Senior Career Services Research Analyst professional to collect data on students and alumni, perform data analytics to better understand outcomes, and communicate value and opportunities for improvement to campus and external stakeholders. The incumbent will provide leadership and perform all necessary functions related to the collection, interpretation, and use of institutional data, including summer experience and post-graduation destination data, for planning, assessment, and decision making.

Data Collection and Management

* Establish, administer, and coordinate the Career Center's institutional research activities, including collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting information for the first-destination and summer experience surveys
* Create an integrated and comprehensive process for collecting, managing, and disseminating outcomes data across platforms, including integration of career services systems used across USC
* Design and implement data collection methods (e.g., surveys, assessments) and develop processes to support data collection, cleaning, merging, and reporting
* Manage and maintain data systems (e.g., CRM, Qualtrics), including system integrity, access, security, backups, and documentation
* Develop and implement processes to collect, link, and analyze data from multiple sources, including internal and external systems and employers

Data Analysis, Reporting, and Insights

* Perform complex data analyses using a variety of techniques; partner with management to define analytical requirements and translate business needs into data-driven solutions
* Develop dashboards, reports, and data visualizations (e.g., Tableau) and ensure accuracy, consistency, and usability for target audiences
* Analyze and interpret data to identify trends, patterns, anomalies, and root causes; resolve data inconsistencies and ensure data accuracy
* Synthesize findings into clear, concise insights and summaries tailored for executive leadership, managers, and stakeholders
* Conduct trend and benchmarking analyses and apply appropriate statistical methods to inform best practices
* Deliver actionable insights and strategic recommendations to support decision-making, operational improvements, and long-term initiatives

Compliance, Quality Assurance, and Reporting Standards

* Ensure compliance with privacy, security, and data governance regulations and standards (e.g., NACE, NUBS, federal and state requirements)
* Monitor and maintain data integrity through ongoing validation, reconciliation, and quality assurance processes
* Prepare and submit required institutional and external reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness
* Evaluate data, reports, and related decisions to ensure quality, reliability, and effectiveness

Collaboration and Institutional Partnerships

* Collaborate with school-based career services, Institutional Research, the Registrar, and other campus partners on data initiatives and reporting needs
* Represent the Career Center in university committees and cross-campus initiatives to align data strategy and share insights
* Partner with external organizations and agencies (e.g., NACE, NUBS) for reporting, benchmarking, and research efforts
* Collaborate with leadership to define best practices, apply appropriate statistical methodologies, and translate data into actionable business recommendations
* Strengthen partnerships with the Alumni Association to expand access to longitudinal alumni data and outcomes tracking

Data Access, Communication, and Outreach

* Facilitate access to data and reporting tools to support Career Center operations and institutional priorities while ensuring responsible data use
* Lead communication strategies for data collection and reporting, including marketing and outreach campaigns to increase survey participation
* Represent the Career Center through events and outreach efforts to promote data initiatives and engage students in reporting outcomes

Training, Leadership, and Continuous Improvement

* Provide technical support and training on data systems, reporting tools, and data literacy to staff and stakeholders
* Promote and support continuous quality improvement through data-informed practices and training
* Apply statistical and quality management principles to enhance business processes and operational effectiveness
* Supervise, mentor, and provide guidance to student workers, including reviewing work and supporting professional development
* Stay current with industry trends, tools, and best practices in data analytics and higher education outcomes research

In addition, the successful candidate must demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment toUSC's Unifying Values.

Perform other related duties as assigned or requested

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Required: Bachelor's degree

Preferred: Masters's degree in one of the following Fields of Study:

- Statistics

- Economics

- Mathematics

- Accounting

- Business Administration

- Computer Science

- Information Science

- Management Science

- or in related field(s)

Additional Education: Combined experience/education may substitute for minimum education

Work Experience

Required: 3 Years; Preferred: 5 years

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required Functional Skills:

• Direct knowledge and experience in data modeling, data warehousing, reporting, and data visualization (e.g., Tableau).

• Project management experience for complex projects, including designing and implementing data collection processes and managing data across multiple systems (e.g., CRM, survey platforms).

• Demonstrated organizational, critical thinking, interpersonal, planning, problem solving, and business analytical skills, with the ability to perform complex data analysis, apply statistical methods, and translate business needs into actionable insights and recommendations.

• Able to work at a high functional and technical level, including ensuring data quality, integrity, governance, and compliance with applicable standards.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to synthesize and present data findings through dashboards, reports, and visualizations to diverse stakeholders and leadership.

Preferred Functional Skills:

• Expert knowledge of Data Warehousing methods (e.g., Kimball) and Relational and Analytical data structures (e.g., RDBMS, OLAP).

• Impressive experience in designing managerial level presentations and reports.

• Outstanding skills in finding resolution to complicated problems while performing independently in a multifaceted environment.

• Experience with higher education or institutional research data, including survey design, outcomes assessment, and familiarity with industry standards (e.g., NACE, NUBS).

• Experience managing data systems and supporting training, outreach, stakeholder engagement, or mentoring activities.

Salary Range

The annual base salary range for this position is $113,939-$128,939. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

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