Data Analyst

University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst (MA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks a Data Analyst to support financial reporting and inventory dashboards within Information Technology. The role emphasizes turning complex data into clear KPI reporting, reliable metrics, and actionable insights for stakeholders and leadership.

You will design and maintain interactive dashboards, analyze large datasets for trends and anomalies, and ensure data quality across sources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting, plus a minimum of two (2) years of experience as a business or financial analyst.
• Experience enhancing and optimizing Power BI dashboards for budgeting and financial reporting.
• Technical expertise with data models, database design development, data mining, and segmentation techniques.
• Advanced ability to design interactive, visually clear dashboards and reports for business stakeholders.
• Experience building and refining inventory tracking dashboards to improve project rollout efficiency and increase visibility into inventory and usage metrics for purchasing decisions.
• Strong proficiency in SQL and Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, and Power Query), plus Python or R.
• Knowledge of data governance, compliance, and reporting best practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail in collecting, organizing, analyzing, and disseminating information.
• Aptitude for queries, report writing, and presenting findings.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, maintain, and enhance interactive dashboards and data visualizations that communicate key metrics, trends, and insights.
• Analyze complex datasets to surface trends, patterns, anomalies, and opportunities, then translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Acquire, integrate, and prepare data from multiple sources for analysis and reporting.
• Execute data validation and quality assurance to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency; investigate discrepancies and collaborate with IT and technical partners to resolve data issues.
• Develop and maintain KPI calculations, business rules, and reporting methodologies for consistent, accurate reporting.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate data preparation, validation, and recurring reporting processes to reduce manual effort.
• Work with cross-functional stakeholders across Administration & Finance to understand business requirements and deliver appropriate analytical solutions.
• Conduct ad hoc analyses and prepare reports, presentations, and analytical summaries for managers and leadership.
• Maintain documentation for data sources, calculations, business rules, reporting processes, and identified data issues and resolutions.
• Test and validate new data sources, data models, system enhancements, and reporting solutions to confirm accuracy and alignment with business requirements.
• Perform other related duties and support special projects and initiatives as assigned.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Query writing

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting

Tools

Power BI

SQL

Excel

Python

R

Job description

The Data Analyst will support operational and strategic decision-making within Information Technology by developing and analyzing financial reporting tools and inventory asset management dashboards. This hybrid role at the University of Massachusetts Amherst focuses on turning complex data into clear KPI reporting, reliable metrics, and actionable insights for stakeholders and leadership.

What you'll do

• Design, develop, maintain, and enhance interactive dashboards and data visualizations that communicate key metrics, trends, and insights.
• Analyze complex datasets to surface trends, patterns, anomalies, and opportunities, then translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Acquire, integrate, and prepare data from multiple sources for analysis and reporting.
• Execute data validation and quality assurance to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency; investigate discrepancies and collaborate with IT and technical partners to resolve data issues.
• Develop and maintain KPI calculations, business rules, and reporting methodologies for consistent, accurate reporting.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate data preparation, validation, and recurring reporting processes to reduce manual effort.
• Work with cross-functional stakeholders across Administration & Finance to understand business requirements and deliver appropriate analytical solutions.
• Conduct ad hoc analyses and prepare reports, presentations, and analytical summaries for managers and leadership.
• Maintain documentation for data sources, calculations, business rules, reporting processes, and identified data issues and resolutions.
• Test and validate new data sources, data models, system enhancements, and reporting solutions to confirm accuracy and alignment with business requirements.
• Perform other related duties and support special projects and initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting, plus a minimum of two (2) years of experience as a business or financial analyst.
• Experience enhancing and optimizing Power BI dashboards for budgeting and financial reporting.
• Technical expertise with data models, database design development, data mining, and segmentation techniques.
• Advanced ability to design interactive, visually clear dashboards and reports for business stakeholders.
• Experience building and refining inventory tracking dashboards to improve project rollout efficiency and increase visibility into inventory and usage metrics for purchasing decisions.
• Strong proficiency in SQL and Excel (including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, and Power Query), plus Python or R.
• Knowledge of data governance, compliance, and reporting best practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail in collecting, organizing, analyzing, and disseminating information.
• Aptitude for queries, report writing, and presenting findings.

Tools and technologies

• Power BI
• SQL
• Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, Power Query)
• Python
• R

Work schedule and arrangement

• Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
• Hybrid work schedule as defined by the University, with work regularly performed off campus for a portion of the week.

Compensation and approvals

• Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 27.
• This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Additional details

• Schedule flexibility may be required to support implementations, campus events, and project deadlines.
• Work is performed in a standard office/indoor university environment with minimal physical exertion.