Data and Decision Analyst

Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University; Saint Davids (PA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University is seeking a Data and Decision Analyst to perform quantitative analytics, dashboard development, and reporting to inform institutional strategy. The role reports to the Associate Director of Strategic and Data Analysis and supports decision-making across academic and administrative units.

Responsibilities include data extraction, visualization, predictive analytics, automation of workflows, and ensuring data integrity under FERPA guidelines.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of hands-on data analysis, institutional research, BI, or decision support.
• Experience with higher education data sources (IPEDS, SIS, LMS) is preferred.
• Ability to translate analytics into actionable recommendations for leadership.

Responsibilities

• Partner with stakeholders to define metrics and data requirements.
• Extract, clean, integrate, and analyze datasets across enterprise systems.
• Build, deploy, and maintain interactive dashboards and data visualizations.
• Conduct trend, cohort, and predictive analyses to inform strategic decisions.
• Assist in automating data workflows and reporting processes.

Skills

Tableau

SQL

Python

Excel / Power Query

Education

Bachelor’s degree in data science, statistics, mathematics, business analytics or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Google Apps Script

Job description

The Data and Decision Analyst serves as a quantitative and technical analyst within the Division of Strategy and Effectiveness. Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Strategic and Data Analysis, this role performs hands‑on data collection, statistical modeling, dashboard development, and analytical reporting to inform institutional decision‑making and strategic initiatives.

In addition to core analytics, this position plays a pivotal operational function in divisional process automation and optimization, identifying manual workflows across systems and leveraging data pipelines, scripts, and automation tools to streamline division‑wide initiatives.

Through a dotted‑line reporting relationship to the Director of Institutional Effectiveness, the analyst also directly supports key assessment, accreditation, and institutional performance monitoring processes.

Strategic Analytics & Decision Support (Primary Report: Associate Director)

• Stakeholder Consultation: Partner with academic and administrative stakeholders to clarify decision questions, define metrics and data requirements, identify appropriate data sources, and translate analytical findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Data Extraction & Integration: Extract, clean, integrate, and analyze complex datasets across enterprise systems to support strategic decision‑making.
• Visualization & Dashboard Development:Build, deploy, and maintain interactive business intelligence dashboards and data visualization tools for divisional and institutional leadership.
• Predictive Analytics & Tracking: Conduct trend, cohort, longitudinal‑outcomes, comparative, and predictive analyses of institutional, IPEDS, and other external higher‑education data to identify patterns, benchmark performance, and inform decisions related to student enrollment, retention, academic performance, post‑graduation outcomes, and institutional efficiency.
• Briefings & Reporting: Assist the Associate Director in preparing analytical briefs, data presentations, and executive summaries for strategic initiative teams.

Process Automation & Operational Efficiency

• Workflow Automation: Identify, design, and implement automated workflows, scripts, and scheduled data feeds to reduce manual data manipulation across divisional initiatives.
• Process Optimization: Audit recurring data collection and reporting tasks across the division to standardize metrics and establish automated, repeatable processes.

Assessment & Institutional Effectiveness Support (Dotted‑Line: Director of IE)

• Assessment & Plan Tracking: Support the Director of Institutional Effectiveness in gathering, structuring, and analyzing data related to assessing institutional programs, priorities, strategies, and strategic plan KPIs.
• Automated Unit Reviews: Assist in developing automated data templates and digital survey tools that support administrative unit planning and review.
• Continuous Improvement: Process and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data and metrics to support mission‑driven continuous institutional improvement.

Data Integrity & Governance

• Data & Process Governance: Maintain rigorous standards for data accuracy, consistency, documentation, confidentiality, and compliance with FERPA and institutional data‑governance policies across assigned projects and initiatives.
• Institutional Research Alignment: Collaborate with the Institutional Research team to cross‑verify metrics and data to ensure alignment and accuracy in reporting.

Additional Responsibilities

• Stay current on developing trends in higher education analytics, IR, and emerging technologies.
• Serve on institutional committees as requested.
• Attend University meetings and events as required.
• Embody Eastern University’s vision, mission, and core values of excellence, authenticity, stewardship, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, relationships, and innovation.

Other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in data science, statistics, mathematics, business analytics or a closely related quantitative field required (Master’s degree preferred).

Experience

Minimum 2‑3 years of hands‑on experience in data analysis, institutional research, business intelligence, or decision support (experience in higher education preferred).

Analytical & Technical Skills

• Strong experience with Tableau, SQL, Python, and advanced Excel/Power Query for data extraction, transformation, validation, analysis, and visualization.
• Proven ability to ethically and responsibly use AI in coding, designing workflows, etc.
• Familiarity with Higher Education Student Information Systems (e.g., Banner, Colleague, Workday), Learning Management Systems (e.g., Canvas, Brightspace), and national datasets (e.g., IPEDS).
• Experience with the Google suite and successful implementation of automations using Google Apps Script.

Domain Knowledge

Understanding of higher education data governance, institutional assessment methodologies, and survey research design.

Communication & Collaboration

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to explain complex statistical analysis to non‑technical audiences and leadership.

Project Management

Strong organizational and time‑management skills, with the ability to balance dual reporting priorities, manage competing deadlines, and work collaboratively in a team environment.