Manager of Data Integration and Optimization

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Aurora (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora University seeks a Manager of Data Integration and Optimization to guide the development, integration, and use of institutional data and reporting systems. This role strengthens the university’s data ecosystem to support student success and accreditation.

As a data systems leader, you will coordinate pipelines, build dashboards, and partner with ITS to implement modern data solutions, while ensuring data quality and access university-wide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data-focused orientation.
• Experience with data pipelines, dashboards, and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and monitor data pipelines from university systems into data warehouses.
• Serve as a campus resource for institutional data and lifecycle management.
• Evaluate and test data systems for performance and alignment with campus needs.
• Build dashboards and data extracts for leadership and staff to enable data-informed decisions.
• Collaborate with ITS on data lake, warehouse, and technology solutions.
• Translate goals into technical specs for scalable data solutions.
• Develop and document new student success technology integration strategies.
• Monitor operations, resolve issues, and automate student success data processes.
• Establish data quality standards to ensure reporting accuracy.
• Support campus-wide data literacy and access initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Documentation

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in computer science, information systems/technology, engineering, or related field

Tools

SQL

Data Lakes

Data Warehouses

Dashboard Visualization

ERP/CRM/LMS integrations

Job description

Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Decision Support

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Decision Support (IE) strives to support a culture where institutional effectiveness is a driving force. It encourages measurement of achievements and outcomes in relation to Aurora University’s mission and strategic plan and draws upon the findings to make positive change.

Core IE responsibilities include coordination of internal and external reporting and analysis in support of institutional priorities, accreditation, and compliance. IE collaborates with the administration, faculty, and staff on data needs for institutional planning and decision-making, including operational, budgetary, strategic planning, and student measures.

Position Purpose

The Manager of Data Integration and Optimization advances Aurora University’s mission by guiding the development, integration, and effective use of institutional data and reporting systems. This role is central to strengthening the University’s data ecosystem in support of student success, equity‑focused initiatives, accreditation, and strategic decision‑making. Serving as the Institutional Effectiveness and Decision Support lead for data pipelines and analytics technologies, the position partners across the institution to identify, implement, and sustain modern data solutions. As an individual contributor with broad institutional impact, this role acts as a trusted collaborator on data strategy, system integration, and analytics best practices.

Core Competencies

1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
2. Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, our singular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personal and professional success. We do this by being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching‑centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and purposeful lives.
3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions

• Coordinate and monitor data pipelines from university systems and their integration into technology solutions and data warehouses.
• Serve as an expert and campus resource for available data and its institutional lifecycle.
• Evaluate and test institutional data systems for optimal performance, reliability, and alignment with evolving campus needs.
• Build dashboards and data extracts to optimize data access and enable leadership, faculty, and staff to make timely, data‑informed decisions.
• Collaborate with ITS on implementing and managing the institution’s data lake, data warehouse, and technology solutions.
• Translate institutional goals, operational needs, and student success priorities into technical specifications and scalable data solutions.
• Develop, implement, and document new and existing student success technology integration strategies.
• Monitor and maintain operations, resolve issues, develop new solutions, and automate processes for student success data.
• Establish and uphold data quality and validation standards to promote consistency, accuracy, and institutional trust in reporting.
• Support campus‑wide data literacy and access initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in computer science, information systems/technology, engineering, or other related fields required.

Experience

• Strong coding, systems knowledge, and quantitative experience preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of data lakes, warehouses, and educational solutions products.
• Experienced in the use of dashboard visualization tools.
• Experience using SQL to add customization or extend pre‐made dashboards, AI, and queries.
• Experience working with or integrating ERP, CRM, or LMS.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem‑solving skills and ability to follow procedures and resolve issues.
• Experience training end users.
• Institutional research experience a plus.

Skills

• Proficient in using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Sound judgment and prioritization skills.
• Ability to multi‑task while being detail‑oriented.
• Excellent organization and documentation skills.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional time management skills with the ability to meet project deadlines.
• Capacity to work independently while collaborating with multiple departments.
• Ability to accept divergent views while maintaining a constructive working relationship with other team members.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work with a computer for long periods of the day.
• Ability to communicate and interact via electronic mail, telephone, and in‑person.

Work Hours

Expected equivalent of 40 hours per week, but days/hours may vary as needed. Hybrid work schedule will be considered after the orientation period if candidate demonstrates ability to fulfill this role effectively off‑site.

Special Requirements

• Displays an interest in a career in Higher Education and/or Analytics.
• Maintains departmental compliance by completing Human Subjects Research, FERPA, and Data Privacy and Security trainings.