Senior Operations and Data Analyst

Columbia University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University in New York seeks a Senior Operations and Data Analyst in the IEOR Department to design data systems, automate workflows, and support academic, admissions, and operational functions.

You will develop data pipelines, manage Slate CRM queries, create dashboards, and translate complex data into actionable insights for leadership.

This role emphasizes collaboration, data integrity, and scalable solutions in a fast-paced university environment.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required; graduate-level work is preferred. Minimum of 3–5 years of experience working with data.
• Technical Skills: Experience with programming or scripting (Python, JavaScript, macros) and automating tasks.
• Data Skills: Experience managing and organizing data, creating reports, and using tools like SQL, Google Sheets, and Excel.
• Systems & Integrations: Familiarity with CRMs (Slate preferred), internal tools, and connecting different systems for smooth workflows.
• Problem-Solving & Learning: Ability to troubleshoot data or system issues, understand how systems work, and quickly learn new tools.
• Professional Strengths: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; clear communicator with both technical and non-technical audiences; adaptable, collaborative, forward-thinking, and solution-oriented.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure, with a high level of attention to detail. Must be able to prioritize multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Candidates must exercise good judgment and flexibility, with a student-wellness mindset. Positive, mission-oriented, forward-thinking attitude.

Responsibilities

• Data Systems, Automation & Applications: Design, build, and maintain automated tools and scalable workflows for academic, career, and operational processes.
• Data Systems, Automation & Applications: Develop, optimize, and manage internal databases, data pipelines, and centralized repositories.
• Data Systems, Automation & Applications: Create, deploy, document, and maintain in-house applications and system integrations.
• Data Systems, Automation & Applications: Automate recurring administrative and reporting tasks using scripting, macros, APIs, and automation tools.
• Academic & Admissions Operations Support: Manage and maintain student and admissions data across systems ensuring data integrity.
• Academic & Admissions Operations Support: Build, refine, and maintain queries, reports, dashboards, and tracking tools in Slate CRM.
• Academic & Admissions Operations Support: Monitor, audit, and validate data accuracy and implement corrective workflows.
• Academic & Admissions Operations Support: Enhance staff workflows with structured data tools, templates, and documentation.
• Reporting, Communication & Data Access: Create, maintain, and automate reports, dashboards, and data visualizations for stakeholders.
• Reporting, Communication & Data Access: Manage data-driven communications including mail merges and dynamic distributions.
• Reporting, Communication & Data Access: Integrate emerging data systems to meet complex reporting needs.
• Reporting, Communication & Data Access: Translate datasets into clear insights for non-technical leadership.
• Analytics, Algorithms & Optimization: Develop analytical models for matching, scheduling, and enrollment management.
• Analytics, Algorithms & Optimization: Build projection, simulation, and modeling tools for academic planning.
• Analytics, Algorithms & Optimization: Analyze historical data to generate reports, trends, forecasts, and insights.
• Administrative and Events Operations: Provide on-site support for departmental events and initiatives.
• Administrative and Events Operations: Offer technical support during events and troubleshoot equipment.
• Administrative and Events Operations: Update content for the Departmental website on admissions and curricular changes.
• Administrative and Events Operations: Other tasks as needed.

Job description

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Morningside
• Salary Range: $85,000 to $93,500

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Academic and Student Affairs. The Senior Operations and Data Analyst enables efficient, data-driven management and support of the academic, admissions, career, and operational functions of the Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR) Department.

Responsibilities

Data Systems, Automation & Applications (30%):

• Design, build, and maintain automated tools and scalable workflows to support academic, career, and operational processes across different functional teams within the department.

• Develop, optimize, and manage internal databases, data pipelines, and centralized repositories that integrate and synchronize multiple institutional data sources.

• Create, deploy, document, and maintain in-house applications and system integrations to streamline cross-functional operations.

• Automate recurring administrative and reporting tasks using scripting, macros, APIs, and platform-specific automation tools to improve efficiency and reduce manual errors.

Academic & Admissions Operations Support (30%):

• Manage and maintain student and admissions data across internal systems, repositories, and communication platforms, ensuring data integrity and consistency.

• Support admissions operations by building, refining, and maintaining queries, reports, dashboards, and tracking tools for application and enrollment management in Slate CRM.

• Monitor, audit, and validate data accuracy across systems; investigate discrepancies and implement corrective workflows to maintain compliance and reliability.

• Enhance staff workflows by designing structured data tools, templates, and documentation that improve operational transparency and collaboration.

Reporting, Communication & Data Access (20%):

• Create, maintain, and automate reports, dashboards, and data visualizations tailored to stakeholders across academic and administrative teams.

• Manage large-scale, data-driven communications, including automated mail merges, targeted outreach campaigns, and dynamic distribution lists.

• Navigate and integrate emerging data systems and institutional platforms to respond efficiently to complex reporting and analysis requests.

• Translate complex datasets and technical findings into clear, structured, and actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders and leadership.

Analytics, Algorithms & Optimization (15%):

• Develop analytical models and logic frameworks to support tasks like matching, scheduling, and enrollment management, while identifying conflicts.

• Build projection, simulation, and modeling tools to support academic planning.

• Analyze historical academic, admissions, and operational data to generate reports, trend analyses, forecasts, and decision-support insights.

Administrative and Events Operations (5%):

• Provide on-site support for departmental events, programs, and initiatives as needed.

• Offer technical support during events, including setup and troubleshooting of presentation equipment, software, and virtual platforms.

• Provide and update content for the Departmental website in the areas of admissions, academic and student affairs, and curricular changes.

• Other tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required; graduate-level work is preferred. Minimum of 3–5 years of experience working with data.

Technical Skills: Experience with programming or scripting (Python, JavaScript, macros) and automating tasks.

Data Skills: Experience managing and organizing data, creating reports, and using tools like SQL, Google Sheets, and Excel.

Systems & Integrations: Familiarity with CRMs (Slate preferred), internal tools, and connecting different systems for smooth workflows.

Problem-Solving & Learning: Ability to troubleshoot data or system issues, understand how systems work, and quickly learn new tools.

Professional Strengths: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; clear communicator with both technical and non-technical audiences; adaptable, collaborative, forward-thinking, and solution-oriented.

Ability to work independently and under pressure, with a high level of attention to detail. Must be able to prioritize multiple tasks with minimal supervision.

Candidates must exercise good judgment and flexibility, with a student-wellness mindset. Positive, mission-oriented, forward-thinking attitude.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.