Stanford University seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world and, in turn, is dedicated to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives.
Stanford’s Business Affairs provides administrative policies, infrastructure, systems, services, and support for the benefit of the university community.
Financial Management Services (FMS), a department within Business Affairs, is responsible for creating an ecosystem which promotes innovative and sound financial administration policies and practices that balance controls, compliance, and customer service. FMS is primarily responsible for financial policy oversight, quality assurance and financial services at Stanford University and its affiliated entities. It also serves as a liaison to the hospitals and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). The FMS work environment is grounded by core values that include adapting to change, engaging in curiosity, celebrating accomplishments, and encouraging an inclusive environment where everyone is valued, respected, and can thrive.
JOB PURPOSE:
The Organizational Insight Analystis a key member of the Data Analytics (DA) team within Financial Management Services (FMS) and is responsible for interpreting, monitoring, and analyzing information regarding policies, procedures, demographics, and operational outcomes yielding actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging areas. The analyst’s key responsibilities will be to interpret business questions, identify and collect data to answer them, perform complex analysis and derive insights from data. The analyst will design, process and present the analysis to help the business team make better strategic decisions for the organization. The analysis may require a deep understanding of the business processes, policies and systems supported by FMS, in an effort to identify trends and behaviors represented in the data. Additional responsibilities will include writing business requirements, designing analytics solutions, recommending system enhancements, as well as supporting projects to ensure that the University’s financial needs are addressed in an efficient and thoughtful manner.
The Organizational Insight Analyst will report to the Director of Strategic Analytics and work in Financial Systems and Reporting (FSR) whose group sits within FMS. The individual will support all groups within FMS as well as the collaboration with the University Budget Office and the Office of the CFO, providing greater exposure, breadth and impact of work.
Performing data analysis and developing analytics solutions will support the team’s goals to establish data driven decision making across the organization. A key and immediate goal is to prioritize and identify ways to improve the usability of existing operational and other business reporting by developing reports and analyses providing actionable insights for Directors and Senior Leadership (i.e. management dashboards). The scope of his/her activities will have a high institutional impact as the analyses undertaken will involve multiple teams affecting a broad range of university activities. This position will work closely and collaboratively with other FMS teams and central departments to identify areas where financial policies and processes can be improved.
This position may be heavily involved with the following applications: Oracle, OBI, ServiceNow, SQL, Tableau, Incorta, Python, RStudio. Knowledge on how to gather data from these and other systems is highly desirable. Additionally, this position will lead efforts within FMS to ensure data requests are addressed using the right tool, supported by the right team, based on factors such as data source, audience, and other factors.
CORE DUTIES*:
- Answer questions by developing research methodology, gathering data and/or using appropriate statistical techniques on available data.
- Drive collection of new data and the refinement of existing data sources; apply and use algorithms or other advanced techniques to accomplish this.
- Fully analyze the problem, question existing processes and assumptions, gather data and information, find and evaluate alternative solutions, and propose the best course of action.
- Explore data from multiple angles, determine meaning behind the data, and recommend ways to apply the data.
- Communicate, convey, and visualize informed conclusions and recommendations across an organization’s leadership structure in a manner to “tell the story” behind the data and influence how organization approaches the challenge.
- May interact with and influence senior leaders, faculty, and/or senate with written summaries and/or presentations on assigned research.
- May delineate the information to be gathered, collect data at the project inception, prescribe how to structure the data, and specify the data warehousing structure for future access.
- Through data, may predict what actions will be taken in a designated time frame for a prescribed issue/challenge.
- May need to collaborate with other organizations to gather data. Proactively seek and locate data, including outside benchmarks or comparative data, to support or refute proposed decisions.
- Research, and synthesize data for broad areas; develop complex financial analyses, budget and forecasting scenarios, long-range planning, and analyses. Perform root-cause analysis and synthesis, draw conclusions, and propose solutions.
- Work under consultative or self-initiated direction to assess and produce relevant, standard, or custom information (reports, charts, graphs and tables) from structured data sources by querying data repositories and generating the associated information. Distribute and disseminate reports to applicable agencies, researchers, management and other internal end-users.
- Devise methods for identifying data patterns, trends in available information sources using a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Determine and recommend additional data collection and reporting requirements.
- May plan, direct, coordinate, monitor and review the work of others during all phases of the team’s work.
* – Other duties may also be assigned
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor degree in a relevant technical field and four years’ extensive experience or combination of education and relevant technical field experience solving analytical problems using quantitative approaches.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Proficiency in manipulating and analyzing complex, high-volume, high-dimensionality data from varying sources.
- Extensive experience in and strong passion for empirical research and answering hard questions with data.
- Interpersonal and communication skills to positively convey findings and influence senior leadership & faculty.
- Demonstrated experience querying, processing, analyzing, and reporting on large data sets.
- Ability to use data retrieval and manipulation tools such as SQL, etc. in conjunction with visual data tools to present data clearly to non-technical audiences.
- Familiarity and experience with intermediate statistical methods; advanced proficiency with statistical tools such as SPSS, SAS, R or similar tools.
- Ability to tell stories with data using data visualization software such as Tableau, Excel, or similar software in conjunction with strong verbal ability.
- Ability to use visual data tools to present data clearly to non-technical audiences.
- Flexible analytical approach allowing for results at varying levels of precision.
- Familiarity with strategic planning concepts.
- Excellent project management skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
- Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
- Frequently sit, sort, file paperwork or parts, grasp lightly, and use fine manipulation, lift, carry, push and pull objects that weigh 10 pounds or less.
- Occasionally write by hand, twist, bend, stoop, and squat.
- Rarely stand, walk, reach or work above shoulders and use a telephone.
- – Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- May work extended hours during peak business cycles.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
The expected pay range for this position is $105,000 to $138,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.y
HOW TO APPLY:
We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply Online” link. Please submit an online application, resume, and cover letter.
Why Stanford is for You:
Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and how it enriches the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
- Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
- A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
- A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
- Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
- Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!
- Redwood City. Our new Stanford Redwood City campus, which opened in 2019, is the workplace for approximately 2,700 staff, including FMS, whose jobs are important to supporting the University’s mission. The campus will offer amenities such as onsite cafes and a dining pavilion, a high-end fitness facility with an outdoor pool, and a childcare center for Stanford families.
Note: The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
We pride ourselves in being a culture that encourages and empowers you.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.