Business Data Analyst

Job Description

The Business Data Analyst will play a critical role in transforming raw data into actionable insights that drive enrollment growth, optimize marketing spend, improve student outcomes, and guide strategic decision-making for this high‑growth initiative. This position requires exceptional analytical capabilities, business acumen, and the ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations for non‑technical stakeholders operating at startup velocity.

Reporting to the Exec Dir of Operations, this role will collect, analyze, and visualize data from diverse sources including enrollment systems, marketing platforms, student information systems, learning management systems, CRM tools, and financial systems. This role demands proficiency with data visualization tools, statistical analysis, and the ability to identify trends and patterns that inform strategy across enrollment, marketing, student success, and operations.

The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguous environments, asks probing questions to uncover insights, builds scalable reporting frameworks, and partners cross‑functionally to ensure data integrity/accessibility. This is an opportunity to build analytics infrastructure from the ground up and shape how SU Global uses data to achieve its mission of democratizing access to world‑class education. This is a campus‑facing, on‑campus position requiring daily in‑person presence to fulfill essential job functions, coordinate with stakeholders across the university, and maintain real‑time collaboration with team members to respond effectively to dynamic operational needs.

Syracuse University is building something new. We’re launching SU Global to reimagine how we support and scale accessible online pathways for non‑traditional learners, in a dynamic, innovative, and data‑driven environment. That means rethinking how we work.

• High‑energy, in‑person environments where innovation happens face‑to‑face
• Flexible scheduling that follows student needs, not the clock
• Startup intensity within a world‑class university structure

• Bachelor’s degree required in data analytics, statistics, business analytics, economics, information systems, mathematics, or related quantitative field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 2‑4 years of experience in business analytics, data analysis, or business intelligence roles, preferably in higher education, enrollment management, online education, or high‑growth organizations.
• Demonstrated experience working with large datasets, building visualizations, conducting statistical analysis, and translating data into business recommendations.
• Experience in fast‑paced environments managing multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines.

• Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, formulas, and statistical functions.
• Expert proficiency with Tableau/Power BI.
• Experience with statistical analysis/predictive modeling. SQL knowledge preferred.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, student information systems (People Soft preferred), and marketing analytics platforms.
• Understanding of web analytics and survey tools.

• Highly analytical mindset to identify patterns and trends in datasets.
• Strategic thinking to connect insights to business strategy.
• Strong quantitative reasoning with statistical concepts and forecasting.
• Critical thinking to evaluate data quality and determine analytical approaches.

• Excellent communication skills to explain complex concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• Strong data storytelling capabilities.
• Ability to create clear visualizations.
• Collaborative work style building relationships across organizational boundaries.

• Extremely organized with attention to detail.
• Independent self‑starter thriving in fast‑paced environments.
• Manages many concurrent projects.

• Required to maintain regular in‑person presence on campus to ensure accessibility and responsive support.
• Ability to adapt work hours to meet the operational needs of the organization.

• Underst…