Western Governors University

Data Analyst - Institutional Research and Analytics (IAR)

Western Governors University$75K — $112K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a related discipline.
  • 3 years of relevant experience in Data Analysis or related fields.
  • Advanced SQL proficiency for complex queries and optimizations.
  • Experience with Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools to build visualizations.
  • Strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • Knowledge of relational databases and data modeling concepts.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially advanced Excel capabilities.

Responsibilities

  • Partner with stakeholders to clarify business challenges and analytics needs.
  • Extract, clean, and analyze data from diverse sources for actionable insights.
  • Design and maintain dashboards and reports using analytics tools.
  • Collaborate with Data Engineering on data processes and quality assurance.
  • Identify and resolve data issues, ensuring data reliability.
  • Communicate findings through presentations and tailored reports.
  • Support forecasting and strategic initiatives with thorough analysis.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Flexible paid time off with no accrual needed.
  • 11 paid holidays and additional paid leaves including parental leave.
  • Retirement savings plan-related benefits.
  • Access to discounted WGU tuition.
  • Wellbeing program and various insurance coverages.
Full Job Description
Job Description

If you're energized by solving complex problems, uncovering insights in data, and helping leaders make better decisions, this role offers the opportunity to make a measurable impact. We are seeking a curious, driven Data Analyst who can transform data into actionable intelligence and help accelerate decision-making through analytics, forecasting, and compelling data storytelling.

Impact

As a Data Analyst on the Institutional Research & Analytics team, you will partner with stakeholders across analytics, product, technology, finance, and academic functions to deliver meaningful insights that inform strategy and improve outcomes. You'll leverage data to answer complex business questions, develop scalable reporting solutions, and help drive a culture of evidence-based decision making.
What You'll Do
  • Partner with stakeholders to understand business challenges, document analytics requirements, and translate user stories into technical solutions.
  • Extract, clean, transform, and analyze data from multiple sources to evaluate hypotheses, identify trends, and generate actionable insights.
  • Design, build, and maintain dashboards, reports, and visualizations using tools such as Tableau and Power BI.
  • Collaborate with Data Engineering teams on ETL/ELT processes, data pipelines, and data quality initiatives.
  • Identify, investigate, and resolve data issues while helping ensure the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of institutional data assets.
  • Communicate findings through data storytelling, presentations, workshops, and written deliverables tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Support forecasting, KPI development, and strategic initiatives through thoughtful analysis and recommendations.
What You'll Bring
  • Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline.
  • 3 years of related experience in Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Decision Intelligence, Research, Learning Science, or Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology.
  • Advanced SQL proficiency, including experience with queries and subqueries, joins, aggregation, window functions, common table expressions (CTEs), views, data manipulation (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE), and performance optimization.
  • Experience using Tableau, Power BI, or similar business intelligence tools to develop impactful dashboards and visualizations.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations.
  • Knowledge of relational databases, data modeling concepts, and descriptive statistical methods.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while demonstrating sound judgment, accountability, and a bias for action.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including advanced Excel capabilities.
Bonus Points
  • Experience presenting analyses and recommendations to executive leaders.
  • Project management experience, including exposure to Agile, Waterfall, SDLC, or related methodologies.
  • Experience with forecasting, KPI development, data modeling, or supporting ETL processes.
  • Background demonstrating exceptional academic achievement, professional growth, or a successful transition into analytics from another discipline.
Experience in Lieu of Education

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is at the discretion of the hiring manager.

What to Expect

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do, including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations and collaboration.

We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.
  • Introductory call
  • Hiring manager interview
  • Technical panel interview
  • Interview with Senior Director
Work Location

This is a full-time, in-office position requiring five days per week in our Salt Lake City, Utah office, designed to foster the collaboration and connection that fuel our best work.

Visa Sponsorship

While we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Travel Requirement

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

About Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit online university based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The university was founded by 19 U.S. governors in 1997 with a mission to expand access to higher education. WGU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, and healthcare. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and has been recognized by the White House as an example of excellence in education innovation. WGU has a competency-based learning model, which allows students to progress through their coursework at their own pace based on their mastery of the material.
Learn more about Western Governors University
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5,000 employees
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