Job Description SummaryThis position is responsible for the strategic design, advanced development, testing and maintenance of reports and dashboards to optimize analytics and reporting in support of the University's data-driven strategies and decision making. This role operates beyond standard report development and maintenance to partner with functional units within Finance as well as the business partner community to ensure reporting needs are appropriately addressed in an efficient and consistent manner. This position leads the reporting application lifecycle, performs deep-dive impact analyses for system upgrades, and serves as a primary liaison between Information Systems and the Finance division to ensure data integrity and process efficiency. Other key responsibilities include maintaining and reviewing application security to ensure data is appropriately protected.
Job DescriptionEssential Functions:- Data Repository Development: Develops data extracts from key systems (e.g. Workday) to populate the financial-related data repository that will support dashboard development. Architects and governs formal metadata descriptions including complex data models, flow diagrams, and advanced data definitions.
- Data Management: Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of financial-related data by working closely with the finance team to validate and reconcile data across systems. Recommends automated solutions for accuracy and completeness.
- Reporting & Dashboard Development: Partners with functional users to gather business requirements and translate complex business needs into high-impact reports and dashboards. Employs advanced visualization techniques to highlight trends, anomalies, and strategic KPIs for executive review. Partners with functional users and Information Systems to ensure reports and dashboards are deployed to production in a timely manner. Ensures reports and dashboards are appropriately secured and shared appropriately.
- Liaison & Consultation: Acts as a senior consultant to the business partner community, providing expert guidance on data availability and self-service reporting capabilities.
- Project Management: Develops dashboarding and reporting-related project plans representing the full project lifecycle from inception to completion, including project scope, timelines, stakeholder communications and ensuring deliverables are met according to stakeholder requirements. Creates and maintains comprehensive project documentation to ensure clarity and continuity.
- Data Security: Develops, maintains and reviews application security access for reports to ensure internal controls are maintained systematically and data is protected from unauthorized access.
- Quality Assurance and Testing: Conducts thorough quality assurance checks on reports to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to established standards. Develops and executes detailed test plans to ensure that reports meet the original specifications and run efficiently, securely and correctly.
- System Upgrade Support: Evaluates system impact as a result of available upgrades, including patches/fixes, and business change requests. Performs testing in collaboration with functional users, Information Systems, and third parties for supported application upgrades.
- System Maintenance Support: Leads the investigation and resolution of reporting issues encountered by users. Logs support incidents and coordinates timely problem resolution with user and/or Information Systems staff as needed.
- Continuous Improvement: Stays abreast of industry best practices and emerging trends in reporting and analytics. Proactively identifies, recommends, and implements improvements to existing reporting workflows, transforming manual tasks into automated, efficient processes. Understands and communicates the upstream and downstream impacts of system changes to stakeholders.
- Performs other related functions and duties as required.
Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:- Bachelor's degree in a business, accounting or computer science-related major and five to seven years of experience with ERP systems and related applications or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Expert-level SQL authoring and advanced proficiency in Workday Report Writer, Prism, and Power BI. Deep understanding of ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes and relational database concepts. Experience with data warehousing concepts and development.
- Creative problem solver who identifies hidden opportunities, optimizes broken processes, and designs intuitive, actionable visualizations to guide strategic decisions.
- Ability to pivot when confronted with an obstacle and think outside the box to problem solve.
- Embrace exploring new reporting tools or functionality and consider appropriate use cases for a new technology.
- Experience creating compelling visualizations to communicate data insights effectively.
- Ability to maintain the security and confidentiality of any proprietary or sensitive data.
- Experience in documenting, developing and testing reports.
- Knowledge of project management methodology and practices.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Access and Visio) and Google Workspace.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal finesse to interact effectively within the organization and with external suppliers.
- Above-average interpersonal skills with the ability to resolve technical conflicts and communicate complex data concepts to non-technical audiences without escalation.
- Experience working in a finance or accounting function.
- Ability to work in a team environment as a participant and with a proven ability to lead cross-functional project teams and manage multiple high-priority deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Exceptional organization skills, attention to detail, and a proven ability to follow projects and issues through to completion.
- Must be comfortable in an environment that places high emphasis on continuous improvement, teamwork, and excellent customer service.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:- Experience in higher education administration and related current best practices and leading-edge technologies.
- Workday Pro Reporting or Advanced certification in Power BI.
Accountabilities:- Responsible for own work only.
Additional Job DescriptionThis position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.Time Type RequirementFull time
Note to Applicant:This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.
