Data Analyst

As the Data Analyst, you support the college's mission by providing data-driven insights that inform strategic decisions and ensure compliance with institutional reporting (e.g., IPEDS, US News, NC-SARA, HLC). Reporting to the Director of Institutional Analytics, you analyze, interpret, and communicate data to support the college’s goals. You leverage your analytical expertise (descriptive, diagnostic, exploratory, and predictive) to transform complex data into clear, actionable insights by synthesizing quantitative and qualitative information, customizing data pulls to meet specific needs, and conducting ad hoc analyses. This position requires a balance of technical acumen and collaboration skills, focusing on process automation and enhancing data accessibility. Your contributions directly impact the college’s capacity for informed decision-making, supporting data transparency, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and strategic growth.

Requirements

Who is American College of Education
Founded in 2005, American College of Education continues to be a leader in professional development through our online programs. The mission of ACE is to deliver high-quality, affordable and accessible online programs grounded in evidence-based content and relevant application. Our graduates are prepared to serve, lead and achieve personal and professional goals in diverse, evolving communities. As a socially conscious institution, we’re dedicated to making a positive impact and inspiring our students to do the same.

ACE is a premier organization that is continually recognized for its commitment to social responsibility. In 2016, ACE became a Certified B Corporation. As a socially conscious institution, we believe we have a responsibility to our students, alumni, employees, local communities, and society. We strive to make an impact in the world that goes well beyond our bottom line.

Who You Are
You are passionate about helping students achieve their educational goals. You thrive in a competitive and collaborative team environment. You are comfortable working remotely and have experience collaborating with others in a virtual environment. You possess a strong attention to detail.    

As the Data Analyst, you support the college's mission by providing data-driven insights that inform strategic decisions and ensure compliance with institutional reporting (e.g., IPEDS, US News, NC-SARA, HLC). Reporting to the Director of Institutional Analytics, you analyze, interpret, and communicate data to support the college’s goals. You leverage your analytical expertise (descriptive, diagnostic, exploratory, and predictive) to transform complex data into clear, actionable insights by synthesizing quantitative and qualitative information, customizing data pulls to meet specific needs, and conducting ad hoc analyses. This position requires a balance of technical acumen and collaboration skills, focusing on process automation and enhancing data accessibility. Your contributions directly impact the college’s capacity for informed decision-making, supporting data transparency, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and strategic growth.

Compensation
ACE is committed to paying a competitive wage while staying true to our mission of maintaining high quality, affordable programs for our students. The starting salary range for this position is $80,000 plus all full-time employees are eligible for an annual bonus. Offers vary depending on education, prior experience, and expertise being applied to the role.

What We Look for in the Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrates self-reliance by meeting/exceeding workflow needs. 
• Demonstrates positive attitude and motivation, concern for students, teamwork, and excellent time management skills. 
• Follows established processes as outlined by organization and leadership. 
• Completes assigned duties based on daily business needs and individual skill set. 
• Consistently produces a high volume of quality work. 
• Capable, and adapts as needed, to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. 
• Proven ability to work independently with limited supervision and with other department personnel. 
• Must support and embrace the College’s B Corp mission to improve the people and communities we serve through our civic engagement initiatives.  
• Must have exceptional communication, organization, and time management skills. 
• Must be "self-motivated" as well as creative and efficient in proposing solutions to complex, time-critical problems. 
• Must be collaborative in driving decisions and a team-player. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail. 
• Builds and maintains student satisfaction. 
• Recognizes and anticipates student needs. 

Day to Day Responsibilities

In this role you will wear different hats, but your skills will be especially essential in the following areas:

• Data Collection and Analysis: Gather, analyze, and interpret data from diverse sources to inform strategic planning, enhance departmental reporting, drive institutional improvements, and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Compliance and Reporting: Lead the data gathering and completion of external compliance reports (e.g., IPEDS, HLC, NC-SARA, state, partnerships) and surveys (e.g., U.S. News), ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
• Data Visualization and Reporting: Prepare clear, user-friendly data visualizations and summaries for presentations, reports, and dashboards using PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Power BI.
• Technical Skill: Leverage advanced Excel functions (e.g., pivot tables, conditional formatting, complex formulas), SQL proficiency, and Power BI ability to gather and conduct data analysis work.
• Collaboration: Serve as contact for data requests, partnering with requestors to define scope, develop project plans, and ensure effective project delivery.
• Data Quality Assurance: Perform thorough validation and quality checks to ensure data accuracy, completeness, and integrity, proactively identifying and resolving anomalies.
• Data Governance: Help develop and maintain a data dictionary, standardized data definitions, and operating procedures to ensure data consistency and quality.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Business, Analytics, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).

• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in institutional research, data analysis, or business intelligence, ideally in a higher education setting.
• Technical Skills:
• Excel: Advanced proficiency in Excel for data analysis and visualization.
• SQL: Skilled in writing and troubleshooting SQL queries is preferred or willing to learn.
• Data Visualization: Experience with Power BI for data visualization is preferred or willing to learn.
• Compliance Knowledge: Familiar with compliance and survey reporting requirements (e.g., IPEDS, HLC, NC-SARA, US News).
• Project Management: Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to Detail: Demonstrated focus on accuracy, reliability, and maintaining data integrity.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, translating complex data insights for diverse audiences.
• Collaboration: Effective team player who can also work independently and is adaptable to changing project demands.
• Data Privacy and Compliance: Skilled in handling sensitive information in compliance with FERPA and other state and federal data regulations.

Our Commitment to Employees

Just as we strive to empower our students for success, we also aim to enrich the lives of our employees. For 6 consecutive years, ACE was recognized as one of Indiana’s Best Places to Work, winning the #1 spot for medium-sized companies in 2020. In addition, ACE has earned national recognition, being named a USA Top Workplace in 2022, 2023 and 2024. As a virtual first organization, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a family-like inclusive work environment. For our full-time employees, we offer the following benefits: 

• Medical, dental, & vision Insurance 
• HSA and FSA options 
• Paid parental leave 
• Paid volunteer time 
• Tuition reimbursement & reduction programs 
• Generous PTO  
• 401k and employer match 
• Full-service wellness and EAP program 
• Employee recognition and awards programs 
• Employer paid life & AD&D insurance 
• Short-term disability 
• Employer paid long-term disability 
• And more…

Physical Demands
The physical demand described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with and receive communications from students and ACE employees in real time using online and other electronic media.

Diversity

At American College of Education, we believe that the best learning environment for students and staff is one in which we encounter viewpoints and experiences that are different, yet complementary to ours. This environment is fostered by the presence of persons with diverse backgrounds.  We recognize that acknowledging diversity is a necessary precondition, but sustained effort is necessary to ensure equity and greater inclusion.  Through strategic planning and initiatives, we seek to develop programs that promote equity and inclusion for everyone so that all members of ACE’s community can reach their full potential. To create and maintain a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive learning community, we strive to make all feel equally valued, and we uphold our Commitment to Freedom of Expression.  We may celebrate diversity, but we “live” inclusion.

Additional Notes

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Employees are increasingly integrating AI into their roles, demonstrating its potential to boost efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. By utilizing AI technologies, we can streamline processes, gain valuable insights from data, and automate routine tasks, which allows employees to concentrate on more strategic and creative aspects of their work. While AI is a beneficial tool in the workplace, if its use—such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, Copy.ai, etc.—accounts for more than 50% of any work assignments or job responsibilities, it will need to be reported to a direct leader.

Internet bandwidth speeds from an employee's remote work location must be a minimum of 50Mbps download speeds and 5Mbps upload speeds. Please note if the bandwidth is shared across multiple devices (tablets, computer, streaming, phone, etc.) you will need higher overall speeds. You can test the speed of your connection by visiting speedtest.net Purchase, setup, installation, support, and ongoing maintenance of reliable internet service is the responsibility of the individual.  

American College of Education seeks to attract and retain a diverse staff consistent with its diverse student body and surrounding communities. At this time we cannot consider candidates residing in Alaska, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, South Dakota, or Alabama.

ACE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.