SUMMARY:

This position is a 2-year fixed-term position with a possibility of extension.

IRDS (Institutional Research & Decision Support) is looking for a Business Analyst to help analyze, define, and shape future enhancements to SIRIS (Student Integrated Reporting and Information System), a tool designed to improve student reporting and analytics capabilities at Stanford University. This position is a business/systems analyst role focused on:

• Working one-on-one with campus users to understand their needs and collaboratively find solutions to information challenges
• Requirements gathering, process and data modeling, system testing
• Report building, dashboards, and information delivery

This role is an opportunity to make a difference in supporting the teaching mission of the university by providing decision-makers and front-line staff with the information, understanding and analysis they need. The Business Analyst will support staff in the departments and schools by helping them find the information they need to accomplish their roles.

Under limited supervision, the business analyst will gather business requirements, perform data/gap analysis, and support end users in the context of SIRIS (including an understanding of the data flows from source systems, and real-world use cases). Collaborate with other members of the SIRIS team to document user needs, design reports and dashboards, and specify enhancements to the system.

Ensure the uniformity, accuracy, and semantic consistency of the data by applying effective data management, security, stewardship, and governance processes.

CORE DUTIES:

• Help staff across the university understand where information resides and how to use it.
• Define and document business requirements and test cases for Student Information reporting. May include the writing of all or a portion of functional specifications.
• Facilitate working sessions with central and distributed end users and management to identify and document user needs, existing and new reports, processes, procedures and operational methods to consider possible improvements to new and existing systems.
• Analyze data and provide data sets to users for analysis; develop operational and analytical reports for end users.
• Troubleshoot SIRIS business intelligence environment issues and identify opportunities for improvement. File error tickets and coordinate with development team to resolve application bottlenecks and performance issues.
• Communicate and maintain security and data governance standards across new reporting requirements.
• Participate in user acceptance testing of new BI analysis and reporting systems, upgrades, enhancements and change requests; plan, conduct and document results of testing.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. Experience in a quantitative discipline such as economics, finance, statistics or engineering. Experience with student data and/or experience in higher education strongly desired.
• This position requires both the ability to work with university stakeholders and technical competence. Experience in the use of information to solve problems required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong business analysis skills, including gathering requirements, running focus groups, developing specifications, developing documentation, and vetting requirements with end-users using a variety of techniques.
• Experience with university administrative systems and knowledge of higher education administrative processes. Knowledge of Stanford University information systems, and administrative processes and data preferred.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including ability to engage stakeholders, prepare materials, and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal audiences and client groups.
• Experience in business process analysis skills, including the ability to develop models of user interaction and opportunities for optimization from user interviews, as well as mapping those into system requirements. Experience with relational and dimensional logical data modeling.
• Experience in data analysis and root cause analysis. Proven problem solving and analytical thinking capabilities.
• Ability to understand and apply the software development lifecycle and project management techniques.
• Experience with Oracle, SLATE and/or PeopleSoft enterprise applications and data warehousing systems.
• Knowledge and ability using MS Office; analytical and business intelligence programs such as OBIEE, business objects, Informatica, Tableau, SQL etc.
• Background and experience in working with complex data sets and business rules associated with report analysis and design.
• Experience with the application of User Interface and User Experience best practices.
• Ability to work efficiently in a team environment with many different priorities and clients, communicating when necessary and pitching in when needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently sit, grasp lightly/fine manipulation.
• Occasionally stand/walk, use a telephone.
• Rarely writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

* - 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 the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Routine extended working hours during peak cycles; travel to school/unit sites across university.

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.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich 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 auditing 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!

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.

Stanford is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

Schedule: Full-time
Job Code: 4738
Employee Status: Fixed-Term
Grade: J
Requisition ID: 85715