Data Analyst III - Student Financial Services

Join Nova Southeastern University!Nova Southeastern University (NSU) was founded in 1964, and is a not-for-profit, independent university with a reputation for academic excellence and innovation. Nova Southeastern University offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including tuition waiver, retirement plan, excellent medical and dental plans and much more. NSU cares about the health and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors and is a tobacco-free university.We appreciate your support in making NSU the preeminent place to live, work, study and grow. Thank you for your interest in a career with Nova Southeastern University.Primary PurposeProvides strategic and analytical support across Financial Aid and Bursar operations by identifying, analyzing, and interpreting institutional data. This role evaluates trends, identifies opportunities for process improvement, and supports data-driven strategies that enhance student success, optimize enrollment outcomes, strengthen financial performance, and mitigate institutional risk.Job Category:ExemptEssential Job Functions:1. Collects, validates, and performs advanced analysis of data across Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and related areas to support strategic decision-making, enrollment management, and student success outcomes. 2. Identifies trends in financial aid, student financial behavior, and receivables to evaluate impacts on retention, persistence, and institutional revenue. 3. Designs, develops, and maintains complex reports, dashboards, and data models to monitor key performance indicators and inform operational and strategic initiatives. 4. Partners with Financial Aid, Bursar, Enrollment Management, Institutional Research, Finance, and IT to align analytics with institutional priorities. 5. Ensures data integrity, consistency, and governance across systems, supporting audit, compliance, and regulatory reporting requirements. 6. Supports the development and implementation of data-driven strategies to minimize bad debt, optimize financial aid distribution, and improve student financial outcomes. 7. Analyzes student populations and cohorts to identify trends and characteristics associated with student success, persistence, and financial stability, providing insights to inform institutional strategies. 8. Collaborates with cross-functional teams and participates in institutional committees and initiatives to support data collection, analysis, and reporting efforts. 9. Contributes to the design and refinement of data collection methodologies, reporting frameworks, and performance metrics to enhance decision-making and operational effectiveness. 10. Translates findings into actionable insights and presents clear, data-driven recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders. 11. Collaborates with cross-functional teams and participates in institutional committees and initiatives to support data collection, analysis, and reporting efforts. 12. Designs data collection approaches, including sampling methods and sample size determination, to ensure valid and reliable analysis. 13. Identifies operational inefficiencies and financial risks, including revenue leakage and bad debt, and develops data-driven solutions to improve performance, optimize aid distribution, and enhance student financial outcomes. 14. Supports data governance, audit, and compliance activities by preparing, validating, and documenting data, while promoting data integrity and continuous improvement. 15. Contributes to the development and documentation of processes, procedures, and data governance practices to enhance operational consistency and continuous improvement. 16. Stays current on emerging trends, technologies, and regulatory requirements impacting data analytics and student financial services. 17. Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned or required.Job RequirementsRequired Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:Knowledge: 1. Higher Education Student Financial Services – Working knowledge of financial aid, student accounts, bursar operations, enrollment management, and the student financial lifecycle within a higher education environment, including the interdependencies between these areas. 2. Financial Aid Regulations and Compliance – Working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, reporting requirements, and compliance considerations impacting data interpretation and decision-making. 3. Data Analysis and Interpretation – Working knowledge of data analysis methodologies, statistical concepts, and the ability to interpret complex data sets to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights. 4. Data Systems and Reporting Tools – Working knowledge of student information systems (e.g., Banner), databases, reporting tools, and data visualization platforms used to extract, manipulate, and present data. 5. Data Governance and Integrity – Working knowledge of data validation practices, data quality standards, and controls necessary to maintain accurate, consistent, and reliable data across systems. 6. Business and Financial Acumen – Working knowledge of financial principles, revenue drivers, receivables management, and factors impacting institutional fiscal health, including bad debt and aid optimization. 7. Process Improvement and Operational Efficiency – Working knowledge of process evaluation techniques and continuous improvement methodologies to identify inefficiencies and recommend enhancements. 8. Customer and Student-Centered Service – Working knowledge of principles and processes for delivering services that support student success, satisfaction, and retention. 9. Computers and Electronics – Working knowledge of computer hardware and software, including advanced use of spreadsheets, data tools, and reporting applications. 10. English Language – General knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including grammar, composition, and effective communication. 11. Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).Skills: 1. Analytical Thinking – Proficient skills in analyzing complex data sets and identifying trends, patterns, and relationships that inform strategic decision-making. 2. Complex Problem Solving – Proficient skills in identifying operational challenges, reviewing data, and developing data-driven solutions. 3. Critical Thinking – Proficient skills in evaluating information, identifying risks or opportunities, and supporting sound decision-making. 4. Data Interpretation and Visualization – Proficient skills in translating data into meaningful insights and presenting findings through reports, dashboards, and visual tools. 5. Communication – Proficient skills in effectively conveying complex information to a variety of audiences, including leadership and cross-functional teams. 6. Time Management – Proficient skills in managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects in a dynamic environment. 7. Active Learning – Proficient skills in understanding and applying new information, tools, and methodologies to evolving institutional needs. 8. Judgment and Decision Making – Proficient skills in considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and recommending appropriate solutions. 9. Collaboration – Proficient skills in working effectively across departments to align data insights with institutional goals.Abilities: 1. Information Ordering – The ability to organize, structure, and synthesize data in a logical and meaningful manner. 2. Deductive Reasoning – The ability to apply general rules to specific data sets to draw accurate conclusions and identify trends. 3. Problem Sensitivity – The ability to recognize when processes, data, or outcomes are not aligned with expectations and require further investigation. 4. Inductive Reasoning – The ability to combine pieces of information to form general conclusions or identify patterns. 5. Oral Expression – The ability to communicate information and ideas clearly so others can understand. 6. Written Expression – The ability to communicate information and ideas effectively in writing for a variety of audiences. 7. Selective Attention – The ability to concentrate on tasks over time without being distracted, especially when working with detailed data. 8. Systems Evaluation – The ability to identify measures or indicators of system performance and determine actions needed to improve or correct performance.Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: 1. Near Vision - Must be able to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). 2. Speech Recognition - Must be able to identify and understand the speech of another person. 3. Speech Clarity - Must be able to speak clearly so others can understand you. 4. May be required to work nights or weekends. 5. May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties. 6. May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies, to include but not limited to pens, pencils, and computer keyboards.Required Certifications/Licensures:Required Education: Bachelor's degreeMajor (if required):Required Experience:1. Four (4) to six (6) years' experience in data collection, analysis and reporting. 2. Experience analyzing and interpreting complex datasets to identify trends and support data-driven decision-making. 3. Experience using reporting tools, spreadsheets, and data systems to extract, manipulate, and present data.Preferred Qualifications:1. Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, or closely related field. 2. Experience working in student financial services functions (Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Bursar, Enrollment Management) or related areas. 3. Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to support operational and strategic initiatives.Is this a safety sensitive position?NoBackground Screening Required?YesPre-Employment Conditions:Sensitivity Disclaimer: Nova Southeastern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.NSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for Nova Southeastern University