Strategic Initiatives Analyst (Fixed-Term)

To apply for this position, please include a resume and cover letter with your application. This is a fixed-term position for a period of three years. Unit Description: Institutional Research & Decision Support (IR&DS) is a team of data professionals who provide analysis and reporting to guide university decision-making. IR&DS's mission is to facilitate institutional decision making at Stanford University by: * Providing integrated analysis and research needed by University decision makers * Publishing reports that provide insight into the performance of the institution. * Assessing and evaluating Stanford's academic and co-curricular support programs * Building data collections and facilitating access to data, including providing training and tools * Disseminating and facilitating best practices in the collection, use, and interpretation of data * Advocating for data quality and integrity Position Summary: The Strategic Initiatives Analyst will conduct research, create documentation, and manage projects in support of Stanford's mission. The topics of research may include student financial aid, student outcomes, and institutional reporting. Major assignments for this role include project management of IR&DS initiatives, stakeholder communications, and the creation of documentation. This position will take on a diverse mix of tasks and assignments, requiring the ability to manage a complex portfolio. This position reports to the Associate Vice Provost and Director of IR&DS with a dotted line relationship to the Director of Institutional Research. We are looking for candidates with a strong foundation in data analysis, excellent written and oral communication skills and experience with project management. We're seeking a data-literate professional who wants to grow their career in strategic communications, documentation, and project management. You'll leverage your analytical background to accomplish a mix of assignments, including translating complex data into compelling narratives and managing cross-functional initiatives. The Strategic Initiatives Analyst will lead IR&DS initiatives and will be responsible for communicating research findings through written reports and preparing presentations to faculty, staff, and administrators. The analyst will also create documentation of data sources, definitions, appropriate use policies, and research processes within IR&DS. The Strategic Initiatives Analyst will collect, monitor, and analyze information regarding financial aid, university policies, student data, and institutional outcomes, yielding actionable information to guide decisions across the University. In this role, you will: * Answer questions by developing research methodology, gathering data and/or using appropriate statistical techniques on available data. * Communicate, convey, and visualize informed conclusions and recommendations across an organization's leadership structure in a manner that "tells the story" behind the data and influences how the organization approaches the challenge. * Create written summaries and/or presentations on assigned research for senior leaders, faculty, and administrators, with opportunities to interact with a variety of university stakeholders. * Collaborate with other organizations to gather data. Proactively seek and locate data, including outside benchmarks or comparative data. * Perform the full range of project management cycle on IR&DS initiatives: planning, executing, monitoring, and closing. Communicate with project stakeholders and team members. * Facilitate discussions and negotiations to drive recommendation consensus within scope of responsibility. Working across teams within IR&DS, you will forge agreements on timelines and approach for cross-team efforts. * Develop and help execute comprehensive change management strategies and communication plans for IR&DS initiatives. Note: Not all unique aspects of the job are covered by this job description To be successful in this role you will bring: * Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and four years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience solving analytical problems using quantitative approaches. * An advanced degree in the social sciences, education, statistics, or a related field is preferred. * Extensive experience in and strong passion for empirical research and answering hard questions with data. * Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing written reports and delivering presentations to non-technical and leadership audiences. * Experience managing data, analyzing, and reporting on large data sets. * Familiarity and experience with intermediate statistical methods; proficiency with statistical tools such as STATA, R, SPSS, or similar tools. * Ability to tell stories with data using data visualization software such as Tableau, R, or similar software in conjunction with strong written and verbal ability. * Familiarity and experience with using AI tools to improve data analysis, reporting, project management, or day-to-day tasks preferred. * Flexible analytical approach allowing for results at varying levels of precision. * Familiarity with strategic planning concepts. * Excellent project management skills. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US to be considered for this position. Certifications and Licenses: None PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*: * Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks. * Frequently sit, sort, file paperwork or parts, grasp lightly, and use fine manipulation, lift, carry, push and pull objects that weigh 10 pounds or less. * Occasionally write by hand, twist, bend, stoop and squat. * Rarely stand, walk, reach or work above shoulders and use a telephone. * - 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: * May work extended hours during peak business cycles. 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, 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 audit 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 The expected pay range for this position is $131,105- $150,622 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs. At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process. Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form. 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 employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Additional Information * Schedule: Full-time * Job Code: 4748 * Employee Status: Fixed-Term * Grade: J * Requisition ID: 108844 * Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible