Academic Data and Operations Specialist

Summary

Brown University is a leading research university focused on student-centered learning and undergraduate education. The Academic Data and Operations Specialist supports the College by maintaining data workflows and automation tools, analyzing and presenting data, developing operational systems, and coordinating the University-wide Course Feedback process.

Responsibilities

• The Academic Data and Operations Specialist serves as a core technical and operational resource for the College, helping to support, accelerate and streamline college processes. The incumbent reports to the College’s Chief of Staff
• This position will assist in the support of undergraduate students by helping existing college staff obtain, transform and take action on data collected through disparate data sources
• In addition to maintaining and operating existing automation tools and data workflows, the Academic Data and Operations Specialist will work closely with the Academic Data Analyst and System Engineer to identify opportunities for new systems and to design, test, and implement those systems
• The incumbent will assist the Academic Data Analyst and System Engineer in gathering, analyzing, and presenting complex data to support proactive decision-making by the College’s leadership and divisional staff. This will include both fulfilling requests from the Dean of the College and other College staff members as well as proactively identifying areas where analysis can help the College make better decisions. This work will cover both one-time exploratory analyses around key decisions as well as the creation and maintenance of long-term tracking dashboards and reports
• Additionally, the Specialist coordinates the operational workflows of the University-wide Course Feedback process and manages its technical system. The incumbent also actively participates in the administrative life of the College, participating in team and divisional meetings, as well as committees and ad hoc working groups
• Workflow Automation
• Gather, Analyze, and Present Data
• Implement and Test Algorithmic Solutions
• Coordinate Course Feedback Processes
• Operational support

Skills

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a highly technical computational discipline; and 1–2 years of related work experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Experience with google sheets or excel formulas and automations
• Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools such as Tableau or Cognos Analytics
• Familiarity with at least one programming language and an interest in growing software development and data analytics skills
• Strong collaborative skills, with an ability to manage multiple deliverables independently under general supervision
• Ability to apply algorithmic logic (e.g., optimization models, graph theory) to operational data challenges
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust with faculty and partners across academic units. Customer-focused, and customer service oriented
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex operational or logistical challenges using independent judgment and discretion where solutions are not clearly prescribed
• Ability to use judgment and discretion and maintain confidentiality with sensitive personal information
• Demonstrated ability to design clear data visualizations and translate complex technical metrics for non-technical stakeholders
• Proficiency with programmatic data analysis (e.g., Python/Pandas) and database queries via SQL
• Experience using Google Apps Script or similar tools to automate office workflows

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a highly technical computational discipline; and 1–2 years of related work experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Experience with google sheets or excel formulas and automations
• Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools such as Tableau or Cognos Analytics
• Familiarity with at least one programming language and an interest in growing software development and data analytics skills
• Strong collaborative skills, with an ability to manage multiple deliverables independently under general supervision
• Ability to apply algorithmic logic (e.g., optimization models, graph theory) to operational data challenges
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust with faculty and partners across academic units. Customer-focused, and customer service oriented
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex operational or logistical challenges using independent judgment and discretion where solutions are not clearly prescribed
• Ability to use judgment and discretion and maintain confidentiality with sensitive personal information
• Demonstrated ability to design clear data visualizations and translate complex technical metrics for non-technical stakeholders

Nice to Haves

• Proficiency with programmatic data analysis (e.g., Python/Pandas) and database queries via SQL
• Experience using Google Apps Script or similar tools to automate office workflows

Benefits

• Flexible work/life balance
• Summer hours
• Winter break
• Time off
• Annual paid holidays
• Health benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Tuition assistance
• Retirement benefits
• Wellness benefits
• Employee discounts
• Hybrid work arrangement