The Office of Data & Strategic Analytics (ODSA) provides the university with accurate, timely data and analysis to support planning, decision-making, and compliance. The Senior Institutional Research Analyst's primary function is completing federal, state, and national surveys and supporting compliance reporting, including maintaining and modifying the programs that produce the data. The analyst interprets reporting definitions, locates and validates the appropriate data, coordinates with campus offices, and submits results. As a secondary function, the analyst supports ad hoc data requests assigned by the Director of Data Management and maintains the office website and its accessibility.

Primary: Prepare reports and respond to surveys from state and federal agencies, national organizations, university data exchanges, and campus administrators, interpreting survey definitions, and tracking changes in reporting requirements. Coordinate with campus offices to obtain, validate, and reconcile data, and maintain survey documentation and the reporting calendar. Compile, analyze, and present data on students, personnel, and finance, including peer comparisons for senior university leadership. Research on assigned reporting projects. (35%)

Primary: Modify, maintain, and develop programs and queries that generate survey and compliance reporting data. Extract, transform, and validate data from Workday and legacy systems. Automate recurring reporting processes, troubleshoot discrepancies, and assist institutional research leadership in troubleshooting and revising reporting programs. (30%)

Secondary: Develop programs and queries to fulfill ad hoc data requests from the Data Management team, as coordinated between the Director of Data Management and the Director of Institutional Research. Build reusable queries and standard extracts for recurring requests. (20%)

Secondary: Maintain the office website, including statistical tables and published reports. Ensure web content, documents, and dashboards meet current federal and university accessibility standards, and serve as liaison with university web staff. (10%)

Perform other duties as assigned by institutional research leadership. (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, data science, information systems, economics, social sciences, or related field

3 years of experience in data analysis or institutional research, including experience writing SQL and/or SAS

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree and 5 years of experience

Experience with IPEDS or other federal and state reporting; experience with higher education student, HR, or finance data systems and experience writing SQL and/or SAS

Since its founding in June 2023, the Office of Data & Strategic Analytics has grown into a central hub for fostering a strong data-informed culture at LSU. Our work spans the entire journey of institutional data, from governing and validating to analyzing and applying it, to ensure the university’s information assets are accurate, accessible, and strategically applied to advance LSU’s mission. 

ODSA is built on two complementary units: 

• Data & Institutional Research ensures the integrity, security, and accessibility of institutional data while delivering key reports and analytics that inform policy, compliance, and strategic initiatives.
• Strategic Analytics applies advanced methodologies, including AI and predictive modeling, to uncover insights that support decision-making, optimize operations, and improve student and institutional outcomes.

Since our establishment, we have expanded our capabilities by implementing robust data governance practices, enhancing data accessibility, introducing dynamic dashboards, and fostering a culture of collaboration across campus. These efforts have positioned ODSA as a trusted partner to leaders, faculty, and staff who rely on timely, accurate, and actionable information.