Associate Data Analyst

Competitive Compensation & Benefits Package * 401(k) with Profit Sharing * Flexible Time Off * Office Dog!!

ABOUT US

By combining our unparalleled domain expertise with leading-edge technology, Ad Astra is helping higher education in its mission to advance timely student completions. We are building a cloud-based software platform that will provide the foundation for our next generation of industry-leading solutions and analytics. Simply put, we're helping students graduate faster.

OUR CORE VALUES

• We recognize talent. We recognize and appreciate the unique God-given talents that our people bring to Ad Astra. Aligning these individual gifts with our work sets team members up to succeed.
• We’re unpretentious. There’s no room for ego. We admit our imperfections and have the humility to know what we don’t know.
• We’re passionate. We aren’t satisfied with the status quo. We’re on a mission together to protect the value of degree completion and to transform the higher education industry.
• We’re pioneering. We’re pioneering and aren’t afraid of failing-in fact, we celebrate it. We love it when our people boldly experiment with innovative solutions.
• We love fun. The health of our relationships is strengthened by working with people who stretch our thinking-and by enjoying the lighter side of life together. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we do take fun seriously.
• We have grit. Beyond talent and intelligence, our people have stick-to-itiveness. We push through challenges to make goals a reality.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Data Analyst supports the Insights function within Ad Astra’s Insights and Advisory Services organization, contributing to the analytical products, data models, and evidence base that support client engagements across the organization’s service lanes. This is an entry-level analytical role focused on analysis and research support, data quality review, and the translation of data into clear, usable insights for campus decision makers.

Reporting to the VP of Value and Insights, the Data Analyst prepares analyses, reviews data for quality and anomalies, and produces reporting and visualizations that help institutions understand their scheduling, enrollment, and student success data. While the Insights function is the primary home of this role, the Data Analyst is expected to provide broad analytical support across Insights and Advisory Services, contributing to consulting engagements, benchmarking cohorts, technical assistance, and strategic advisory work as needs arise. The Data Analyst develops technical and conceptual skills over time under the mentorship of senior team members.

This position supports critical analysis of client data in support of scheduling and planning initiatives. The Data Analyst will become familiar with the types of data stored in student information systems and how Ad Astra consumes and processes that information. The person in this role is curious, detail-oriented, and resourceful in collaborating with colleagues to create reports, analyses, dashboards, and solutions, and applies a developing understanding of the role of analytics in supporting student success and degree velocity. This position will also utilize AI to streamline the assessment, validation, and creation of deliverables where possible. The ability to develop strong working relationships with other Ad Astra team members and a genuine enthusiasm for this work will be key to success in the role.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare analyses, reports, and data visualizations that support Ad Astra consulting and Insights engagements, working under the direction of the Vice President and senior team members.
• Review and validate client data for quality, completeness, and anomalies, flagging business process differences or data issues that may require adjustment before analysis proceeds.
• Translate data into clear, accurate insights and summaries that non-technical audiences can understand and act on.
• Design and build reporting, dashboards, and solutions that support data-informed decision making, using tools such as Amazon QuickSight, Tableau, or similar platforms.
• Use SQL to perform data extraction and querying, data manipulation and aggregation, data cleaning and preparation, data structuring, and automation.
• Conduct pre- and post-analysis validation to help ensure results are accurate, valid, and reliable for client engagements.
• Provide broad analytical support across Insights and Advisory Services, contributing to consulting engagements, benchmarking cohorts, technical assistance, and advisory work as needs arise.
• Follow the team’s standards for analytical rigor and reproducibility, including hypothesis and pre-analysis documentation, peer review, version control, and archiving of code and source data.
• Systematically organize and archive raw data, analyses, and deliverables so that work is documented, reproducible, and transferable.
• Provide data entry support as needed, especially as it relates to pathways data.
• Utilize AI, where possible, to streamline and improve data assessment and deliverable completion.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Value and Insights, Consulting, Development and Product, and other teams to develop new reports and data visualizations.
• Support the accurate import and interpretation of client data for consulting engagements, coordinating with clients and the Onboarding/Support team as questions arise.
• Develop working knowledge of student and institution data over time to provide increasingly independent analytical support.
• Seek guidance and feedback proactively and grow technical and conceptual capability through mentorship and stretch assignments.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, statistics, data analytics, or a related academic field
• 0-2 years of experience in data analysis or a related field, including relevant internship, academic project, or coursework experience
• Demonstrated ability to work with data in a structured, accurate, and detail-oriented way
• Ability to communicate analytical findings clearly, both in writing and verbally
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Excel (vlookups, pivot tables, if-then statements, etc.)
• Curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn new tools, methods, and domain knowledge
• Ability to manage time across multiple tasks and follow through on commitments

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES

• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Planning and Organization
• Communication
• Collaborative Communication
• Initiative
• Time Management
• Curiosity and Learning Agility
• Data Quality Judgment

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience or coursework in the field of Higher Education
• Previous experience and deep knowledge of SQL and relational databases
• Experience developing reports and visualizations with tools such as Amazon QuickSight, Tableau, Sisense, or Crystal Reports
• Exposure to statistical methods or predictive modeling through coursework or applied projects
• Self-motivated to anticipate clarification needed and seek solutions to problems with appropriate guidance

HOW PERFORMANCE IS MEASURED FOR THIS ROLE

• Accuracy, completeness, and on-time delivery of assigned analytical work products, with errors and rework tracked and trending down as experience grows.
• Reliability of data quality review, evidenced by anomalies and issues identified before they reach analysis or clients.
• Clarity and usability of reports, visualizations, and summaries produced for internal and client audiences.
• Consistent application of the team’s rigor and documentation standards to assigned work.
• Demonstrated growth in technical skill, domain knowledge, and independence over time.
• Responsiveness, collaboration, and contribution of analytical support across service lanes beyond Insights.

This position is in Overland Park, KS in the greater Kansas City metro area. Ad Astra does not cover relocation expenses.

Ad Astra is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and fairness-regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, political affiliation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Ad Astra is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position.