Analysis and Planning Consultant

Summary

Job Category:
Analysis and Planning
Job Title:
Analysis and Planning Consultant
Job Category Definition:
This job category provides internal and external data analysis and management for analyzing organizational performance, business modeling, strategic planning, quality initiatives and general business operations.
Job Title Definition:
The Analysis and Planning Consultant provides analysis and consulting services to internal and external clients including compiling and analyzing data from multiple sources and developing summaries, reports and recommendations on a wide variety of topics including strategic planning, quality improvement, performance measurement and budget planning; partners with and assists clients in identifying strategic priorities, developing strategic plans, goals and objectives, designing new initiatives and projects and in determining the effectiveness of strategic and operational plans and decision making; provides assistance and/or direction in selecting and applying appropriate analytical methodologies to resolve a wide range of strategic and operational issues; monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of systems, policies, processes and practices and recommend changes to improve organizational performance.  Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
 

Levels

Level 1  

There is currently no Level 1.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ADAP0202 I Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas/applications by continuously building on current job knowledge; maintain effective relationships with peers, vendors, and others in a diverse environment; support team decisions and follow through with team responsibilities; interpret information, ideas and instructions and communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; determine causes of unusual occurrences and apply standard principles and practices to determine and implement solutions; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under general supervision, while performing assignments that are varied and that may be somewhat difficult in character, but usually involve limited responsibility.

Typical Education & Experience

2+ years of related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Contribute to the design, collection, retrieval, analysis, and interpretation of business performance and related data in support of client initiatives or projects
  • Meet and collaborate with clients to collect data and establish an understanding of their information and planning needs
  • Contribute to the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data findings from sources such as surveys, financial reports, and databases to aid in decision making processes
  • Provide consultation and recommendations on topics such as business performance, project planning, strategic planning, and/or budget planning
  • Provide support and guidance to clients in interpreting and utilizing the data and reports generated; determine the impact on proposed programs and develop viable alternatives and strategies
  • Develop summaries, reports, and recommendations related to topics such as cost analysis, strategic planning, business optimization, performance measurement, and budget planning
  • Identify key performance indicators and metrics; create analyses and reports to track progress on performance indicators
  • May develop assessment tools that align with planning objectives, such as data documents, questionnaires, and surveys
  • Provide assistance to clients in the development of analytical models and decision support systems
  • Contribute to the design of data collection and analysis plans for large studies
  • Respond to and conduct ad hoc requests for data analysis, project planning support; provide consultative services at a unit level
  • Conduct industry, market based, or higher education research to inform recommendations; identify trends and priorities
  • Develop and foster relationships with project teams, leadership, internal and external stakeholders, University planning offices, external agencies, and organizations

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ADAP0203 J Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications to integrate fundamental elements from other specialties into work assignments; apply knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization to complete difficult assignments; promote a culture that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; may lead a project team involved in completion of difficult assignments, requiring proficient knowledge of field of specialization; interpret and communicate information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; incorporate new facts and ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop new solutions; typically work with minimal supervision on difficult assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters.

Typical Education & Experience

4+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Serve as point of contact for projects or planning efforts within a unit or department; meet with clients to determine and prioritize organizational research, information, and planning needs
  • Conduct the design, analysis, reporting, interpretation, and presentation of organizational and assessment studies
  • Design data collection and analysis plans, processes, and systems; identify analytical methods based on client needs; integrate appropriate assessments
  • Interpret data findings from sources such as financial reports, surveys, databases, and institutional data systems
  • Provide data driven recommendations to leadership that affect long-range plans, project direction, program goals, assessment planning, strategic planning, and/or organizational changes
  • Identify key performance indicators and metrics that will be used throughout the unit or University planning process
  • Develop reports, data summaries, interpretations, and models that aid in decision making processes and track key performance indicators
  • Conduct benchmarking activities and research against external organizations and higher education institutions to support and influence decision making and policy creation
  • Monitor and evaluate external influences and events that may affect operational or strategic plans
  • Develop and cultivate relationships with internal and external stakeholders, leadership boards, government organizations, and industry related organizations
  • Respond to requests for ad hoc data analysis to track and report on progress; identify trends; identify improvement opportunities; gather public feedback/response
  • Participate in and provide support to strategic planning committees
  • Conduct trainings on data analysis, interpretation, and utilization
  • May delegate work to other analysts
  • May serve as lead consultant on projects or as a subject matter expert in an area of specialization that corresponds with a key objective of the organization

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ADAP0204 K Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization and complete complex assignments; integrate complex elements from other specialties into work assignments; demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity throughout the University; establish a shared vision and take responsibility for the achievement of team goals, and provide direction for appropriate implementation of plans; present ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and use persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; develop new techniques, concepts, theories, programs or solutions and apply them to complex strategic operating issues; typically work independently on complex work assignments, review progress and evaluate results and update management as appropriate; may direct and delegate work to lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

3+ years related experience

Master's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Serve as a lead consultant for the reporting and planning needs of a unit, campus, central planning offices, task forces, and senior leadership teams; meet with clients to determine and prioritize organizational research and information needs
  • Facilitate the development, design, administration, analysis, reporting, interpretation, and presentation activities in support of large, in-depth, institutional studies
  • Interpret data findings from sources such as financial reports, surveys, databases, and institutional data systems
  • Provide data driven recommendations to University leadership that effect long-range plans, project direction, program goals, assessment planning, strategic planning, and organizational changes
  • Monitor and evaluate organizational information systems, policies, and practices; recommend improvements and modifications as appropriate
  • Guide clients to identify strategic priorities and objectives; design new initiatives; determine the effectiveness of operational plans; provide direction and coaching that builds analytical capability of the unit
  • Oversee the design and implementation of data collection and analysis plans, processes, and systems; identify analytical methods based on client needs; develop and integrate appropriate assessment tools
  • Identify key performance indicators and metrics that will be used throughout planning process
  • Evaluate data sources such as government planning agencies, research institutions, publications, and national statistics
  • Research and identify trends, priorities, methods and best practices in industry or higher education sectors related to strategic planning
  • Develop and cultivate relationships with internal and external stakeholders, leadership boards, government organizations, and industry related organizations
  • May coordinate and or conduct training and workshops on strategic planning, improvement, quality, and related topics
  • May serve as a member on strategic planning committees
  • Collaborate with cross functional teams in order to execute planning efforts
  • Serve as a resource to other consultants and analysts across units; engage with analysts and consultants across the University to share best practices and common reporting needs
  • Oversee and direct the work of data analysts and lower level consultants
  • May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ADAP0205 L Exempt

Level 5 positions typically extend mastery of job knowledge to the principles, theories and practices of related specialties; expand knowledge of best practices and incorporate into all work assignments and procedures; evaluate and enhance current practices and efforts to ensure optimal support of diversity; oversee leadership of teams and projects that involve extensive cooperation and coordination between multiple departments across the University or with external customers; prepare written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on highly complex issues and deliver to a broad variety of audiences; identify and implement innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues which may involve unusual circumstances and incomplete or conflicting data; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; work independently on highly complex or strategic assignments; may direct and supervise lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

5+ years of related experience

Master's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide direction and oversight for planning and assessment offices of large units
  • Lead the design and implementation of University assessment initiatives that have University wide, strategic impact, at the request of senior leadership and executive groups
  • Lead and direct all parts of in-depth institutional studies including development, design, administration, analysis, reporting, interpretation, and presentation
  • Develop and apply advanced analysis models and predictive analytic techniques to simulate operational behavior; evaluate resource utilization and forecast the impact of change on the organization
  • Inform multi-year strategic plans as a model for the organization
  • Conduct and/or supervise the analysis of major organizational issues; design complex custom studies; prepare executive summaries; provide impact analyses and recommendations to assist executives in University wide strategic planning and decision making
  • Provide oversight, leadership, and direction for an analytics and reporting team
  • Evaluate and recommend adoption of new assessment technologies, methods, and strategies
  • Utilize assessment and planning expertise to develop standardizations for institutional reporting practices; develop creative, innovative strategies that reflect current industry trends and research
  • Develop and administer research and assessment budgets
  • Serve as a member of core management and University strategic planning committees
  • May coordinate and oversee the publication of documents related to the University’s planning and improvement initiatives
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of current University policies, procedures, and processes; identify issues and develop a course of action for recommended adjustments or modifications
  • Lead cooperation and collaboration across units and departments
  • May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.