Data Scientist

Classification Title:

Data Management Analyst III

Job Description:

The Data Scientist with customer solutions analytics and insights will oversee and participate in the creation of advanced analytics and machine learning models that will benefit the needs of the organization. Reporting to the Executive Director of Data Services, this position is a key member of the CRM implementation project team and provides critical input for the overall design of CRM applications and mapping client business requirements to systems/technical requirements. Additionally, the incumbent will lead the team from raw data to actionable insights by finding ways to embed learnings into the decision ecosystems of our stakeholders. Remote work options available.

Role and Responsibilities:

Data Analysis

• Leverage AI and statistical techniques to build models that drive business decisions.
• Develop statistical and machine learning models using modern algorithms and techniques such as regression, classification, and unsupervised learning.
• Perform statistical model assumptions' tests for soundness of model theory.
• Develop forecasting models for various aspects of fundraising and identify the causes of variance in monthly forecasts.
• Drive changes to the forecast that will enhance the forecast accuracy according to either trends in both internal and external data or improved algorithms.
• Conduct complex quantitative analysis as it applies to areas of fundraising, including portfolio optimization, lead identification, and next-step recommendations.
• Create machine learning algorithms for improving data quality in the CRM.
• Partner closely with internal and external business stakeholders to identify and unlock opportunities and to improve platform capabilities around data modeling, testing, and data visualization.
• Collaborate with CRM team to leveraging statistical and machine learning to measure and project a user's engagement with the CRM platform across many KPI's.
• Research and develop analyses and forecasting and optimization methods related to end user behavioral modeling and live experiments.

Data Collection & Preparation

• Gather and prepare both structured and unstructured data for use in feasibility studies, predictive models, and general reports.
• Create data pipelines for curating sets of features and variables for analysis.
• Develop mastery of constituent segmentation strategies, fundraiser performance statistics, and prospect data retrieval and analysis in order to collect meaningful descriptive and behavioral data and transform it to appropriate and usable datasets for a variety of purposes.
• As a subject matter expert on internal/external data sources, ensure anomalies/bugs are escalated and if needed workarounds develop, ensure the data is as clean as possible, as these KPI's will become the source of truth for various groups.
• Define and manage data-related resource needs, auditing best practices among peer institutions and working with other staff to realize information management and reporting objectives.
• Identify opportunities to leverage data and create actionable insights through advanced analytics and statistics.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis to understand patterns in the data and prepare it for further analysis.

Design, Testing, & Implementation

• Participate in business decisions using machine learning, from initial data exploration and proof of concept, to deploying repeatable solutions to guide daily business decisions.
• Collaborate with the appropriate stakeholders to define requirements for AI platforms, including those available within the ascend CRM.
• Facilitate the development of objectives by selecting and employing the appropriate SDLC methodologies, and gathering business requirements relevant to Machine Learning.
• Employ best practices to test and evaluate algorithms within an ethical framework before implementation.
• Execute best practices in version control and continuous integration / continuous delivery of deployed solutions.
• Operationalize and monitor ML models using high end tools and technologies.
• Automate findings for stakeholders to consume the results of statistical and machine learning models in ascend and Tableau CRM visualizations.
• Unify Machine Learning (ML) systems development and ML systems deployment to standardize and streamline the continuous delivery of high-performing models in production.
  
  

Data Visualization & Communication

• Prototype and demonstrate solutions for clients in customer environments.
• Explain model behavior/results to both Technical and Non-Technical Audiences.
• Build relationships and communicate with senior leadership and strategic partners to report analytical findings and projections on forecasting.
• Provide forecast guidance/mitigation options to leaders to support achieving annual cost reduction and fundraising goals.
• Make business recommendations with effective presentations of findings at multiple levels of stakeholders through visual displays of quantitative information.
• Design and update data visualization software projects in Cognos, ascend, and/or Tableau CRM to include data needed for end users.
• Understand advancement information systems including software and business best practice resources in order to develop and present informed analytical and statistical reports.
• Develop reports through products like Salesforce ascend, Cognos, Tableau, and PL/SQL Developer.
  
  

Data Governance & Collaboration

• Assist in the development and execution of an AI/Data governance framework, with a focus on ensuring that AI technologies are well researched and developed.
• Help administer and work within an AI code of Ethics to tackle issues such as Privacy, Discrimination, Data Ethics, and promote Responsible Innovation.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert on the Reporting & Analytics Implementation Team.
• Collaborate with Data Services staff and other key stakeholders in a fast-paced cross-functional and diverse environment.
• Stay current on new products and relevant industry trends in the field of ML
• Brainstorm analytics ideas with business teams and other data staff that enable daily business decisions.

Expected Salary:

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Minimum Requirements:

Master’s degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess:

• 3+ years of professional experience with at least one analytics programming language such as Python or R.
• Ability to write clean and functional code and work with data frames like pandas or NumPy in Python or data table in R.
• 1+ years of experience with Salesforce, Tableau, and/or other analytics and visualization tools.
• Working experience applying data analysis, ML or statistical models to solve real world business problems and can communicate the impact of the work to various stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in program development and execution.
• Strong project management and time management skills; ability to handle multiple projects with critical deadlines and changing priorities simultaneously and accurately.
• Exceptional analytical skills to synthesize a high volume of information from a variety of sources and perform complex analysis to produce reports that are usable and actionable to a variety of fundraising professionals.
• Proficiency with Advance (or comparable alumni/donor database) and thorough understanding of the reports produced by and for fundraising purposes.
• Database reporting experience in an Oracle SQL environment using PL/SQL Developer or a similar tool.
• Experience developing reports in business intelligence tools, such as Cognos or Tableau.
• Two years’ experience in prospect development or fundraising in a higher education setting and clear understanding of the cultivation cycle.
• Must be an outstanding communicator and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills; interpersonal skills; and the ability to work collegially and interact effectively with a diverse constituency.
• An appreciation for and support of diversity in the workplace in all its forms; proven success working with stakeholders; project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; organizational skills; and the ability to lead, influence and motivate others are required.
• Collaborative, collegial and customer service focused orientation, eager and able to engage a diverse stakeholder base, and able to build strong professional relationships.
• Strong consultative approach with ability to advise and influence internal clients through formal and informal presentations.
• Effective in problem-solving across organizational lines.
• Understand institutional mission and strategic initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office: Word, Power Point, Excel, Access.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter, resume, and three references.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Health Assessment Required: No