Associate Director, Data Strategy

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $70,000 - $84,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Planning, the Associate Director of Data Strategy will lead the development and implementation of data-driven strategies to support fundraising and alumni engagement efforts as part of the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) team at Columbia Business School (CBS). With an ability to translate business needs into data requirements, this position will provide actionable data insights to enhance fundraising success and increase alumni engagement.

The incumbent will collaborate with all teams within DAR, as well as liaise across the school and University. They will design and manage systems to collect, analyze, and report on key metrics while also providing actionable recommendations to leadership. They will also serve as a resource across DAR in fostering a culture of data literacy and analytical thinking by providing training, creating resources, and supporting the professional development of team members in data-related initiatives. This position will also serve as the critical liaison between CBS and the University in the ongoing CRM conversion project. The team operates with core values of Respect, Inclusion, Service, Empathy and Excellence.

About Columbia Business School:

For over a century, Columbia Business School (CBS) has helped develop leaders and builders of enterprises who drive value for their stakeholders and society at large through our MBA, MS, PhD, and Executive Education programs. We are equally committed to cultivating new scholars and teachers and to creating and disseminating pathbreaking knowledge, concepts, and tools that advance the understanding and practice of management through our faculty research and PhD programs. Our vision is simple: to develop ideas and leaders that transform the world-from the very center of business.

Our ever-evolving curriculum, featuring pioneering courses, STEM certification, and immersive experiential learning, prepares students to excel in key areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, innovation, twenty-first-century finance, the intersection of business and society, and climate and sustainability. The CBS administration enables CBS' educational and scholarly mission through strategic and operational guidance and support, optimizing School resources through well-designed, transparent processes with a culture of respect for all.

Responsibilities

Data Strategy & Analysis

• Partner with stakeholders across DAR to understand business requirements to create data-driven insights for areas such as campaign performance, prospect identification, portfolio management, and alumni engagement. Analyze donor, prospect, and fundraising data to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges.
• Provide regular and ad-hoc analysis and insights to guide data-driven decisions. Present recommendations to senior leadership and stakeholders to support fundraising and engagement goals.
• Assist in developing performance benchmarks and identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) for fundraising and engagement activities.
• Provide regular projections to assist in financial planning

Business Process Optimization

• Analyze current fundraising and operational processes, identifying areas for improvement through technology and data solutions. Lead or assist with special projects related to process improvements, data analysis, and technology implementations.
• Lead initiatives to streamline data collection, reporting, and analysis across departments. Drive the adoption of new tools and methodologies to support efficient data management and reporting.
• Understand and document business requirements for reporting and process automation, and liaise with the University's Insights & Analytics team to create or modify reports and dashboards that will drive operational decision-making.
• Oversee DAR's involvement in the University's CRM conversion project, ensuring that CBS's data management and reporting needs are fully integrated. Lead testing, user adoption efforts, and continuous improvement initiatives post-implementation to maximize the system's impact on fundraising and engagement outcomes.

Training and Support

• Serve as the subject matter expert for data strategy, providing support and guidance to team members on data-related initiatives. Foster a culture of data literacy and analytical thinking.
• Provide training and support to DAR staff on data analysis tools, CRM best practices, and process improvements.
• Create documentation and resources to help colleagues interpret data and leverage insights for decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• At least 3-5 years of experience as a business analyst, data analyst, or similar role, ideally within a nonprofit, higher education, or fundraising environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to provide relevant, timely and actionable insights.
• Proficiency in CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI).
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to maintaining data integrity and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
• Familiarity with predictive analytics, segmentation strategies, and donor lifecycle management.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.