Data Analyst - Remote in TX

Description

Job Overview

The Data Analyst is responsible for transforming program and organizational data into meaningful, accessible insights that support program quality, continuous improvement, evaluation, grant reporting, and organizational decision-making across the AVANCE Network. Working closely with the Director of Research and Evaluation, the Programs Team, the Data Coordinator, and other organizational partners, the Data Analyst analyzes participant, program, site, and network-level data; develops dashboards, reports, and visualizations; identifies trends and patterns; and translates findings into clear summaries for diverse audiences. This position also monitors data quality, ensuring that available data are accurate and reliable. The Data Analyst focuses primarily on analysis, interpretation, visualization, reporting, and decision support. The Data Analyst is responsible for creating a welcoming atmosphere for AVANCE internal employees, external program participants, chapters, partners, and stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities

Research, Evaluation, and Program Fidelity

• Analyze program implementation, fidelity, attendance, enrollment, retention, completion, participant outcomes, surveys, assessments, and other program data across the AVANCE Network.
• Support the Director of Research and Evaluation in the development and refinement of evaluation questions, measurement plans, data collection tools, outcome frameworks, and reporting approaches. Compile literature reviews in alignment with these tasks.
• Conduct routine and ad hoc analyses to assess program progress, trends, strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support cross-program comparisons, cohort analysis, and longitudinal tracking where data are available and appropriate. 
• Partner with the Programs Team to interpret data in ways that inform program quality, technical assistance, coaching, partner support, and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to grant applications and reports, Board reports, strategic investor updates, internal learning reports, and external presentations.

Data Analysis, Visualization, and Reporting

• Develop dashboards, data visualizations, scorecards, and summary reports for leadership, program teams, chapters, partners, Board committees, and strategic investors.
• Create standardized reports that communicate key metrics, including enrollment, attendance, retention, completion, participant outcomes, assessment results, survey results and fidelity indicators.
• Translate complex data into clear narratives, presentations, and recommendations for audiences with varying levels of data expertise.
• Identify patterns, gaps, outliers, and data quality concerns in collaboration with the Data Coordinator, program staff, and site leaders.
• Maintain recurring reporting calendars and support timely completion of monthly, quarterly, annual, and grant-specific reporting deliverables.
• Support the development of data dictionaries, metric definitions, report templates, dashboard structures, and data visualization standards.

Data Systems and Data Quality

• Partner with the Data Coordinator to validate, clean, prepare, and document data for analysis and reporting.
• Use centralized data systems, spreadsheets, survey platforms, and approved data tools to extract, combine, analyze, and report program data.
• Support improvements to data collection, storage, and reporting processes to strengthen usability, consistency, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Ensure analyses and reports are aligned to data governance, confidentiality, and applicable organizational policies and federal requirements.
• Document analytic methods, assumptions, definitions, limitations, and data sources so that reports are transparent and replicable.

Interdepartmental Coordination

• Collaborate with Research and Evaluation, Programs, Grants, Development, Communications, Finance, IT, and other internal teams to ensure data products support organizational priorities and program decision-making.
• Facilitate data review conversations that help teams interpret findings, ask stronger questions, and identify next steps for improvement.
• Respond to approved data requests and prioritize analytical work in partnership with the Director of Research and Evaluation.
• Build data literacy across teams by supporting consistent understanding and use of key metrics, dashboards, and reports.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Prepare accessible data summaries for AVANCE leadership, chapter staff, partners, funders, Board committees, and other stakeholders.
• Support partner and chapter conversations by producing actionable analyses, not just data tables.
• Serve as a thought partner to program leaders on metrics, trends, outcomes, and improvement questions.
• Communicate findings in culturally responsive, strengths-based, and mission-aligned ways.

Training and Professional Development

• Support training for dashboards, reports, data interpretation, and appropriate use of data products across the AVANCE Network. Facilitate virtual and in-person professional development sessions, incorporating tools such as Screencastify, Mentimeter, Canva, or other interactive technologies to engage with participants.  
• Develop user guides, report guides, and other resources that help staff understand and use data accurately.
• Engage in continuous improvement of dashboards, reports, and data processes based on user feedback.
• Stay current on nonprofit program evaluation, data visualization, data analysis methods, and relevant technology tools.

Role-Specific Competencies

• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Data storytelling and visualization
• Continuous improvement orientation
• Collaboration and service orientation
• Project management and follow-through
• Confidentiality and ethical use of data
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the general scope and level of the position.

Requirements

AVANCE Core Competencies

• Accountability
• The AVANCE Way 
• Demonstrates Ability to Learn
• Fosters Innovation 
• Takes Initiative 
• Recovers from Setbacks

Education

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in data Analytics, Statistics, Research and Evaluation, Information Systems, Education, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Economics, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in data Analytics, Statistics, Research and Evaluation, Information Systems, Data Science, Public Policy, Education, or a related field.

Work Experience

Required

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in data analysis, reporting, program evaluation, applied research, or a related field.
• Experience analyzing program, participant, service delivery, outcome, or operational data and translating findings into reports or presentations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, data cleaning, charts, and data validation techniques.
• Experience using at least one dashboarding, reporting, or data visualization tool such as Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio, or a similar platform.
• Experience with data cleaning, quality checking, and documentation of data definitions, assumptions, and limitations.
• Experience preparing data summaries for internal decision-making and/or external reporting.

Preferred:

• Experience working with nonprofit, education, early childhood, family engagement, Head Start/Early Head Start, workforce, or community-based program data.
• Experience with Apricot, Salesforce, GoEngage, Teaching Strategies GOLD, survey platforms, or similar data systems.
• Working knowledge of SQL or database querying.
• Experience using R, Python, SPSS, Stata, or similar statistical/analytical tools.
• Experience supporting grant reporting, dashboards, outcomes measurement, or continuous quality improvement processes.

Additional Skills

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate complex data and findings in plain language for multiple audiences.
• Strong data visualization and data storytelling skills.
• High attention to detail while managing multiple projects, requests, and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, training, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and support staff with varying levels of data comfort and expertise.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials, including interpretation of and adherence to federal FERPA and HIPAA requirements as applicable.
• Ability to meet requirements for deliverables and deadlines.
• Candidates must demonstrate strong proficiency in using Office 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, and other relevant technology tools.
• Commitment to culturally responsive, strengths-based, and equity-centered approaches to data use and communication.

Travel

• Ability to travel to various sites: Dependable transportation is required daily with a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record (subject to annual MVR (Motor Vehicle Report) check and policy), current auto liability insurance and be bondable by AVANCE, Inc.
• Travel required up to 20% of the time for work-related site visits, meetings, and functions.

Equipment

• Standard office equipment generally used includes:
• Telephone
• Personal Computer (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) or Tablet
• Printer/Photocopy Machine
• Calculator
• Fax Machine

Working Conditions

• Work is generally performed in an office environment. 
• Noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud (examples: business office with computers and printers, light to moderate traffic, human voices). 
• May be required to operate a motor vehicle during the course of duties. 

Mental and Physical Demands

Maintain emotional control under stress; work with interruptions and deadlines; walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing, use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; occasional: lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing 10-30 pounds.?Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Environmental Factors

Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.). Occasional expose to weather related conditions when working in outside environment /neighborhoods and events.

ADA/ADAAA Statement

AVANCE is committed to equal opportunity in employment for persons with disabilities and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and any other applicable state and federal laws. Accordingly, AVANCE does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in regard to application, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. Moreover, it is AVANCE’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of AVANCE’s business or would change the essential functions of the position. Retaliation against an individual with a disability for utilizing this policy or seeking a reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department.