Academic Data and Operations Specialist

Job Description:

About Brown:

Brown University is a leading research university distinct for its student-centered learning and deep sense of purpose. Our students, faculty and staff are driven by the idea that their work will have an impact in the world.

Brown University offers a flexible work/life balance; summer hours, winter break and a comprehensive Benefits package including time off, annual paid holidays; benefits offerings including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, wellness, employee discounts and more. To learn about Brown University’s benefits, visit the University Human Resources web page for further information.

About the Opportunity:

The College invites applications for an Academic Data and Operations Specialist. If you would like to join a team of dedicated colleagues working to support the intellectual and personal development of students through individualized education, please consider submitting an application. The mission of the College is to support undergraduate student learning and to ensure that each and every student is engaged, empowered, and transformed by their education at Brown.

Responsibilities:

The Academic Data and Operations Specialist serves as a core technical and operational resource for the College, helping to support, accelerate and streamline college processes. The incumbent reports to the College’s Chief of Staff. 

The College increasingly uses technology and data in its support of undergraduate students. This position will assist in the support of undergraduate students by helping existing college staff obtain, transform and take action on data collected through disparate data sources.

In addition to maintaining and operating existing automation tools and data workflows, the Academic Data and Operations Specialist will work closely with the Academic Data Analyst and System Engineer to identify opportunities for new systems and to design, test, and implement those systems. 

The incumbent will assist the Academic Data Analyst and System Engineer in gathering, analyzing, and presenting complex data to support proactive decision-making by the College’s leadership and divisional staff. This will include both fulfilling requests from the Dean of the College and other College staff members as well as proactively identifying areas where analysis can help the College make better decisions. This work will cover both one-time exploratory analyses around key decisions as well as the creation and maintenance of long-term tracking dashboards and reports.

Additionally, the Specialist coordinates the operational workflows of the University-wide Course Feedback process and manages its technical system. The incumbent also actively participates in the administrative life of the College, participating in team and divisional meetings, as well as committees and ad hoc working groups

Major Responsibilities

• Workflow Automation
• Gather, Analyze, and Present Data
• Implement and Test Algorithmic Solutions
• Coordinate Course Feedback Processes
• Operational support

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a highly technical computational discipline; and 1–2 years of related work experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).  

Job Competencies

• Experience with google sheets or excel formulas and automations.
• Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools such as Tableau or Cognos Analytics.
• Familiarity with at least one programming language and an interest in growing software development and data analytics skills
• Strong collaborative skills, with an ability to manage multiple deliverables independently under general supervision.
• Ability to apply algorithmic logic (e.g., optimization models, graph theory) to operational data challenges.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust with faculty and partners across academic units. Customer-focused, and customer service oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex operational or logistical challenges using independent judgment and discretion where solutions are not clearly prescribed. 
• Ability to use judgment and discretion and maintain confidentiality with sensitive personal information.
• Demonstrated ability to design clear data visualizations and translate complex technical metrics for non-technical stakeholders. 

Preferred Competencies:

• Proficiency with programmatic data analysis (e.g., Python/Pandas) and database queries via SQL.
• Experience using Google Apps Script or similar tools to automate office workflows.

Salary Grade:

9

Additional Information: 

For best consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume by October 4, 2026. 

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Please review additional information on the Benefits of Working at Brown.

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Submission Guidelines:

The designated Position Work Location for each position determines the approved modality of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site, hybrid, or remote.

Employees with a designated position work location as remote must reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is registered to do business. Brown University is a registered employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown University, you must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are not automatically considered for future openings.  

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

Brown is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement:

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.