Associate Director for Data Science

INSTITUTIONAL RSCH ANL 5 (000633)

UCPath Position ID: 40052642

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1117657

Approved Date:

6/8/2026 4:26:33 PM

Date Last Edited:

6/8/2026 4:26:30 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

9/1/2023

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

6400O

Organization:

VICE CHANCELLOR/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Division Code:

6410D

Division:

ACAD PLNG & BUDGET DIV                 

Department:

381500 - ACADEMIC PLANNING & BUDGET

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40052642

Position Description ID

166201

UC Payroll Title:

INSTITUTIONAL RSCH ANL 5 (000633)

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 26

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

A: Manager - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40061992

Reports to Payroll Title:

INSTITUTIONAL RSCH MGR 2

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40055739

Department Head Payroll Title:

ADMIN MGR 4

GENERAL DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent receives guidance in terms of broad goals and overall objectives and is responsible for establishing the methods to attain them. Generally the incumbent is in charge of an area of work, and typically formulates policy for this area but does not necessarily have final authority for approving policy.

5876

INSTITUTIONAL RSCH ANL 4

1

POSITION SUMMARY

The Analytics and Institutional Research team within the Office of Academic Planning and Budget (APB) aims to foster student success and optimize UCLA's operational effectiveness by facilitating data-driven decision-making. APB serves as the primary source of official data reported from administrative systems across the University, conducts objective research and analysis for decision makers, leverages an understanding of advanced analytical methods to improve understanding of institutional and program performance, builds data collections, facilitates access to institutional data, and advocates for data quality and integrity. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, Analytics and Institutional Research  the incumbent will use his/her advanced quantitative skillset to support the current data and reporting needs of numerous campus entities, including the offices of the EVC/P and Chancellor, through a combination of hands on technical programming as well as achieving organizational objectives through the coordinated achievements of subordinate staff.  By combining a knowledge of database design principles, modern programming skills and visualization software, advanced knowledge of analytical methods, consultative skills to work with campus stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into technical requirements, and to manage and direct technical staff, the incumbent will utilize various sources of campus data to optimize campus operations as well as improve student outcomes. As the campus moves towards the creation of a centralized data lake, the incumbent will also need to be adept at working within modern data environments like AWS, be able to offer input and feedback on the provisioning of data governance tools, and understand how these tools can help streamline the work of their team as well as other users of our data environment. The use cases and requests brought to Analytics and Institutional Research team are broad, so a strong understanding of and experience working within higher education is needed to provide accurate, timely, and actionable results to stakeholders, and to help provide the needed background and context for projects delegated to their staff. The most commonly assigned projects require knowledge of data related to students, academic and non-academic employees, finance, facilities, as well as external higher education data providers like the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) or AAUDE.

Data Analysis, Visualization, and Institutional Research

 • Author complex SQL queries, often times in multiple environments, according to established programming standards for that environment.

 • Perform multivariate statistical analyses and present findings to audiences including executive management.

 • Create and maintain dashboard visualizations in Tableau for various campus stakeholders and ensure their accuracy, consistency, and maintenance.

 • Support applications of institutional research in campus decision making, including but not limited to enrollment management and projections, revenue forecasting, strategic planning, academic program review and departmental workloads including instructional trends for both faculty and students, key academic performance indicator development, student retention, graduation, and enrollment, and ad hoc queries and analyses in response to the needs of leadership.

35%

Database Development

 • Ensures current data capture processes from source systems meet the reporting requirements of frequent request themes and build new data pipelines in response to identified gaps

 • Conduct data modeling to define and create curated data views that balance the ability to give users broad and comprehensive information while also allowing self-service functionality for users not equipped with advanced knowledge of SQL 

 • Leverage advanced programming to create automated workflows to streamline data update processes and detect data anomalies

 • Helps serve as a liaison between the UCOP IR staff as well as other UCLA data teams to articulate deficiencies in source system data quality affecting systemwide standardized file creation and works to resolve current and future data processing errors

 • Contribute to documentation for all database processes, procedures, structures, data elements, maintenance protocols, and related data practices and tools used by APB.

35%

Management of Data Engineering and/or Data Analysis staff

 • Ensure work products and output of the principal database developer meets the needs of administrators and other end users, including but not limited to:- Primary data source extraction from the student information system, UCPath, admissions, financial aid, and other data systems as needed

        ▪ The cleaning, processing and curation of data from these systems into usable formats

        ▪ The analysis of standardized data files sent to UCOP for the Corporate Student System

        ▪ The creating of new data structures for reporting and analysis purposes 

 • Listen to and anticipate the needs of end users and pro-actively solution data products to meets these needs of students, staff, and faculty

 • Articulate, define, and scope project and data product requirements for staff to develop and fulfill, providing technical oversight and guidance as needed

 • Work consultatively with the Executive Director of Analytics and Institutional Research to promote the skillset of the team and continue to obtain broad adoption of our services by thinking creatively of how data and information can be better utilized and provided for campus constituents

 • Be a technical liaison between DTS and our team, helping them to understand our needs while also equipping and educating the Analytics and Institutional Research staff on how to work effectively and efficiently within new data environments and new data tools

 • Establish clear work guidelines and expectations for any direct reports, ensuring no one is systematically under or over utilized, and fulfilling all of the proper obligations of a manager (e.g. timely feedback and performance reviews, ensure completion of all required trainings, provide guidance and feedback for career growth and progression, etc.)

30%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

in statistics, sociology, computation science or a related area and / or equivalent combination of education and experience / training

Required

And

Master's Degree

in statistics, sociology, computation sciences or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred

6 years

of experience as a Data Scientist or related field

Required

And

Demonstrated

experience in the field of institutional research.

Preferred

And

Extensive

experience with higher education data, especially student and payroll data

Preferred

Advanced knowledge of Tableau to design, enhance, and develop aesthetically pleasing visualizations, including but not limited to, interactive dashboards, scorecards and reports.

Required

Advanced proficiency in SQL, relational databases, and concepts related to data warehousing. Strong understanding of research methods and predictive analytics.

Required

Demonstrated experience in analyzing large data sets to implement solution focused resolutions in relation to automation and coding practices.

Required

Demonstrated experience using modern programming languages for data mining and analysis purposes (e.g. R, Python) with the ability to teach and train others in this skill.

Required

Ability to simplify complex analytics into recommendations that are easily understood and executable. Ability to exemplify a strategic approach to provide research and analytics to support the needs of various departments.

Required

Skill in working independently and as part of a team. Demonstrated success in working in collaborative style, in following through with tasks with minimal supervision, and in promoting a high degree of professionalism in meeting assigned responsibilities.

Required

Skills to communicate information clearly, orally and in writing to a wide variety of individuals and in group settings. Have a consultative mindset that is able to dig deep into a customer's needs and identify data driven solution to bridge this gap.

Required

Identifies, plans and implements projects in specific analytical areas to support the organization's decision-making, problem-solving, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness areas.

Required

Has knowledge of and ensures appropriate staff have proper data privacy training, including but not limited to FERPA.

Required

Experience developing project plans and identifies any gaps in staffing or technology needed to complete them.

Required

Experience developing data solutions within a native cloud environment (e.g. AWS).

Preferred

Experience managing direct report(s) and providing both contextual and technical guidance when needed.

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Murphy Hall

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.