Join a team that transforms data into decisions. We use advanced analytics, AI, and experimentation to unlock opportunity, drive growth, and shape strategy across a mission-driven university.

Excelsior University is seeking a Decision Scientist who will leverage data science to drive strategic initiatives, improve operational efficiency, and achieve institutional goals. Reporting to the Director of Analytics, the decision scientist will collaborate closely with business partners in Marketing, Admissions, Advising, Student Financial Services, and the Office of the Registrar. The role will be responsible for using machine learning, predictive modeling, experimental design, and other analytical techniques to inform strategic decisions and identify opportunities for efficiency and growth. This role gives you the opportunity to lead innovative projects and support Excelsior’s mission of serving adult learners, with an emphasis on those historically underrepresented in higher education.

We believe work should fit your life, not the other way around. While it is preferred that team members be located in Albany, New York, or a nearby area, remote work options will be considered. Our hybrid schedule has you in the Albany office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the flexibility to work from home on other days. Spend less time commuting and more time focusing on meaningful work or personal priorities. Core hours are 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, including a 1-hour lunch, for a 37.5-hour week.

Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Use predictive and prescriptive analytical techniques to enable leadership to make informed decisions
• Apply demonstrated knowledge of data modeling, business analysis, and statistical analysis to design and evaluate drivers of growth and efficiency.
• Uses various data analytics tools to clean, manipulate, and transform data for analysis.
• Support projects and work with university leaders to identify assumptions for analytical tools and models with the goal of using these tools to provide data driven solutions.
• Communicate with data through written and oral presentations, using data visualization techniques to present findings in a manner that can be easily understood by nontechnical audiences.
• Promote data stewardship and data quality.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution in a business analytics, statistics, economics, data science, or relevant quantitative or empirical research field.
• Three or more years of relevant experience, though education may be used along with experience.
• Master's or Ph.D. from an accredited institution in a business analytics, statistics, economics, data science, or relevant quantitative or empirical research field strongly preferred.
• Higher education experience is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of data analysis and statistical modeling, preferably in an academic or educational setting.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, or willingness to learn combined with knowledge of other code-based programming languages such as MatLab, Stata, etc.
• Understanding of database systems and data manipulation techniques.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex analytical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with academic and business leaders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Strong attention to detail, thoroughness, and follow through.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.

The hiring salary range for this position is $85,000.00 - $95,000.00. The hiring salary range above represents the University's good faith estimate at the time of posting