Data Analyst, Senior Associate

ABOUT ALU

ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors.They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now. Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world.

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

The ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Data Analyst plays a pivotal role in strengthening ALU’s data capability and driving evidence-based decision-making across the institution. This position is responsible for implementing robust business rules, improving data integrity, and transforming complex datasets into intuitive, actionable insights.

You will lead the revamp of Salesforce dashboards, ensuring they are accurate, user-friendly, and aligned with business needs. You will also partner with departments such as Admissions, Student Support, and Operations to design and deliver data solutions that improve transparency, operational efficiency, and strategic outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a technically proficient problem-solver who combines strong analytical acumen with a deep appreciation for data usability, business logic, and stakeholder experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Dashboard Development & Data Visualization

• Redesign and manage Salesforce and organizational dashboards to ensure clarity, consistency, and usability.
• Develop data visualizations that communicate trends and KPIs effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Implement standard business rules and definitions across reports to ensure data accuracy and comparability.
• Conduct regular dashboard audits to maintain performance and relevance.

2. Data Quality & Governance

• Identify data quality issues, perform root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and document business rules, data definitions, and quality standards in collaboration with functional leads.
• Lead or contribute to data quality improvement projects, ensuring consistent data flow between Salesforce, NetSuite, and other systems.

3. Analytics & Insights

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to support strategic and operational decisions.
• Build and maintain datasets, queries, and statistical models to extract insights from diverse data sources.
• Translate analytical findings into clear recommendations that drive measurable impact.

4. Collaboration & Training

• Work closely with data owners, business analysts, and transformation leads to align data models and ensure quality across systems.
• Provide training and technical support to teams building their own reports and dashboards.
• Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making by simplifying complex information for non-technical users.

5. Continuous Improvement

• Proactively identify opportunities to automate manual reporting processes and improve data accessibility.
• Contribute to the development of a centralized data catalog and knowledge base.
• Participate in strategic data initiatives led by the Transformation Office.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all young persons and vulnerable adults with whom we deal,  by adhering to ALU’s comprehensive safeguarding policy, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of safeguarding standards. 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience as a Data Analyst (3+ years) supporting multiple business functions.
• Strong proficiency in SQL, with experience using Python or R for data analysis.
• Experience designing and managing dashboards using tools such as AWS QuickSight, Power BI, Tableau, or Looker.
• Demonstrated experience with CRM platforms, particularly Salesforce, including reporting and dashboard customization.
• Strong understanding of data modeling, relational databases, and ETL principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Familiarity with data warehousing concepts and tools (e.g., AWS Redshift, Google BigQuery).
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or multi-country operational environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills.
• High attention to detail, with a passion for data integrity and user experience.
• Ability to balance hands-on technical work with strategic oversight and project management.

Why Join ALU’s Transformation Office?

You’ll be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of data-driven operations at one of Africa’s most innovative education institutions. This is an opportunity to apply your analytical expertise to solve complex problems, build scalable data systems, and directly influence strategic decision-making at the organizational level.