Research Content, Data & Analytics Mgr – Office for Research Communications – 517452

Pay Grade/Pay Range:  59 Monthly (exempt): – Minimum – $ 48,880.00 Midpoint – $ 70,886.40

Department/Organization: 701101 – VP Research

Normal Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm

Job Summary: In close alignment and collaboration with the Director for the Office for Research Communications, members of ORED’s team, campus partners, and with the University’s Division of Strategic Communications, the Content, Data & Analytics Manager will drive ORED’s web presence, with a focus on user experiences, content management and development, design, and the effective use of data analytics and search engine optimization.

Additional Department Summary: In June 2019, the Office for Research & Economic Development (ORED) launched a five-year strategic plan (2019-2024) for research at The University of Alabama (UA). The plan – emanating from UA’s goal to, “increase the University’s productivity and innovation in research, scholarship, and creative activities that impact economic and societal development,” – focuses on six strategic themes: (1) Research Environment, (2) Alabama Research Institutes, (3) Transformative Initiatives, (4) Translating Intellectual Property, (5) Economic and Business Engagement, and (6) Assessing Progress and Impact. The overarching goals of ORED’s plan are to double the research enterprise in five years and become one of the premier comprehensive research institutions in the southeastern United States. UA’s research enterprise has been surging higher for eight consecutive years. For the five-year period from 2014 to 2018, total sponsored awards grew by 85%. In the last three fiscal years (2019-2021), total sponsored awards increased by another 72%. This growth rate strengthens UA’s position as one of the fastest growing research institutions in the nation.

Also in June 2019, UA’s Economic Development Council, chaired by the Vice President for Research & Economic Development, announced the five-year economic development priorities and strategic goals for UA (2019-2024). Originating directly from UA’s mission, vision and strategic plan, the economic development priorities and strategic goals focus on four priority themes: (1) Provide Economic Development Services, (2) Prepare Current and Future Workforce and Retain Talent in the State, (3) Start, Recruit and Partner with Companies, and (4) Measure and Evaluate the Overall Impact of UA on the Statewide Economy. UA economic development assets received a significant increase in external award funding in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019. In fiscal year 2020, economic development assets received $14,309,098, which is 8.50% of UA’s total external sponsored awards, compared to $8,408,128 and 6.35% of total in FY 2019. UA continued to have significant and growing economic impact on the state of Alabama with every $1 invested by the state returning $17.51 in economic impact, totaling almost $3 billion and providing 13,823 jobs.

ORED is at the helm of this unprecedented research and economic development growth and now seeks a Content, Data & Analytics Manager up to the challenge of serving as a critical member of the ORED team. In close alignment and collaboration with the Director for the Office for Research Communications, members of ORED’s team, campus partners, and with the University’s Division of Strategic Communications, the Content, Data & Analytics Manager will drive ORED’s web presence, with a focus on user experiences, content management and development, design, and the effective use of data analytics and search engine optimization.

The primary responsibilities of the Content, Data & Analytics Manager will be:

• Developing, implementing, and supporting webpages for ORED, including the premier, signature research institutes – Alabama Life Research Institute, Alabama Transportation Institute, Alabama Water Institute, Alabama Cyber Institute, Alabama Analytical Research Center
• Producing, publishing, and organizing content – including writing, editing, and proofreading – content includes, but is not limited to, webpages, multimedia articles, blog posts, images, videos, infographics, etc.
• Coordinating the required digital marketing and event coverage for ORED events
• Developing and creating an ORED branded presence that is complimentary to but distinct from UA undergraduate brand and experience, and is sanctioned and approved by the Division for Strategic Communications
• Formulating a strategic plan to launch ORED social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram) and executing a plan to increase followers and viewership
• Formulating and managing cross-platform content strategies
• Building and supporting web templates in the institutional content management system (CMS)
• Testing and maintaining dynamic websites in development and production environments
• Directing and managing data analysis and visualization projects, working closely with UA and ORED employees and campus partners
• Organizing data input sources; utilizing data mining techniques; incorporating big data analysis; and overseeing the implementation and utilization of data analysis visualizations, including continual evaluation of data accessibility
• Building and managing databases; curating data
• Creating forms and web applications
• May supervise student employees to support data analysis and visualization projects; help students develop necessary skills
• Tracking and maintaining analytics to ascertain engagement
• Utilizing data and applying trend analysis to adjust marketing strategies and value propositions
• Maintaining relationships with ORED staff and campus partners to facilitate data/website needs and provide necessary support and training, especially regarding data and reports to help make informed decisions and create best practices
• Establishing and executing processes and workflows that lead to optimal experiences for end users

Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of professional work experience in higher education, instructional technology, business analytics, or management information systems; OR a Master’s degree and three (3) years of experience in higher education, instructional technology, business analytics, or management information systems.

Skills and Knowledge: This position requires the ability to conduct research and apply findings on best practices and new technologies, and the ability to communicate effectively with ORED employees, IT staff, University faculty, instructional designers, and campus partners. This position requires knowledge of and experience with WordPress, Google Analytics, and Google Data Studio.

Preferred Qualifications: A background in academic research, instructional design, and/or online teaching experience is strongly preferred. Knowledge of and experience with data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, JMP, SAS, Python, R) and data visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, PowerBI, SAS Visual) are strongly preferred. Experience with data collection platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Salesforce, Slate) is strongly preferred.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. “EEO is the Law” Poster