SENIOR RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS PROCESS ANALYST

Duke University - Durham, NC

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Durham, NC

Educational Services

About the position

The Senior Research Administration Business Process Analyst position is integral to the sponsored projects financial compliance monitoring team within the Office of Post Award Administration at Duke University. This role is responsible for conducting complex data and process analysis, documenting existing processes, and making recommendations based on best practices and relevant data. The analyst will evaluate the impact of process changes on customer service, effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance criteria. A key aspect of this position involves identifying and acquiring essential data elements from Duke's research and financial management systems, collaborating with team leadership to structure and execute analytic models aimed at monitoring and enhancing the institutional risk environment. Additionally, the analyst will develop new compliance monitoring reports and performance visualizations in response to identified risk areas, working closely with office leadership. The position requires conducting data collection for compliance monitoring risk elements, contributing to the design and implementation of new analytic models, and performing special risk data collection and analysis as needed. The analyst will create and maintain specialized databases and queries to meet monitoring needs, providing written reports and presentations that align with the scope of the work. Evaluating data collection and analysis processes to identify inefficiencies and recommending specific changes for improved efficiencies is also a critical responsibility. The analyst will support the development of data visualization models using tools like Tableau and assist in implementing emerging business improvement processes and business intelligence tools. Customer support excellence is a priority, requiring proactive listening and professional responses to research administration goals. The analyst will partner with internal and external resources to drive change processes, assist with communications and training, and mine audit results to identify critical risk areas. Furthermore, the analyst will assist in coaching department leadership and staff, ensuring compliance with university policies and external regulations, and maintaining knowledge of changes in policies and procedures related to sponsored program administration. Other assignments may be requested by office leadership as needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct data collection for all compliance monitoring risk elements based on scheduled analysis and reporting requirements
• Contribute and execute the design and implementation of new analytic models required to support institutionally-identified financial compliance measures
• Conduct special risk data collection and analysis based on needs identified by office and institutional leadership
• Create and maintain specialized databases and queries to meet monitoring needs
• Provide written reports and deliver presentations consistent with the scope of the work
• Evaluate data collection and data analysis processes to document inefficiencies or gaps in existing processes
• Recommend specific changes to achieve improved efficiencies and lead efforts for analytical reviews
• Support the development of Tableau and other data visualization/presentation models for institutional leadership
• Assist with implementation of emerging business improvement processes, business intelligence tools and related systems
• Deliver the customer support standard of excellence through proactive listening and professional responses
• Partner with internal and external resources to drive change process, assisting with communications and training requirements
• Mine Federal audit and Single Audit results to identify critical current risk areas
• Assist supervisor and colleagues in coaching department leadership and staff
• Ensure compliance with policies set forth by the University and/or external agencies
• Maintain knowledge of changes involving internally and externally imposed policies and procedures

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• Four years of related process analysis, activity assessment/redesign, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Business process analysis competencies including advanced topics with Excel and/or enterprise data management systems
• Demonstrated experience with process mapping and evaluation of inefficiencies
• Ability to learn and apply changing technologies related to research administration management and data analytics/visualization
• Working knowledge of organizational financial and research administrative systems (SAP, SPS or similar)
• Working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point)
• Understanding and application of Federal and sponsor specific regulations/laws relating to extramural funding
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with all levels of the organization
• Ability to analyze data, formulate conclusions and provide summary level reports as needed
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects/tasks simultaneously

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Tableau or Power BI for data visualization
• Knowledge of Federal regulations for sponsored program administration
• Experience in training and coaching staff

Benefits

• Remote work opportunity
• Professional development opportunities
• Health insurance
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off