Data Systems Analyst

Description:

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Please reach out to Briana Wales-Thaxton, Vice President for People and Culture at bwales@communityfoundation.org or 413-417-6399 if you need assistance or an accommodation to complete your application. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS (CFWM)

Everything we do begins with local generosity: People in our region who want to give back to their communities in Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. When our donors give to us, they know that their gifts will be invested, stewarded, and shared to support people where they need it most.

As your community foundation, we’re passionate about serving by bringing together resources, expertise, and devoted regional partners to tackle complex and complicated issues. We’re deeply devoted to seeking solutions, building connections, and collaborating to have an effective and positive impact where we live.

CFWM is committed to working together across our community to increasing equity and opportunity so that all who live in our three counties have access to a satisfying quality of life.

ABOUT OUR HYBRID WORKPLACE MODEL

Our hybrid model is designed to keep community at the heart of what we do. We offer a hybrid workplace as part of our ongoing efforts to respond to employees’ needs and feedback that allows for individual needs to be met while balancing our ability to collaborate and build relationships in our workplace and across our community. We continue to recognize that some of our work can be done remotely, some work must be performed in the office, and much of our work takes place in our travels and activities throughout the region. All employees are required to come into the office, and work across the region for some CFWM events and activities. Some positions may require more of an office or community presence than others.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Data Systems Analyst evaluates organizational and departmental needs related to systems and data, gathers requirements, researches, and partners with departments to implement and test the deployment of systems and solutions to improve business processes at CFWM and maintains software and databases. This position is responsible for creating, auditing and maintaining data integrity standards for CFWM and utilizing data to support decision making and ongoing work. The data systems analyst supports the implementation of a data culture that supports the overall organizational goals and priorities. This role also supports the Foundation’s commitment to trust-based philanthropy by ensuring our data and analysis amplify community voice, foster transparency, and meaningfully assess the impact of our grantmaking in partnership with the communities we serve. Maintains software and databases and supports technology and software training opportunities. All activities are developed and implemented in alignment with the Foundation’s overall strategic priorities including diversity, equity, and inclusion.

ABOUT YOU

• You have an ability to analyze and present data to support business decisions.
• You are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• You are detailed oriented and possess strong technical and project management skills
• You have 5 - 7 years experience at a data analyst, business systems analyst, and/or database management.
• Ability to develop and document procedure while facilitating engagement and buy-in from various stakeholders.
• Willingness to grow, learn and teach others.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• In combination with the VP for Finance and Ops and Sr. Staff, develop, create and maintain a data culture that supports the data needs of the organization and encourages staff ownership of data and processes. This includes considering policies needed and use of emerging technologies (like AI).
• Create, design and maintain an integrated staff general Foundant training and onboarding program as well as work with departments to support their software and department specific end user training opportunities.
• Maintain a high-level understanding of overall system processing, relationships and reporting aspects of core database applications (Foundant) while guarding and protecting CFWM’s data integrity and ensuring database applications produce consistent, reliable, reusable data. Trouble-shoot errors and problems, support report creation, support cross system file imports/exports for all departments using advanced database tools and complex query statements when needed. Support departments in taking ownership of their data needs and supply the tools and training as needed.
• Manage, support and participate in the Foundant Admin Team who will monitor, review and implement data processes, data migration, data exports and reporting needs. Participate and support data cleanup projects and process audits as required.
• Collaborate with Admin Assistant in support of existing Microsoft software solutions as needed.
• Co-leads with departments process requirements gathering and translate the requirements to software, database and reporting solutions, through software research and implementation (with the help of outside consultants on an as needed basis). Support staff to identify and implement an accurate, timely, efficient and transparent workflow to be maintained at the departmental level.
• Develop workflow/process maps for transition from current to future landscape for existing and proposed business initiatives, including advocacy of best practices and potential re-engineering.
• Develop in depth familiarity with integration points (i.e. peripheral software systems) and processes across the organization to help standardize processes and tools for CFWM activity and provide technical assistance to trouble shoot software and process challenges related to the implementation of software tools.
• Collaborate with Community Impact team to analyze grant outcomes to measure community impact across funded initiatives, leveraging qualitative and quantitative data. Provide strategic insights grounded in data to guide and shape future granting decisions and maximize community impact. Translate data-backed findings into actionable strategies that strengthen the foundation’s grantmaking efforts.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Backs up VP for Finance and Ops for IT issues and communication with Paragus IT (outsourced provider of network management, security and equipment support).

Requirements:

Education

• A degree in IT / Computer Science, Information Management or equivalent experience

Experience

• 5-7 years proven experience as a data analyst or business/systems analyst
• Proven experience in eliciting requirements and testing
• Proven experience in analyzing data to draw business-relevant conclusions
• Proven experience with relational databases including SQL Server, direct experience with database application configuration
• Experience in generating process documentation
• Project Management of software implementations
• HTML coding preferred
• Experience with Foundant or Blackbaud products preferred

Skills

• Ability to set and revise procedures while facilitating buy-in from stakeholders that includes a willingness to learn about the various work of the Foundation, Foundation staff needs, and business needs across all Departments.
• Proficient in document writing for systems, procedures as well as technical documentation.
• Technical expertise regarding data models, database design development, data mining.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills along with facilitation, prioritization, and scope management.
• Demonstrated capacity to frame complex situations and present options.
• Robust collaboration and problem-solving skills to support operational best practices.
• Adept at queries, report writing and presenting findings.