Senior Analytics Analyst, Development Data, VP Development and Alumni

Description

The Department of Development Data within VP Development and Alumni is currently seeking a Full-time Staff Limited Term Senior Analytics Analyst for approximately 2 years.

The Office of Development and Alumni exists for the mutual benefit of the University of Calgary and its stakeholders, and coordinates donations of gifts to the University, as well as communication and engagement with UCalgary Alumni and the broader community. The incumbent is a senior member of the Advancement Data team that supports all technical and data analysis needs of the department and its stakeholders. Reporting to the Manager, Analytics & Reporting, the incumbent will work in a high volume, fast paced, and complex role that requires excellent business process, querying, reporting, and customer service skills. This role requires highly developed analytical abilities to solve complex problems with high impact of error. The work is unstructured and based on priorities, requiring the individual to operate flexibly in a moderate to high pressure work environment.

The incumbent is a recognized expert in data analytics/reporting best practices. They require the technical aptitude and experience to support operational functions and business processes used to manage fundraising and alumni data at the University. Key responsibilities include developing complex, multi-level SQL queries to accurately extract University gift information, and building reports, dashboards, and other visualizations to effectively and understandably present this information to key stakeholders, ranging from frontline staff to Executive Leadership. They will also use Blackbaud CRM (BB CRM) directly for querying, imports, and data extract and exports, all the while ensuring that Constituent communication preferences are respected. This role requires a high amount of concentration, and both the ability to work independently and as part of the larger Advancement Data team. When challenges are identified, the incumbent must use sound judgement and initiate resolution.

This individual also plays an advisory role for fundraisers, alumni and development staff, and develops documentation of processes and business rules. The incumbent must possess excellent time management and priority setting abilities, as well as advanced judgement, creativity, and problem-solving skills. A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail is also required

The purpose and function of this position is to provide complex analysis and reporting for Development and Alumni and other stakeholders, and to support and advise CRM users on a number of levels and fronts.

The incumbent must have the ability to translate complex and intricate business rules into appropriate SQL code and frontend queries to ensure that only the correct Constituents, gifts, and related activity are included in a wide variety of calculations. As this data is distributed throughout the University to key stakeholders up to Executive Leadership, and used for external communications and publications, mistakes can impact the credibility and reputation of the University and have legal ramifications (e.g., CASL).

The incumbent must also respond to numerous ad hoc requests, and may be involved in the implementation and testing of new database/analytical functionalities and associated business processes. They act as mentors to new staff and colleagues in other areas of Development and Alumni.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Advanced Data Management/Analysis

• The incumbent will undertake complex analysis of Development and Alumni data (e.g., design and build complex SQL queries that involve >25 table joins and multiple levels of embedded subqueries).

• This high level of complexity that this involves requires close collaboration with the Manager of Gift Processing and Compliance and other teams to ensure that the database is set up appropriately to produce the desired results. A significant amount of creativity and ingenuity is required on behalf of the incumbent to address changing requirements, and deal with unanticipated and unique situations.

• The incumbent produces reports that are distributed externally back to individual/groups of donors, as well as to Government (e.g., Treasury Board), and the larger University community. They also inform Development performance incentives and activities by University leadership, up to and including the President (e.g., donor visits). Thus, inaccuracies/inconsistencies/ inefficiencies in the incumbent's work have significant potential to cause harm to the reputation and efforts of the University.

• Additional complex technical tasks include frontend querying, imports, and exports on behalf of Development and Alumni and its many partners.

• The incumbent provides efficient service and consultation to staff across campus with respect to coordinating and/or performing these and other database functions, and resolves support and request tickets in a timely manner.

• The incumbent must proactively develop detailed testing plans to account for the situations noted above, as well as a wide variety of other scenarios, and work with specialists throughout Development and Alumni to determine the root cause of any issues and how they can be mitigated.

Client/Stakeholder Relations

• The incumbent works very closely with other stakeholders within Development and Alumni (e.g., Gift Compliance, Donor Stewardship, Principal Gifts) and elsewhere at the University (e.g., Senate Office, Student Awards). When data is required from other University systems (e.g., People

Soft), the incumbent must construct a plan for working with other areas to acquire their data, while ensuring data integrity, protection of privacy, and compatibility between the systems.

• The incumbent develops complex analytical reports and visualizations to present the requested information back to the end user through tools such as Power BI based on the requirements collected. The incumbent will prepare reports with drilldowns that involve >50 dashboards, and must possess the sophisticated technical abilities to maintain/enhance reports developed by both themself, as well as other team members.

• The incumbent is frequently called upon to provide individual/group training, both on Development and Alumni data/reports, as well as data analysis methodologies in general.

• The incumbent serves as a key technical resource when working with the University's Information Technology, Human Resources, and other departments on various projects such as the design and implementation of the Sofia data mart.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Post-secondary education with progressive experience in an environment where databases and/or other supportive technologies are integral to the role.

• In-depth knowledge of relational database management concepts and structure, and experience developing highly advanced SQL queries for relational databases, such as SQL Server or Oracle. Knowledge of data management and ETL processes is highly desirable.

• Expert knowledge of Power BI is required.
  Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written are required, along with strong listening and interpretive skills. The ability to remain positive and confident under pressure and interact in a highly professional manner and build good relationships with clients and team members is essential.

• Previous progressive experience using Blackbaud's or other's CRM tools is required; in particular familiarity with preparing queries, imports, and exports.

• Knowledge of service/ticket management and change management. Strong operational experience with a ticketing tool like Service

Now is an asset.
Knowledge of Python and/or R or AI tool is an asset.

• Knowledge of University regulations and procedures, and a working knowledge of University business systems is an asset.

• The ability to independently handle and prioritize multiple tasks is critical to this role. Must be able to assess deadlines and schedule work appropriately. This position requires a high degree of critical thinking and problem solving, and the ability to deal with major complex issues.

Application Deadline: May 7, 2026.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2. Please note that the maximum annual salary available for this position is approximately $60K.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (oic@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.