Data Analyst - Sponsored Programs Administration
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign· startup· Higher Education· Oct 20, 2026 · 8d ago
Urbana, IL
Hybrid
Full-time
Mid
$75K–$90K
Job description
Data Analyst - Sponsored Programs Administration
This position may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement dependent with unit operational needs.
This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
The University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was founded in 1867. The university serves the people of Illinois through a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public engagement, economic development and health care. Faculty, staff and students share their knowledge, expertise and resources with residents in every corner of the state through public service and outreach programs.
The best data analysts don't just understand data—they understand the people and processes behind it. As a Data Analyst with Sponsored Programs Administration, you'll develop deep expertise in the data, business processes, and systems that help support faculty across the University in their quest to secure and manage externally funded research. You'll work closely with colleagues to understand how they work, solve reporting challenges, improve access to information, and develop tools that make complex processes easier to navigate. This isn't a role where you'll simply produce reports—it's an opportunity to become a trusted partner, a problem solver, and a person others turn to when they need to understand the data behind the work.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Senior Assistant Director of Data and Systems, the Data Analyst will primarily be responsible for analyzing sponsored program data including proposal, award, and expenditure activity, administrative process performance, and compliance and regulatory indicators and producing, maintaining, and securing reports and data visualizations that support Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA)'s pre-award and post-award functions.
This position combines functional knowledge of the sponsored research lifecycle with technical expertise in reporting, business intelligence, and data management, and serves as a key resource for translating institutional research administration data drawn from the Banner ERP system, the Kuali-based START myProposals and myResearch portals, and SPA's homegrown applications into insights that inform decisions by SPA and campus research leadership. The role also creates and maintains documentation and a data dictionary for key data terms and report logic, trains staff on self-service reporting and dashboard use, and stays current with emerging AI-enabled data analysis and reporting capabilities.
Duties & Responsibilities
• Analyze sponsored program data including proposal, award, and expenditure volume, administrative process performance, and compliance and regulatory indicators to identify trends, evaluate performance, and inform decision-making by SPA and campus research leadership; develop, run, and maintain the ad hoc and standard reports that support this analysis, drawing on data from Banner, Kuali-based START, and SPA’s homegrown applications; manage user access and security for reports and dashboards.
• Design, build, and maintain data visualizations and dashboards, primarily using Power BI, translating sponsored program data into clear, actionable insight for SPA leadership and campus stakeholders; leverage AI-assisted features to accelerate analysis and report development; provide training and support to enable self-service reporting and dashboard use.
• Support data pipelines and integrations using Azure Data Factory, developing and applying manual and automated verification and validation checks to ensure the accuracy and integrity of sponsored program data as it moves across systems; assist with transforming and migrating data from legacy MS Access databases to SQL Server and Denodo; build and maintain Denodo views for data virtualization.
• Develop functional expertise in sponsored program pre-award and post-award business processes to inform data and reporting work; create and maintain documentation and a data dictionary for key terms, fields, and report logic; respond to user requests for reporting and data assistance in a timely, professional manner. Apply project management techniques to plan, prioritize, and track multiple concurrent reporting and analysis requests.
• Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the mission of Sponsored Programs Administration and the University.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Data Science, Data Analytics, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a closely related field.
• Two (2) years of experience writing and optimizing SQL queries (T-SQL, PL/SQL, or similar) against relational databases such as SQL Server and/or Oracle.
• Experience building reports, dashboards, and/or data visualizations using a business intelligence tool such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar.
• Experience with ad hoc reporting and data analysis to support business and/or administrative decision-making.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with Power BI specifically, including data modeling, DAX, and report/dashboard publishing and workspace administration.
• Experience with sponsored research administration, grants management, or research compliance in a higher education or research institution setting.
• Familiarity with the University’s Banner ERP system and/or Kuali Research (START myProposals/myResearch).
• Experience with Azure Data Factory or other ETL/data pipeline tools.
• Experience with Denodo or other data virtualization/federation platforms.
• Experience migrating or modernizing legacy MS Access databases to SQL Server or similar platforms.
• Experience with Oracle databases.
• Light application development experience (C#, ASP.NET Core, Entity Framework) sufficient to build, deploy, and maintain visualizations within a homegrown web application ecosystem.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to data accuracy and integrity.
• Ability to translate functional/business requirements into technical reporting and data solutions.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain data and technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Strong time management skills with the demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent reporting and analysis requests and to quickly re-prioritize based on user needs.
• Proven ability to collaborate successfully as a member of a small team.
• Proven record of customer service excellence.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 - Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. The budgeted salary range for the position is $75,000 to $90,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at sucss.illinois.gov .
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 . Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a cover letter, resume, and names/contact information (including phone number and email address) for three professional references. Applications not submitted through jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Leslie Lewin Reinhart at 217-333-0034. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next . Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.
Champaign-Urbana
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu .
Requisition ID : 1038295
Job Category : Professional and Administrative
Apply at: jobs.illinois.edu
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
Paid Time Off