CAUL is hiring - Data Analyst
Turn complex data into strategic impact for the university library sector
Are you ready to apply your analytical skills to drive meaningful change in scholarly publishing and inform strategic decision-making in the university library sector across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand? The Council of Australasian University Librarians (CAUL) is seeking a Data Analyst to increase our analytics capacity, drive evidence-based decision-making, inform negotiations, and communicate impact.
In this role, you'll work with diverse datasets to uncover insights that directly influence sector-wide strategy and decision-making. From exploring scholarly publishing trends and analysing benchmarking data to supporting strategic negotiations, your analysis will help shape the future of university libraries and scholarly communication in our region.
Impact and opportunity
As our key analytics specialist, you'll have the scope to:
- drive evidence-based decisions that influence the future of scholarly publishing
- work with varied datasets across all aspects of university library operations and the CAUL business
- collaborate with stakeholders across the university library sector and beyond
- shape our analytics approach through input into our technical environment strategy
- transform complex data into compelling narratives that drive change.
Balance and benefits
While the work is dynamic and the pace is fast, we believe in sustainable careers. We offer:
- full-time remote work from anywhere in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand
- a 35-hour work week
- 17% superannuation to help secure your future
- 20 days of annual leave and additional end-of-year shutdown days
- the opportunity to work with a high-performing distributed team with well-established virtual collaboration practices.
Get ready to step up
This role could be your opportunity to step up, whether you're:
- an experienced analyst ready to take ownership of a complete analytics function
- an early-career analyst with strong foundations seeking growth
- a professional from the university library, research, scholarly publishing or broader higher education industries with analytical capabilities.
What you’ll do
In this role, your key responsibilities will be to:
- analyse complex datasets to generate insights that drive strategic decision-making
- design and develop sophisticated interactive dashboards and visualizations
- create compelling data narratives that influence sector-wide strategies
- build and maintain data pipelines using tools like Tableau Prep
- develop automated reporting solutions and self-service analytics tools
- work with modern data warehouse platforms, including Snowflake and BigQuery
- write complex SQL queries for data extraction and transformation
- implement data quality frameworks and validation procedures
- collaborate with stakeholders to understand needs and communicate insights
- identify opportunities to systematise and automate recurring analyses.
Your skills, knowledge and experience
Essential
1. Either:
- Tertiary qualification in Data Analytics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field and a minimum of three years’ experience in analytics roles; OR
- Equivalent combination of industry certifications (such as Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or data analytics certifications) and a minimum of five years’ experience in analytics roles.
2. Demonstrated technical proficiency to support handling and analysing large and complex datasets, including proficiency with: data visualisation tools (either Tableau and/or Power BI) including dashboard development; advanced SQL for data extraction, manipulation and transformation; and using modern data warehouse platforms (e.g. Snowflake, BigQuery).
3. Demonstrated ability to apply creativity and analytical thinking skills to understand and transform business requirements into analytics solutions, and identify opportunities to develop automated and self-help solutions.
4. A well-developed understanding of data governance, privacy, security, and data quality management principles and frameworks as they apply to data analysis.
5. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts, craft compelling analytical narratives, write technical documentation, and communicate insights through visualisations, presentations and written reports for both technical and non-technical audiences.
6. Outstanding organisational and time management skills, with high-level initiative and judgment, the ability to prioritise multiple concurrent projects and processes, and the ability to balance emergent and planned work.
7. Ability to work productively as part of a distributed virtual team, contribute to positive team culture and reflect the values of CAUL.
Desirable
1. Experience with ETL tools and pipeline development. Candidates without ETL experience must be willing to develop this skill set, supported by employer-provided professional learning opportunities.
2. Understanding of impact and value measurement methodologies, statistical analysis methods, and approaches to working with survey data.
We're open to different combinations of technical skills and sector knowledge. Strong SQL skills and data visualisation experience are essential, but we're willing to support the right candidate in developing additional technical capabilities like ETL skills and developing existing skillsets further.
The ideal candidate will combine technical capabilities with knowledge of university libraries, higher education, or scholarly publishing - but we encourage applications from those who are stronger in either technical or contextual knowledge and eager to develop in the other. We welcome applications from candidates in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand with permanent residency or the right to work in either country.
We recognise that great analysts come from diverse professional backgrounds. If you see yourself in this role but don't tick every box in our criteria, we encourage you to apply. We're particularly interested in how your unique combination of technical skills and experience could bring value to our team.
Want to know more?
Review the full position description for more information.
For more information, contact Jane Angel, CEO jane.angel@caul.edu.au
Ready to apply?
Candidates are asked to provide a cover letter, an up-to-date CV and written responses of no more than 500 words each to selection criteria 2, 3, 4 and 6. Written responses should provide explicit examples that demonstrate your performance against the criteria. Candidates seeking an appointment at the higher end of the salary range should also respond to either or both desirable criteria. All candidates should ensure their CV clearly articulates how they satisfy selection criteria 1.
Applications should be submitted via the SEEK online application form.
We are conducting a rolling recruitment process and will begin interviewing suitable candidates immediately. While the position will remain open until filled, we encourage early applications.
Applicants may be invited for an initial screening call with the Director, Strategy & Analytics.
CAUL is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and values diverse perspectives and experiences. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, neurodiverse people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace. If you would like to request adjustments for the recruitment process, please let us know of any specific requirements when you apply.
About CAUL
The Council of Australasian University Librarians (CAUL) is the peak collegiate body for the leaders of university libraries in the Oceania region. It facilitates connection and collaboration and optimises its collective knowledge, expertise, and resources to achieve strategic outcomes at scale in priority areas for the university library sector. CAUL is the trusted voice of the university library sector in the region.
CAUL is a member association for the leaders of university libraries in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and the peak leadership body for university libraries in the region. CAUL's Members currently comprise the university librarians (or equivalent) at Australian and Aotearoa universities. From 2025, membership will also be open to Australasian and Oceania higher education institutions recognised as universities by their respective governments.
CAUL is a non-profit organisation that supports Members in leading their libraries through:
- delivering key services, including the Analytics Service, Content Procurement Service, and Professional Learning Service
- fostering collaboration and cooperative activity
- representing Members' interests, views and values to government and other stakeholders
- facilitating the sharing of best practice
- fostering the professional growth of current and future leaders in university libraries.
CAUL is governed by a Board of Directors and operated by the CAUL Office.