Data Scientist, Advancement en Bucknell University

Position Title:

Data Scientist, Advancement

Position Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Categories:

Staff Exempt

Job Summary:

The Data Scientist, Advancement plays a key role in supporting the strategic goals of University Advancement by transforming data into actionable insights that guide decision-making across strategic insight that drives alumni engagement and philanthropic growth. By applying statistical analysis, machine learning, and data science techniques, this position uncovers trends, predicts behavior, and helps Advancement teams focus their efforts where they will have the greatest impact. This role partners with Advancement leadership, information services, and frontline teams to proactively deliver analytical projects, dashboards, predictive models, and data visualizations that optimize fundraising, alumni and parent engagement strategies, measure campaign performance, and identify new opportunities for philanthropic growth. This full-time, 12-month benefits-eligible position is based in Lewisburg, PA and will have the option for a hybrid work location; this is not a fully remote role.

Job Duties:

The ideal candidate thrives on turning ambiguous questions into actionable insights, using data, curiosity, and creativity to explore new ways to understand and engage audiences.

• Data Analysis & Insight Generation (25%):  Analyze constituent and revenue data to surface trends, gaps, and opportunities that inform planning, prospect pipeline development, and fundraising performance.  Manage both reactive and proactive projects.  Translate complex analytic findings into clear, compelling insights and communicate findings through visualizations and narratives that make complex results understandable for non-technical stakeholders. Deliver strategic insights that help prioritize resources and maximize philanthropic impact across campaign phases.  Establish feedback loops to evaluate the downstream impact of insights and analytical projects.

• Drive Predictive and Behavioral Modeling (25%): Design and implement statistical models (e.g., regression, clustering, survival analysis, ARIMA) to understand donor behavior and forecast giving potential. Conduct cohort analyses, A/B testing, and segmentation to evaluate campaign effectiveness and recommend improvements. Develop and refine models that assess donor capacity, likelihood to give, engagement scoring, and pipeline readiness. Use these models to identify prospects, prioritize outreach, personalize stewardship, and support campaign planning and resource allocation.

• Data Wrangling, Integration and Automation (20%): Source and prepare structured and unstructured data from various systems (CRM, digital engagement platforms, survey tools) for analysis. Automate recurring analytics processes to enable scalable, real-time decision-making.

• Enhance Fundraising Effectiveness (10%):  Serves a strategic thought partner with Strategic Philanthropy and Marketing, Strategy and Outreach teams to apply predictive models and performance analyses that guide donor outreach, portfolio management, and solicitation timing. Help teams focus on prospects with the greatest likelihood and capacity to give to drive future revenue generation.

• Support Targeted Alumni Engagement (10%):  Proactively analyze behavioral, demographic, and historical data to identify high-potential alumni audiences and uncover untapped engagement opportunities or gaps in current strategy. Serve as a strategic thought partner to engagement staff, co-developing data-informed, personalized outreach approaches that drive deeper connection, increase participation, and support long-term donor conversion. Evaluate the effectiveness of engagement efforts and recommend ongoing refinements based on measurable impact. Provide data-driven recommendations to shape personalized engagement strategies that increase connection, participation, and long-term donor conversion.

• Drive Strategic Collaboration Across Advancement (10%): Collaborate with colleagues across advancement to integrate data insights into goal setting, progress tracking, and program design. Serve as an internal thought partner to help build a culture of data-informed philanthropy and engagement. Facilitate cross-functional planning grounded in shared data understanding.

This position (and all positions in our division) requires the occasional evening and weekend work to support university events including Homecoming, Family Weekend, Reunion Weekend, and other events. We do ask staff to mark their calendars in advance for these events. This position may occasionally coordinate on-campus or off-campus events/activities outside of standard business hours.

We are looking for exceptional people who will embrace our values:

• Lead with Integrity

• Embrace a Collaborative and Inclusive Spirit

• Be Open and Receptive

• Nurture Creativity and Innovation

• Foster a Culture of Empowerment and Knowledge

University Advancement is here to advance the mission of Bucknell University by engaging the Bucknell community. It is only through the support of alumni, parents and friends – by opening doors to career opportunities, engaging others to join the conversation and community, and entrusting us with their philanthropic commitments – that we can further elevate Bucknell as a leader in undergraduate education. These values illustrate how we bring, as a division, the University's strategic plan to life and exercise our commitment to inclusion on a daily basis.

We're looking for someone with:

• Bachelor’s degree and four years of professional experience in data science or a related data-focused field.

• OR Master’s degree in analytics, data science, statistics, computer science, information systems, or a related field and two years of professional experience in data science or a related data-focused field.

Who also has:

• Demonstrated experience applying data science and AI techniques to translate complex business questions into actionable insights—including data wrangling, visualization, modeling, and interpretation of results.

• Demonstrated experience building statistical and machine learning models such as generalized linear regression, hierarchical models, nonparametric models, regression trees, and random forests.

• Demonstrated experience applying best practices in data visualization, with the ability to design, implement, and communicate effective approaches for exploring and presenting complex multivariate relationships.

• Technical skills required: 

  • Proficiency in R or Python for statistical analysis and machine learning.

  • Strong SQL skills and experience working with relational databases and data warehouses.

  • Experience with at least one data visualization tool (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, ggplot2).

  • Deep understanding of statistical modeling techniques and machine learning algorithms.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts in clear, accessible ways that builds understanding and inspires action among diverse audiences.

• Curiosity and creativity in exploring new approaches to donor engagement and philanthropic behavior.

And who preferably has:

• Experience in a nonprofit, higher education, or fundraising environment.

• Familiarity with advancement CRMs (e.g., Ellucian, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) and engagement platforms.

Physical Requirements:

• This position is based in a typical office setting without any unique physical or environmental requirements.

Job Exempt:

Yes

Salary Range:

77,180.00-90,800.00

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy. 

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role; 
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card 

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

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