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Penn State Job Catalog

Analysis and Planning Consultant – Principal Professional (PSU2305)

Additional Levels

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

Job Strings

Job Summary

The Analysis and Planning Consultant provides analysis and consulting services to clients; designs and conducts institutional studies; develops recommendations on a wide variety of topics including business efficiencies, quality improvement, performance measurement, and budget planning; and consults clients in selecting and applying appropriate analytical methodologies to resolve a wide range of strategic and operational issues.

Representative Duties

  • Serve as point of contact for projects or planning efforts within a unit or central planning office; meet with clients to determine and prioritize organizational research, information, and planning needs
  • Conduct the design, analysis, reporting, interpretation, and presentation of organizational and assessment studies
  • Design data collection and analysis plans, processes, and systems; identify analytical methods based on client needs; integrate appropriate assessments
  • Develop reports, data summaries, interpretations, and models that aid in decision making processes and track key performance indicators
  • Interpret data findings from sources such as financial reports, surveys, databases, and institutional data systems
  • Provide data driven recommendations to leadership that affect long-range plans, project direction, program goals, assessment planning, strategic planning, and/or organizational changes
  • Guide clients to identify strategic priorities and objectives; design new initiatives; determine the effectiveness of operational plans; provide direction and coaching that builds analytical capability of the unit
  • Conduct benchmarking activities and research against external organizations and higher education institutions to support and influence decision making and policy creation
  • Develop and cultivate relationships with internal and external stakeholders, leadership boards, government organizations, and industry related organizations
  • May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level Matrix

Level:
Principal Professional
Base Description:
– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Displays mastery of defined skill areas/applications, principles, theories and practices. Evaluates and enhances existing practices. Recognizes emerging trends in area of expertise. Works independently on complex or strategic assignments. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to others. Implements strategies to ensure achievement of initiatives. Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and deliver to broad audiences. Identifies and implements innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– Validates and pays invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
– May plan and forecast budgets
Problem Solving:
– Encounters complex and novel problems
– Applies policies, practices, specialized knowledge, and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines
Independence of Action:
– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices as guidelines as well as working knowledge to determine specific work methods
– Carries out work activities independently, with supervisor available to resolve problems
– Reviews work of others to verify technical soundness
Communication and Collaboration:
– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and area leads across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 12
  • Minimum – $76,700.00
  • MidPoint – $95,900.00
  • Maximum – $115,100.00
FLSA Exemption Status
Exempt
Minimum Education
Master's Degree
Minimum Experience
8+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Additional Job Requirements