Business Analyst, ACS Publications

The Publications Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) publishes more than 75 peer-reviewed journals (and growing) focused on chemistry and chemistry-related topics. The Division has domestic facilities in Washington, D.C. and Columbus OH, as well as worldwide operations in a growing number of international locations including but not limited to the UK, Singapore, India, and China. 

The Division’s Global Production Operations (GPO) department based in Columbus manages all aspects of the copy editing, production, and web posting of peer-reviewed papers accepted for publication across the portfolio. GPO is performance-driven, relying heavily on collection and analysis of detailed metrics and financial information for daily decision-making on issues such as workflow priorities and vendor and contractor work allocations, as well as for predictive analytics to build future strategies. As our work continues to grow and expand, we are seeking a Business Analyst to join our team.

The primary accountabilities of this role are as follows:

1. Collects, analyzes, presents, and defends data that support GPO’s objectives of maximizing productivity; improving quality; and minimizing costs while maintaining industry position.
2. Performs all activities related to the collection, analysis, and reporting of operational performance metrics. Develops and maintains complete cost models for the division’s performance (by page and/or article) for all journals and books in the ACS Publications portfolio. Tracks actual monthly article and page receipts vs. forecasts and reporting on and analyzing variances.
3. Works with department leaders and managers to gather and document requirements and create Qlik dashboards and periodic and one-time reports.
4. Provides support to management in gathering, creating and validating financial and statistical information used in presentations.
5. Develops methods and models to predict key performance KPI’s and costs.
6. Provides recommendations regarding best practices and opportunities to increase efficiencies.
7. Works with ACS PUBS division partner departments, including technology teams, to create requirements for data repositories, prioritize these tasks, and test/monitor reporting. Examples include working with the vendor relations team to ensure vendor dashboards and reports in place; and working with the common data repository teams to provide data analysis and access to various key data points and working with Sales Operations to ensure alignment on all key metrics and costs.
8. Serves as a Project Manager, Lead, or SME for ad hoc activities in support of the department and the division. 

The anticipated work schedule is Monday through Friday, during core business hours. Work is expected to be performed on-site in Columbus at the headquarters of CAS, a Division of the American Chemical Society. Occasional travel may be required.
 

Required Skills:   

1. Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or comparable advanced degree preferred.
2. Current certification or the ability to obtain project management certification (PMP, Six Sigma, etc.) required.
3. Advanced proficiency in Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, and related Microsoft products. 
4. Knowledge of SQL, Qlik Sense (or other self-service analytics software), and Qlik N Printing with the aptitude to develop additional skill in these and other business analytics software applications.
5. Knowledge of journal publishing workflows and tools, (e.g., XML, desktop editors, editorial process, workflows etc.).
6. Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
7. Capacity to successfully engage in multiple initiatives simultaneously and self-manage to prioritize and complete work.
8. Adept at interacting vertically and horizontally, both internally and externally. Professional confidence and maturity to continuously demonstrate credibility and earn trust. 
9. Experienced in/exposure to project management methodologies including Agile and Waterfall.

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Required Experience:   

1. 3 years of experience in scientific journal production sufficient to have a moderate level of expertise/aptitude with respect to ACS publishing strategies and processes.
2. 1-2 years of business analysis experience and use and presentation of key performance metrics at an operational division level.
    

This position is based in the Columbus, Ohio office of ACS.  ACS employees work a hybrid work schedule, consisting of working onsite, three days per week. ACS employees are in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday with the third in-office day scheduled in consultation with the manager. While always welcome to work in the office, employees may work the other two days of the week from a location of their choice. New employees are immediately eligible for this hybrid work arrangement. ACS offers relocation assistance, if applicable.

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