Job Summary:
The Director of Institutional Research provides leadership for the University's institutional research, data analysis, and reporting functions in support of its mission, strategic priorities, and institutional effectiveness. The Director serves as a primary resource for institutional data and research, ensuring the accuracy, consistency, accessibility, and appropriate use of information to support planning, policy development, operational improvement, and evidence-based decision-making.
The Director oversees the collection, validation, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data; ensures compliance with federal, state, accreditation, and other external reporting requirements; and develops research and analytical tools that inform enrollment management, student success, academic program development, resource allocation, and institutional performance.
Working collaboratively with academic and administrative leadership, the Director identifies institutional research needs, develops meaningful measures of performance, and translates complex data into actionable information. The Director also provides research and analytical support for institutional assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
As the leader of a small institutional research office, the Director is responsible for both the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the function, including the development of efficient processes, effective use of technology, and supervision of assigned personnel.
Essential Functions:
1. Mission and Institutional Commitment
Promote Franciscan ideals and adherence to the mission of the University as demonstrated by the University Ideal Characteristics. All employees share responsibility for advancing the University's commitment to respect for all, service orientation, intellectual curiosity, innovation, solution-focused approaches, and mutual accountability.
2. Institutional Research and Strategic Decision Support
Lead the University's institutional research function by identifying, developing, and implementing research and analytical initiatives that support institutional priorities, strategic planning, policy development, and operational effectiveness. Provide leadership with meaningful analysis of institutional performance, emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges to inform decisions and continuous improvement.
3. Institutional Data Management, Integrity, and Governance
Provide leadership in establishing and maintaining reliable, consistent, and appropriately governed institutional data. Collaborate with information technology and university departments to strengthen data definitions, validation practices, reporting processes, and the integration of information across institutional systems. Promote effective data stewardship, appropriate access, confidentiality, and consistent institutional reporting.
4. Institutional Reporting and External Compliance
Oversee the preparation, validation, and submission of institutional data and reports required by federal and state agencies, accrediting bodies, higher education organizations, and other external constituencies. Serve as the University's authoritative source for official institutional statistics and coordinate reporting practices to ensure accuracy, consistency, timeliness, and compliance with applicable requirements.
5. Institutional Analytics and Performance Measurement
Develop and maintain analytical resources, dashboards, institutional profiles, benchmarking studies, and performance indicators that support evaluation of institutional progress. Analyze enrollment, retention, persistence, completion, student outcomes, academic programs, and other measures of institutional effectiveness. Identify trends and provide insights that support proactive planning, intervention, and resource allocation.
6. Research, Surveys, and Institutional Studies
Direct the design, administration, and analysis of institutional research projects, surveys, and special studies that address university priorities and emerging information needs. Apply appropriate research methodologies and statistical techniques to evaluate institutional practices, student experiences, program outcomes, and organizational effectiveness. Communicate findings and recommendations to appropriate stakeholders.
7. Assessment, Accreditation, and Continuous Improvement Support
Collaborate with the Office of Institutional Assessment, Accreditation, and Compliance offices and committees responsible for institutional assessment, academic assessment, accreditation, and compliance to provide research, institutional data, analysis, and technical expertise. Support institutional self-studies, accreditation reviews, academic program evaluations, and other institutional effectiveness initiatives through the development and interpretation of appropriate evidence and performance measures.
8. Enrollment, Student Success, and Academic Planning
Partner with academic and administrative leadership to provide research and analytical support for enrollment management, student success initiatives, academic program planning, and institutional resource decisions. Develop analyses that inform student recruitment, retention and persistence strategies, program demand and viability, student outcomes, and opportunities for institutional growth and improvement.
9. Institutional Collaboration and Communication
Serve as a university-wide resource and strategic partner to faculty, staff, and administrators in identifying research needs, interpreting institutional data, and developing effective approaches to measurement and evaluation. Present complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including university leadership, faculty, committees, and the Board of Trustees, as appropriate.
10. Technology, Innovation, and Research Capacity
Evaluate and advance the use of institutional research technologies, business intelligence tools, data visualization, automation, and emerging analytical methods to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and usefulness of institutional information. Develop scalable processes and documentation that strengthen the University's institutional research capacity and support evolving data needs.
11. Office Leadership and Administration
Oversee the operations, priorities, resources, and work processes of the Office of Institutional Research. Establish appropriate procedures, reporting calendars, documentation, and quality controls to ensure timely and reliable delivery of institutional research services. Supervise, train, and develop assigned staff, graduate assistants, student employees, or other personnel as applicable. Balance recurring institutional obligations with strategic research projects and emerging university priorities.
12. University Service and Professional Engagement
Serve on university committees and working groups as assigned, providing expertise in institutional research, data analysis, and institutional effectiveness. Maintain knowledge of emerging trends, professional standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in higher education institutional research.
Additional Responsibilities
Perform other duties and responsibilities as reasonably assigned by the Provost and Chief Academic Officer.
Required Qualifications
- Commitment to the mission, core values, and goals of Alvernia University.
- Bachelor's degree in institutional research, statistics, data analytics, educational research, social sciences, higher education administration, or a related field with significant quantitative preparation.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, higher education analytics, institutional effectiveness, or a closely related area.
- Demonstrated expertise in research design, quantitative analysis, statistical methods, data interpretation, and institutional reporting.
- Experience working with complex data systems, including data extraction, validation, integration, analysis, and reporting.
- Knowledge of higher education reporting requirements, institutional performance measures, and accreditation processes.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into clear, meaningful information that supports institutional planning and decision-making.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with academic and administrative stakeholders and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and ensure the integrity and responsible use of institutional information.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in a related field.
- Experience leading or managing an institutional research function in a college or university.
- Experience with federal and state higher education reporting, including IPEDS, and reporting to institutional accreditors.
- Experience with student information systems, business intelligence and data visualization platforms, survey research tools, and statistical analysis software.
- Experience developing dashboards, institutional performance indicators, benchmarking analyses, and predictive or longitudinal studies.
- Experience supervising professional staff or coordinating the work of cross-functional teams.
- Familiarity with emerging technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence applications in institutional research and analytics.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to work for extended periods at a computer and perform duties requiring sustained attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a dynamic university environment.
- Ability to participate in meetings and collaborate with university stakeholders in person and through electronic communication.
- Ability to lift up to 15 pounds as needed.
Qualifications/Education:
- Commitment to the mission statement, core values and goals of Alvernia University.
- Bachelor's degree with a strong quantitative background.
- Minimum 5 years of higher education work experience related to institutional research, assessment, evaluation, program development
- Demonstrated experience in oversight and problem solving in complex organizations
- Evidence of knowledge and capabilities in higher education policy and accreditation
- Advanced skills in research design, statistics, and data management in a higher-education setting
- Advanced knowledge of computer technology in a higher education setting
- Demonstrated skills to manage interdisciplinary teams efficiently and effectively
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, oral, and written communication skills
