Director of Institutional Research

Description

The Director of Institutional Research will play a pivotal role in supporting the College's mission through the strategic collection, analysis, and dissemination of institutional data. This position involves collaborating with senior leadership, academic departments, and administrative units to inform decision-making, ensure compliance, and enhance the College's effectiveness in achieving its goals. The Director will oversee a team of research professionals, ensure data integrity, and provide leadership in the development and execution of a comprehensive institutional research agenda.

Examples of Duties

• Strategic Leadership:
  • Develop and execute a strategic vision for the Office of Institutional Research that aligns with the College's mission and goals.
  • Advise College leadership on issues related to the College as well as state, federal, and accrediting agency compliance reporting.
• Data Analysis and Reporting:
  • Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data related to student enrollment, retention, graduation rates, faculty demographics, and other key performance indicators.
  • Write and update SQL queries based on reporting requirements, extracting data in specified formats for internal and external reporting.
  • Analyze compliance reporting processes and implement efficient procedures to meet state, federal, and accrediting agency requirements.
  • Use statistical software to analyze complex data sets, applying research methods, quantitative and qualitative analyses, and other statistical techniques.
  • Develop and maintain institutional dashboards and reports for use by senior leadership, trustees, and other stakeholders.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and accreditation reporting requirements, including IPEDS and other regulatory bodies.
• Collaboration and Communication:
  • Work collaboratively with staff to identify, evaluate, and respond to state, federal, and accrediting agency compliance reporting requirements.
  • Employ effective communication strategies that foster productive working relationships with external reporting agencies and College staff regarding operational compliance.
  • Maintain effective relationships with the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and other accrediting agencies.
  • Assist the Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness and the leadership team in summarizing and presenting information from internal/external data sources, providing interpretations of data to inform decision-making.
  • Communicate with Institutional Effectiveness leadership to provide data that informs decisions and real-time answers to questions related to College operations.
  • Serve on internal and external committees and boards as directed.
• Data Governance and Integrity:
  • Establish and enforce data governance standards to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and security of institutional data.
  • Collaborate with IT and other data stewards to implement best practices in data management and reporting.
• Project Management:
  • Employ effective project planning and management techniques to support the accurate and timely completion of assigned responsibilities.
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting strict deadlines.
  • Manage the Institutional Research department's budget and resources effectively.
• Supervision and Development:
  • Lead and mentor a team of research analysts and data professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
  • Manage an Institutional Research Specialist and ensure their alignment with departmental goals.
• Benchmarking and Best Practices:
  • Stay current on trends that affect higher education, assisting Institutional Effectiveness leadership in addressing issues such as Outcomes Assessment, Course Evaluation, Data Warehousing, and Accreditation.
  • Engage with peer institutions and professional organizations to benchmark the College’s performance and stay informed of best practices in institutional research.
  • Drive innovation in the use of data analytics, predictive modeling, and other advanced research techniques.
• Confidentiality and Compliance:
  • Maintain the confidentiality of information and ensure compliance with relevant policies and regulations.
  • Ability to work additional hours as needed.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

• Education:
  • Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Higher Education, Statistics, Data Science, Public Policy, or a related discipline is required.
• Experience:
  • A minimum of 5-10 years of experience in institutional research, data analysis, or a related field, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
  • Demonstrated experience in designing and executing complex research studies and surveys.
  • Proven track record of using data to drive strategic planning and decision-making in a higher education setting.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proven advanced working knowledge of SQL queries and statistical packages such as SPSS, SAS, and R.
  • Familiarity with Tableau dashboard and data visualization tools.
  • Experience with enterprise data systems and student information systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Banner).
  • General knowledge of survey administration and analysis techniques, including statistics or social science research methods; experience with Qualtrics or other survey tools is a plus.
• Leadership and Interpersonal Skills:
  • Strong leadership abilities with experience in managing and developing high-performing teams.
  • Excellent communication, written, interpersonal, and public speaking skills, with the ability to present complex data in a clear and compelling manner.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including senior administrators, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Knowledge:
  • Deep understanding of higher education policies, trends, and challenges.
  • Familiarity with accreditation processes and regulatory requirements in higher education.
  • Commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of institutional research and data analysis.
• Personal Attributes:
  • Detail-oriented with a proven track record of producing high-quality work.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of operational systems and their impact on data integrity.
  • Must successfully pass a criminal background check.

Supplemental Information

Preferred Qualifications

• 
  Advanced Analytics:
  • Experience with predictive analytics, machine learning, and other advanced quantitative methods.
• Project Management:
  • Certification in project management (e.g., PMP) or experience with project management software.
• Professional Engagement:
  • Active participation in relevant professional organizations such as the Association for Institutional Research (AIR).
• Education:
  • Doctoral Degree and three years' experience in institutional research, assessment and/or planning.
  • Experience developing and managing budgets and the grant proposal process.
  • A leadership style that emphasizes collaboration, team building, and accessibility.
• STATUS/BENEFITS: This is a full-time Administrator position for 40 hours per week. Board approval is required. The salary is $80,000 with the following employee benefits: $14,556 Annual Flexible Health Benefit: • 15 Vacation, 12 Medical and 3 Personal Days Earned within First Year of Employment • 16 Holidays, 5 Winter break days, 4-Day Summer Workweek.