Director of Institutional Research (IR)

Job Summary:

Under the leadership of the Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), the Director of Institutional Research serves as the university’s primary architect for evidence-based decision-making. The Director leads the planning, development, and implementation of data analysis and visualization to support both internal strategic initiatives and external compliance. A key function of this role is the translation of complex data into actionable insights for the University community, facilitating strategic planning, resource allocation, and enrollment management. The Director serves as a vital bridge between data systems and academic excellence, ensuring all stakeholders have the information necessary to drive student success. This position is 100% grant funded for a three-year period.

Essential Functions:

• Leads the collection, analysis, and communication of institutional data to support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and institutional self-assessment.

• Collaborates with the Executive Director of the CTL to integrate institutional research with faculty development and high-impact instructional practices.

• Oversees and ensures the accuracy of timely institutional responses to external agencies and federal/state mandates.

• Provides high-level support for the continued refinement and monitoring of the University’s Academic and Strategic Plans.

• Delivers accurate, visualized institutional information to university administrators, the external community, and regulatory agencies.

• Routinely updates and analyzes institutional strategic indicators and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

• Partners with University leadership to develop analytic approaches that support enrollment trends, learning outcomes assessment, and regional/specialized accreditation advancement.

• Initiates and performs original research and policy analyses relevant to institutional effectiveness and student retention.

• Coordinates and completes complex institutional responses to external queries including IPEDS, HEDS, faculty salary surveys, and consortium databases.

• Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Academic Affairs by ensuring data integrity and alignment with the University’s mission.

Minimum Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in a subject requiring knowledge and skills in data gathering, analysis, and reporting. 

• Two or more years of related work experience in assessment, institutional research, institutional effectiveness, research design, and implementation in a higher education setting, preferably with skills in predictive analytics. 

• Higher education experience strongly preferred. 

• Extensive experience in preparing various accreditation reports with regional and national agencies. 

• Experience producing year-round Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) reporting is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Advanced knowledge of data visualization, detailed analytics, and interactive dashboards (preferably Power BI) to design, enhance, and develop reports across platforms, including the creation of interactive dashboards. 

• Working knowledge of statistical analysis programs such as R, SAS, Python, Tableau, or equivalent. 

• Knowledge of relational databases and experience reporting from large databases (e.g. basic SQL querying). 

• Knowledge of and familiarity with higher education enterprise data systems and the ability to extract data and translate into useful academic reports. 

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook). 

• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. 

• Excellent written and verbal skills, including writing and editing research reports, creating charts and graphs with the ability to communicate effectively orally. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and flexibility in organizing priorities to meet organizational demands. 

• Working knowledge of survey development, distribution and analysis. 

• Ability to analyze operational data requirements and to create and develop databases specific to requirements. 

• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals. • Ability to handle highly sensitive/confidential information.

• Ability to exercise critical human relations skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, students, and the public.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• No

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

• Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a signification degree

Working Conditions and Environment:

• Work is routinely performed in a typical interior/office environment

• Very limited or no exposure to physical risk

EOE Statement

Harris-Stowe State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.