Director of Institutional Research

Thomas University is offering the chance to learn, grow, and make a contribution to the community, as the Director of Institutional Research. Thomas University offers career opportunities, great benefits, an environment that welcomes and values creativity, and a work experience that is both challenging and rewarding! 

Summary: 

The Director of Institutional Research provides leadership in all phases of institutional research and helps ensure compliance with accreditation standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) by assisting in the development and management of strategies and activities that promote institutional effectiveness. The Director will provide leadership with sustaining approaches that ensure comprehensive institutional research methods are implemented to support the University’s mission and strategic goals. The Director will design activities to accurately collect and analyze institutional data, and produce reports and information required for institutional planning and effectiveness; institutional compliance with federal, state and external entity reports; and, all other institutional research and survey initiatives as required. 

The Director of Institutional Research is expected to participate actively in establishing a culture of evidence throughout the Thomas University “community” and provide leadership in managing institution-wide data and analytical requirements, and orchestrating the economics of institutional research in balancing information supply and demand. Additionally, the Director of Institutional Research is expected to work across the institution and in partnership with the Business Intelligence Unit to increase collaboration and consistency regarding the use of data, as well as, to better articulate data requirements; ensure data integrity; and, to anticipate stakeholder questions and needs. The Director will serve to assist the Accreditation Liaison with data reporting and filings to SACSCOC and help to lead accreditation coordination, assist in providing information for academic compliance reporting, and manage the University’s strategic data management system. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

· Coordinate and administer the University’s institutional research activities including collecting, analyzing, interpreting and reporting information for informed decision making 

· Collaborate with Academic Affairs Department to provide information to support institutional and discipline specific accreditation, institutional assessment (e.g., student success for consumer information reporting requirements) and institutional evaluation initiatives (e.g., end of course survey administration; student perspectives survey; etc.) 

· Perform and document high-level database queries, using both legacy and new technologies; input and extract data from various internal and external sources (e.g., Data Warehouse, the National Clearinghouse, GICA and IPEDS) 

· Develop, manage and implement data collection instruments (i.e., surveys for external and internal stakeholders as assigned and approved) 

· Ensure accurate and timely submission of reports to external agencies 

· Develop and publish standard institutional statistics in the form of a (digital) fact-book that can be used as reference by stakeholders and the public 

· Coordinate special projects including quantitative and qualitative research studies to address decision-making needs of the University and as assigned by the VP of Institutional Effectiveness and Research 

· Organize, prioritize, evaluate and respond to ad hoc data requests 

· Develop and maintain a system of documentation of activities and processes related to the areas of institutional effectiveness and accreditation 

· Provide appropriate reporting that supports strategic planning and institutional accreditation 

· Prepare state, federal, and University accountability reports (directly and indirectly related to institutional accreditation) according to documented requirements, ensuring accuracy and timeliness (e.g., reports related to Consumer Information and Students Right to Know) 

· Provide information to maintain the Institutional Research presence on the University’s website 

· Understand and assist with the management of TU SPOL digital planning and management system 

· Understand and perform annual data reporting using the University’s SACSCOC accreditation portals 

· Understand and manage the University’s course evaluation/survey system and distribute the evaluation results in the form of annual course summary reports to program directors 

Other Responsibilities: 

· Understand and apply legal and ethical components involved in conducting research and analysis (e.g., FERPA, human subjects, conflict of interest, etc.) 

· Provide consultation to University’s personnel on research methodology, data management, analysis and interpretation—upon request 

· Responsible for preparing budgets and the management of financial operations of the Institutional Research department in accordance with the University’s guidelines and policies 

· Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Additional activities, duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice to meet the University’s needs 

Supervisory Responsibilities: None 

Required Qualifications/Education and Experience: 

· Master’s Degree from accredited institution in Research Design, Educational Research, Statistics or related field. Doctorate preferred. 

· Minimum experience of two years in research design, planning, assessment and evaluation activities in higher education. Four-year institution experience preferred. 

· Experience in research methodology, including standard qualitative and quantitative methods and procedures applied to education 

· Experience collecting, maintaining and analyzing data required for strategic planning and institutional effectiveness initiatives 

· Demonstrated knowledge and experience with instructional program review and all levels of institutional assessment 

· Knowledge of higher education and federal reporting requirements/regulations 

· Knowledge of questionnaire design and survey methodology 

· Experience working with and extracting data from a student information system (e.g., Jenzabar One ERP) 

Proficiencies: 

· Ability to function independently 

· Excellent analytical/data interpretation skills 

· Proficiency in data collection, analysis and interpretation tools 

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, ACCES), SQL databases and SPSS statistical software 

· Ability to derive and present data into different formats and present in a media based on the needs of different requirements 

· Ability to manage confidential data/communication 

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administration, faculty, staff, students and the public 

· Ability to plan, organize and complete multiple responsibilities within required timelines. 

· Strong oral, written, interpersonal, communication, analytical, and presentation skills 

· Relationship building 

· Obtaining consensus 

· Ability to develop and pursue professional development opportunities to keep skills current 

· Proficiency with using remote communication tools such as Teams and Zoom 

Environmental Factors/Physical Demands/Terms of Employment: 

Work is performed in an office and—as needed—in an online environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to have the ability to maintain active employee communication, and; access, input and retrieve information from the computer system. May be subject to: bending, reaching, kneeling, stooping and lifting up to thirty (30) pounds. 

This is an administrative, full-time, 12 months, salaried, exempt position. The position is a minimum of 40 hours per week with full benefits. Office working hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday; possible weekends and evenings. Must be able to pass and maintain a favorable background investigation. 

Thomas University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.