Data Analysis and Institutional Research Officer

Mitchell Hamline School of Law•St Paul, MN

5d•$80,000 - $100,000

About The Position

Mitchell Hamline School of Law is seeking a full time Data Analysis and Institutional Research Officer. This position is responsible for leading data analysis efforts within the institution, ensuring robust compliance with accrediting bodies like the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the American Bar Association (ABA). This role combines expertise in institutional research, data analysis, and accreditation processes, with a focus on utilizing data to drive institutional improvement, strategic planning, and accreditation readiness. A key aspect of this role is fostering cross-departmental collaboration to integrate data-informed insights and enhance reporting systems that support the accreditation process and institutional goals. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Accreditation Leadership and Compliance Serve as the lead point of contact for all accreditation matters, liaising with accrediting bodies (ABA, HLC, U.S. Department of Education) and internal stakeholders to ensure adherence to accreditation standards and compliance obligations. Provide expert consultation to senior leadership, faculty, and staff on accreditation processes, ensuring alignment with both regulatory expectations and institutional goals. Lead efforts to prepare for accreditation site visits, ensuring departments are fully aligned with accreditation standards and armed with evidence-based, data-informed documentation. Oversee the preparation of detailed accreditation reports and self-study documents, ensuring that all submissions meet accreditation criteria and include accurate, transparent data. Data Stewardship and Strategic Reporting Lead the design, development, and ongoing management of institutional dashboards that track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as enrollment, retention, academic performance, student success, and post-graduation outcomes. Expertly analyze complex data from the Student Information System (SIS) to support strategic decision-making and provide actionable insights to improve student outcomes, program performance, and institutional effectiveness. Synthesize large volumes of institutional data, generating reports and presentations that drive strategic planning, continuous improvement initiatives, and institutional assessments. Use advanced data analysis techniques to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement, supporting data-informed decision-making across the institution. Cross Departmental Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with academic departments, administration, and external accrediting bodies to ensure alignment on accreditation processes, deadlines, and reporting requirements. Serve as the primary resource for faculty and staff on data-related accreditation needs, ensuring that all departments are equipped with the information necessary to meet compliance and reporting standards. Engage with leadership and department heads to promote a culture of data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement through collaborative discussions and data sharing. Institutional Research and Data-Informed Process Optimization Engage in institutional research initiatives, leveraging SIS and other data systems to conduct thorough analyses of student performance, program effectiveness, and institutional outcomes. Identify inefficiencies and gaps in existing data management, reporting, and accreditation processes, and recommend data-informed solutions to improve workflows, enhance reporting accuracy, and streamline compliance procedures. Maintain a comprehensive data repository that ensures accuracy, security, and accessibility for all accreditation and reporting purposes. Training, Support, and Institutional Development Develop and implement training programs to educate staff and faculty on data usage, institutional research practices, and accreditation-related reporting. Provide support during accreditation reviews, ensuring that all necessary data are easily accessible, accurate, and aligned with accreditation requirements. Collaborate on workforce development strategies, leveraging institutional data to support retention, succession planning, and employee development initiatives. Additional Duties Lead ad-hoc data analysis for special projects related to accreditation, institutional planning, and student success. Stay current with emerging trends in accreditation, data analysis technologies, and regulatory changes, ensuring the institution maintains compliance and best practices. Other Duties as assigned by Senior Leadership. An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Requirements

Expertise in data analysis and reporting within a higher education context, with a deep understanding of using Student Information Systems (SIS) for advanced data querying, manipulation, and reporting.
Advanced proficiency with data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or similar, enabling the creation of intuitive dashboards and reports that communicate complex data insights clearly and effectively.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to extract actionable insights from large datasets and deliver those insights to senior leadership, faculty, and external stakeholders.
Proven ability to lead data-informed initiatives and collaborate effectively with departments across the institution to ensure alignment of accreditation and compliance goals.
Deep knowledge of accreditation and compliance standards, including those from the ABA, HLC, U.S. Department of Education, MN Office of Higher Education, and other regulatory bodies, and the ability to leverage data to meet these requirements.
An ability to communicate complex data concepts to non-technical stakeholders, ensuring that all parties understand the implications of the data and how it supports accreditation and institutional goals.
Bachelor's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Analytics, Data Science, Institutional Research, or a related field.
3-5 years of hands-on experience leveraging Student Information Systems (SIS) for data analysis, reporting, and accreditation compliance in a higher education setting.
Advanced knowledge of SIS systems and data structures, with the ability to manipulate and analyze complex datasets to support decision-making and accreditation processes.
Proficiency in advanced data analysis and reporting tools, such as Excel, Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms.
Experience with accreditation processes, especially in higher education, including preparing reports, self-studies, and site visit preparations.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Institutional Research, Higher Education Administration, Data Science, or a related field.
5+ years of experience in institutional research, data analysis, or accreditation within higher education, including extensive use of SIS for complex reporting and data analytics.
Familiarity with advanced statistical analysis techniques and experience with tools such as SQL, R, or Python for data manipulation.
Experience with accreditation processes, including preparing and submitting data for ABA or HLC accreditation, and responding to site visit feedback.
Certification in data analysis or institutional research (e.g., Certified Institutional Researcher, Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional).
Previous experience with curriculum design and program evaluation.

Responsibilities

Accreditation Leadership and Compliance Serve as the lead point of contact for all accreditation matters, liaising with accrediting bodies (ABA, HLC, U.S. Department of Education) and internal stakeholders to ensure adherence to accreditation standards and compliance obligations.
Provide expert consultation to senior leadership, faculty, and staff on accreditation processes, ensuring alignment with both regulatory expectations and institutional goals.
Lead efforts to prepare for accreditation site visits, ensuring departments are fully aligned with accreditation standards and armed with evidence-based, data-informed documentation.
Oversee the preparation of detailed accreditation reports and self-study documents, ensuring that all submissions meet accreditation criteria and include accurate, transparent data.
Lead the design, development, and ongoing management of institutional dashboards that track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as enrollment, retention, academic performance, student success, and post-graduation outcomes.
Expertly analyze complex data from the Student Information System (SIS) to support strategic decision-making and provide actionable insights to improve student outcomes, program performance, and institutional effectiveness.
Synthesize large volumes of institutional data, generating reports and presentations that drive strategic planning, continuous improvement initiatives, and institutional assessments.
Use advanced data analysis techniques to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement, supporting data-informed decision-making across the institution.
Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with academic departments, administration, and external accrediting bodies to ensure alignment on accreditation processes, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
Serve as the primary resource for faculty and staff on data-related accreditation needs, ensuring that all departments are equipped with the information necessary to meet compliance and reporting standards.
Engage with leadership and department heads to promote a culture of data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement through collaborative discussions and data sharing.
Engage in institutional research initiatives, leveraging SIS and other data systems to conduct thorough analyses of student performance, program effectiveness, and institutional outcomes.
Identify inefficiencies and gaps in existing data management, reporting, and accreditation processes, and recommend data-informed solutions to improve workflows, enhance reporting accuracy, and streamline compliance procedures.
Maintain a comprehensive data repository that ensures accuracy, security, and accessibility for all accreditation and reporting purposes.
Develop and implement training programs to educate staff and faculty on data usage, institutional research practices, and accreditation-related reporting.
Provide support during accreditation reviews, ensuring that all necessary data are easily accessible, accurate, and aligned with accreditation requirements.
Collaborate on workforce development strategies, leveraging institutional data to support retention, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
Lead ad-hoc data analysis for special projects related to accreditation, institutional planning, and student success.
Stay current with emerging trends in accreditation, data analysis technologies, and regulatory changes, ensuring the institution maintains compliance and best practices.
Other Duties as assigned by Senior Leadership.