Director of Institutional Research

Alvernia University•Reading, PA

23h

About The Position

The Director of Institutional Research provides leadership for Alvernia University's institutional research, data analysis, and reporting functions in support of its mission, strategic priorities, and institutional effectiveness. The Director is a primary resource for institutional data and research, ensuring information is accurate, consistent, accessible, and appropriately used for planning, policy development, operational improvement, and evidence-based decision-making. The role oversees the collection, validation, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data; ensures compliance with external reporting requirements; and develops research and analytical resources that inform enrollment management, student success, academic program development, resource allocation, and institutional performance. Working with academic and administrative leaders, the Director identifies research needs, develops performance measures, and translates complex data into actionable information. The Director also supports assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, and continuous improvement. As leader of a small institutional research office, the Director sets strategic direction and manages day-to-day operations, processes, technology, and assigned personnel. The Director performs other duties as reasonably assigned by the Provost and Chief Academic Officer.

Requirements

Commitment to Alvernia University's mission, core values, and goals.
Bachelor's degree in institutional research, statistics, data analytics, educational research, social sciences, higher education administration, or a related field with significant quantitative preparation; the posting also specifies a bachelor's degree with a strong quantitative background.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, higher education analytics, institutional effectiveness, assessment, evaluation, program development, or a closely related area.
Expertise in research design, quantitative analysis, statistical methods, data interpretation, and institutional reporting.
Experience with complex data systems, including data extraction, validation, integration, analysis, and reporting.
Knowledge of higher education reporting requirements, institutional performance measures, and accreditation processes.
Ability to translate complex data into clear, meaningful information that supports institutional planning and decision-making.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, project management, interpersonal, oral, written, and communication skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with academic and administrative stakeholders, manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and manage interdisciplinary teams efficiently and effectively.
Demonstrated experience in oversight and problem-solving in complex organizations.
Knowledge of 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.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and ensure the integrity and responsible use of institutional information.
Ability to perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation; work for extended periods at a computer; sustain attention to detail; participate in meetings and collaborate in person and electronically; and lift up to 15 pounds as needed.

Nice To Haves

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 cross-functional teams.
Familiarity with emerging technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence applications in institutional research and analytics.

Responsibilities

Promote the University's Franciscan ideals and mission, including respect for all, service orientation, intellectual curiosity, innovation, solution-focused approaches, and mutual accountability.
Lead institutional research initiatives supporting institutional priorities, strategic planning, policy development, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
Establish and maintain reliable, consistent, and appropriately governed institutional data in collaboration with information technology and university departments.
Strengthen data definitions, validation practices, reporting processes, and integration of information across institutional systems; promote data stewardship, appropriate access, confidentiality, and consistent reporting.
Oversee preparation, validation, and submission of required reports to federal and state agencies, accrediting bodies, higher education organizations, and other external constituencies.
Serve as the authoritative source for official institutional statistics and coordinate accurate, consistent, timely, and compliant reporting practices.
Develop and maintain analytical resources, dashboards, institutional profiles, benchmarking studies, and performance indicators.
Analyze enrollment, retention, persistence, completion, student outcomes, academic programs, and other measures of institutional effectiveness; identify trends and inform planning, intervention, and resource allocation.
Direct institutional research projects, surveys, and special studies; apply appropriate methodologies and statistical techniques and communicate findings and recommendations.
Support institutional assessment, academic assessment, accreditation, compliance, self-studies, accreditation reviews, and academic program evaluations with data, analysis, evidence, and technical expertise.
Partner with academic and administrative leadership on enrollment management, student success, academic program planning, and resource decisions.
Develop analyses informing recruitment, retention, persistence, program demand and viability, student outcomes, and opportunities for institutional growth and improvement.
Serve as a university-wide resource for faculty, staff, and administrators in identifying research needs, interpreting data, and developing measurement and evaluation approaches.
Present complex information clearly to university leadership, faculty, committees, and the Board of Trustees, as appropriate.
Evaluate and advance research technologies, business intelligence tools, data visualization, automation, and emerging analytical methods.
Develop scalable processes and documentation that strengthen institutional research capacity and support evolving data needs.
Oversee the Office of Institutional Research's operations, priorities, resources, work processes, procedures, reporting calendars, documentation, and quality controls.
Supervise, train, and develop assigned staff, graduate assistants, student employees, or other personnel as applicable.
Balance recurring institutional obligations with strategic projects and emerging university priorities.
Serve on university committees and working groups as assigned and maintain knowledge of emerging trends, professional standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as reasonably assigned by the Provost and Chief Academic Officer.