Director of Institutional Research

Alvernia University•Reading, PA

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 serves as a primary resource for institutional data and research, ensuring information is accurate, consistent, accessible, and appropriately used to support planning, policy development, operational improvement, and evidence-based decision-making. The Director oversees institutional data collection, validation, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination; ensures compliance with external reporting requirements; and develops analytical tools to inform enrollment management, student success, academic program development, resource allocation, and institutional performance. In collaboration with academic and administrative leaders, the Director identifies research needs, develops performance measures, and translates complex data into actionable information. The role also supports assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, and continuous improvement. Leading a small institutional research office, the Director sets the function's strategic direction and manages day-to-day operations, including efficient processes, technology use, and supervision of assigned personnel. The Director performs other duties and responsibilities as reasonably assigned by the Provost and Chief Academic Officer.

Requirements

Commitment to the mission, core values, and goals of Alvernia University.
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 qualifications section 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, or a closely related area. The qualifications section also specifies at least five years of higher education work experience related to institutional research, assessment, evaluation, or program development.
Demonstrated 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, accreditation processes, and higher education policy.
Ability to translate complex data into clear, meaningful information that supports institutional planning and decision-making.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, project management, and communication skills, including interpersonal, oral, and written communication.
Ability to collaborate effectively with academic and administrative stakeholders, manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and manage interdisciplinary teams efficiently and effectively.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and ensure the integrity and responsible use of institutional information.
Demonstrated experience in oversight and problem-solving in complex organizations.
Advanced skills in research design, statistics, and data management in a higher education setting, and advanced knowledge of computer technology in a higher education setting.
Ability to perform 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 mission and ideals, 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; collaborate on data definitions, validation, reporting processes, and system integration.
Oversee the preparation, validation, and submission of reports required by government agencies, accreditors, higher education organizations, and other external constituencies.
Serve as the authoritative source for official institutional statistics and coordinate accurate, consistent, timely, and compliant reporting.
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 provide insights for planning and resource allocation.
Direct institutional research projects, surveys, and special studies; apply appropriate methodologies and statistical techniques and communicate findings and recommendations.
Collaborate with assessment, accreditation, and compliance offices and committees by providing research, data, analysis, and technical expertise for self-studies, reviews, program evaluations, and institutional effectiveness initiatives.
Provide analytical support for enrollment management, student success, academic program planning, recruitment, retention, program demand and viability, and institutional resource decisions.
Partner with faculty, staff, and administrators to identify research needs, interpret data, and develop approaches to measurement and evaluation; present information to university leadership, faculty, committees, and the Board of Trustees as appropriate.
Evaluate and advance research technologies, business intelligence tools, data visualization, automation, and analytical methods; develop scalable processes and documentation.
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 obligations with strategic projects and emerging priorities.
Serve on university committees and working groups as assigned and maintain knowledge of relevant trends, standards, regulations, and best practices.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as reasonably assigned by the Provost and Chief Academic Officer.