Executive Director of Institutional Research

Nevada System of Higher Education

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) seeks an Executive Director of Institutional Research for a renewable, full-time, non-tenured administrative position reporting to the Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs. The role may be physically located in Las Vegas or Reno, Nevada. NSHE comprises eight institutions—three universities, four community colleges, and a research institute—and serves more than 105,000 students and 15,000 employees. The Executive Director provides strategic direction for the Institutional Research department and connects NSHE’s data capabilities with the leaders who rely on them. The role ensures that NSHE leadership, the Board of Regents, and state policymakers receive accurate, timely, well-interpreted data; mandated reporting is completed on schedule; and systemwide data governance, privacy, quality, and security standards are established and upheld. The position leads data initiatives tied to the Success by Design strategic plan and represents NSHE in cross-agency and national data initiatives. The Executive Director oversees institutional research, data operations, reporting, data-sharing, and data privacy across the system. The role supervises departmental staff, supports institutional research capacity across NSHE, manages budgets for externally funded data projects, and works with state agencies and other partners. The position also shares responsibility for data warehouse operations, reporting tools, dashboards, and website and content-management-system maintenance, and produces or reviews SQL queries and reports as needed.

Requirements

Master’s degree from a federally recognized accredited institution in a relevant field, such as data science, statistics, education, public policy, or information systems.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, data analytics, or a closely related field, including supervisory experience.
Hands-on experience with SQL and relational databases.
Extensive understanding of data associated with secondary education.
Knowledge of institutional research practice and higher education data systems, including IPEDS, the National Student Clearinghouse, and statewide longitudinal data systems.
Knowledge of data governance, student data privacy, FERPA, and applicable state statutes.
Knowledge of NSHE structure, Board of Regents policy, and the state legislative and budget process.
Knowledge of research methodology and statistical techniques, from descriptive analysis to advanced data mining.
Data architecture and reporting technology knowledge sufficient to bridge communication between technical staff and cabinet-level leadership.
Knowledge of Nevada’s workforce data landscape, including statewide labor market projections, and K–12 education data systems and their integration with higher education.
Knowledge of data governance frameworks that support performance-based funding models and institutional accountability.
Ability to plan strategically and prioritize competing stakeholder demands.
Ability to build consensus and facilitate alignment among stakeholders with diverse or conflicting interests.
Ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff.
Ability to develop and manage budgets, including budgets for externally funded projects.
Advanced written and oral communication skills, including data storytelling for executive, Board, and legislative audiences.
Working proficiency with SQL, relational databases, and business intelligence tools such as Tableau, sufficient to write and review queries and maintain dashboards directly.
Working familiarity with web technologies such as HTML/CSS and PHP, sufficient to support website and content-management-system maintenance.
Ability to translate complex technical analyses into clear guidance for non-technical decision-makers.
Ability to distill large volumes of complex information into decision-ready insights.
Ability to exercise sound judgment when answers are not apparent and consequences are significant.
Ability to negotiate agreements that protect student privacy while enabling legitimate research and reporting.
Ability to manage competing priorities and stringent deadlines across simultaneous reporting cycles.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a higher education system office.
Experience with statewide longitudinal data systems.
Experience with Oracle, Tableau, and web technologies such as PHP, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript.

Responsibilities

Lead implementation of data initiatives tied to NSHE’s Success by Design strategic plan, tracking equity, access, completion, and workforce goals through data-informed metrics and systemwide reporting.
Direct the data lifecycle for informed decision-making, setting priorities and standards for data design, collection, analysis, reporting, and timely distribution.
Engage with NSHE leadership, the Board of Regents, and state legislators to explain available data and its use in policy and decision-making.
Serve as an expert resource during legislative sessions and Board of Regents meetings by providing testimony, briefings, and data-grounded policy analysis.
Identify external funding opportunities and provide data and research capacity to support institutional grant applications.
Represent NSHE in regional and national data and research networks and align systemwide practices with emerging standards.
Supervise the Senior Data Engineer and the department’s externally funded position, coordinate cross-training, and distribute shared production duties for data warehouse support, reporting, and website maintenance.
Develop succession and continuity plans to preserve departmental knowledge and critical functions during staff transitions.
Manage budgets for externally funded data projects, track expenditures, and prepare invoices and supporting documentation for funding partners.
Direct training, onboarding, and technical support for institutional research staff across NSHE to build capacity and promote consistent reporting practices.
Update report content as trends and needs change; determine necessary inclusions and available data; and build institutional consensus.
Support integration of systemwide tools and visualizations aligned with strategic-plan metrics and Board reporting priorities.
Lead process modernization and automation to improve efficiency and accuracy, including integration of AI where appropriate.
Manage and oversee comprehensive analysis and reporting for institutional needs, including enrollment trends, remedial programs, diversity initiatives, faculty workload, and other research requests.
Interpret complex data using techniques ranging from descriptive statistical analysis to advanced data mining.
Oversee Statewide Longitudinal Data System data exchange with the Nevada Department of Education and the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation; serve as the designated committee representative under NRS 400; and direct longitudinal reporting for secondary and postsecondary decision-makers.
Provide support to Academic and Student Affairs and Budget and Finance by directing fulfillment of data requests.
Ensure production of reporting mandated by Board policy or regulatory guidelines.
Negotiate, execute, and maintain data-sharing agreements and memoranda of understanding with state agencies, institutions, and research partners.
Serve as the accountable authority for student data privacy and ensure compliance with FERPA and applicable state statutes across data exchanges and releases.
Ensure data integrity and reporting standards through data security protocols and regular audits of key data elements.
Establish data validation rules, data definitions, and collection standards in collaboration with institutions.
Oversee data quality across NSHE institutional reporting and direct resolution of systemic data issues.
Represent the department to external data partners and governance bodies.
Share accountability with departmental staff for data warehouse operations, including institutional submission review, data-quality audits, and coverage of warehouse loads and file-submission portal processing during peak cycles and staff absences.
Produce scheduled and ad hoc reports when departmental capacity requires, including writing and reviewing SQL queries against the NSHE data warehouse and SLDS tables.
Share responsibility for maintaining the Institutional Research website, data dashboards, and CCN and APIS content-management systems; update content and review published material for accuracy, small-cell suppression, and accessibility.
Maintain sufficient working knowledge of departmental systems and processes to provide cross-trained backup and ensure no critical function depends on a single staff member.

Benefits

Comprehensive health insurance, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Employer-paid long-term disability plan.
401(a) Retirement Plan Alternative (RPA), with employee contributions of 19.25% matched 100% by the employer and immediate vesting; eligible employees may be able to continue in Nevada PERS.
Annual leave accruing at two days per month.
Sick leave, with 30 days granted at hire.
12 paid holidays.
Paid family leave.
Tuition savings benefit for employees and qualified dependents, subject to specified criteria.
Employee assistance programs.
Professional development opportunities.