Senior Program Experience Researcher

Western Governors University•Salt Lake, UT

17h•Remote

About The Position

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career. Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families. The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: Grade: Professional 312 Pay Range: $106,700.00 - $165,400.00 Job Description The Senior Program Experience Researcher leads advanced qualitative and mixed methods research initiatives that inform the design, evaluation, and continuous improvement of educational programs. This role partners closely with Institutional Analytics and Research (IAR) to integrate quantitative data into qualitative insights and drive a comprehensive understanding of student experience and program effectiveness. Provides strategic research guidance, mentors junior researchers, and collaborates across Program Development and academic leadership to ensure data-informed decisions support institutional goals and student success.

Requirements

Advanced knowledge of qualitative research design and methodology, particularly in higher education settings.
Expertise in conducting and analyzing interviews, focus groups, observational studies, and thematic analysis.
Strong understanding of curriculum evaluation, instructional design, and student success frameworks.
Ability to contextualize and translate quantitative data from Institutional Analytics & Research (IAR) into qualitative inquiries and strategic recommendations.
Familiarity with program evaluation models and continuous improvement processes.
Deep understanding of student development theory, learner engagement strategies, and barriers to progression in online or hybrid programs.
Awareness of ethical standards and regulatory requirements governing educational research.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex research into actionable insights for diverse audiences.
Proficiency in qualitative research tools (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose, or similar platforms); familiarity with mixed-methods integration.
Ability to lead projects independently, prioritize research efforts, and mentor junior team members.
Skilled in cross-functional collaboration with academic leadership, instructional design teams, faculty, and data analysts.
Strategic thinking with the ability to identify emerging trends, research opportunities, and data-informed improvements.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and learner-centered research practices.
Master’s degree in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, or a related field required
5 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 3+ years with a master’s degree, or doctoral degree.
5 years of experience in program evaluation, educational research, or a related field, preferably within higher education.
Demonstrated expertise in qualitative research design, execution, and analysis.
Experience working with cross-functional teams and translating research findings into operational or strategic improvements.
Familiarity with program evaluation frameworks, curriculum design, and student-success research in online or hybrid education environments.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Education, Research Methods, Psychology, Social Sciences, or a related field.
Experience developing or evaluating online educational programs and instructional design approaches.
Certification or formal training in program evaluation, assessment, or accreditation processes.
Familiarity with learning analytics, student success metrics, and LMS platforms.
Proficiency in additional research or data tools (e.g., Tableau, Python, SQL)
Experience in UX and UI design and research a plus
Record of scholarly activity through publications, presentations, or professional association involvement.
Experience implementing quality assurance or continuous improvement initiatives in academic settings.
Demonstrated ability to support inclusive, student-centered program development through research and analysis.

Responsibilities

Leads the design and implementation of qualitative and mixed method research studies to assess program effectiveness, student experience, and curriculum alignment.
Conducts interviews, focus groups, surveys, and observational studies to collect rich, actionable data.
Develops and refines qualitative research frameworks for both formative and summative program evaluation.
Analyzes data using established methods (e.g., thematic analysis, coding) to surface insights and patterns.
Evaluates the effectiveness of educational programs using qualitative data and feedback.
Assesses alignment between curriculum design and actual student experience.
Identifies barriers to learning, engagement, and progression through direct student and stakeholder input.
Studies and reports on emerging instructional practices and their impact on student outcomes.
Leads research into innovative educational methodologies, tools, and technologies in online/hybrid environments.
Studies and recommends evidence-based practices to enhance learning, engagement, and assessment.
Guides program teams in implementing improvements based on research findings.
Champions the role of qualitative research in driving continuous program improvement and strategic planning.