Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness Job Decatur area,Georgia USA,Education / Teaching

Office: Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness

Reports to: Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Board

Work Period: 12-month

Hours: Full-time

Overtime: Exempt

Job Grade: 10

General Summary

The Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness leads the collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data in support of evidence-based decision making, strategic planning, assessment, accreditation, and policy development. The Director serves as the college's primary steward of institutional data and intelligence, advancing a culture of inquiry and data-informed practice across all divisions. The role is also responsible for compliance within the guidelines of federal, state, and local laws, and office, division and college policies and procedures.

This position reports to the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Board and collaborates broadly with faculty, staff, cabinet leadership, the Board of Trustees, and external constituents.

Essential Job Functions

Serve as the college's central resource for institutional data and intelligence-collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and contextualizing information on students, faculty, staff, alumnae, curricula, finances, and other institutional matters.

Lead the preparation and submission of required external reports, including IPEDS and guidebook surveys (e.g., U.S. News & World Report, Princeton Review), ensuring accuracy, appropriate contextualization, and timeliness.

Maintain the OIRE web presence, making available the Fact Book, Common Data Set, and required information on student achievement.

Design, administer, and oversee a regular cycle of institutional surveys; ensure results are effectively integrated into assessment, planning, and institutional improvement efforts.

Advance data governance by participating in the development and implementation of policies and practices that ensure the integrity, security, and appropriate use of institutional data.

Provide strategic leadership for institutional effectiveness and overseeing the Director of Institutional Assessment in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive assessment program by partnering with the Office of Academic Affairs.

Support student success initiatives by analyzing goals and outcomes, evaluating their alignment with mission and strategy, monitoring benchmarks, and recommending evidence-based measurement and evaluation approaches.

Other Job Functions

Lead and execute special projects commissioned by college leadership, translating complex data into actionable intelligence and decision support.

Serve on institutional committees and working groups related to planning, data governance, and strategic planning.

Monitor trends, challenges, and innovations in higher education; anticipate future data and research needs; and advise leadership proactively.

Provide expert consultation on the design, analysis, and reporting of ad hoc research and assessment studies.

Build and sustain a collaborative, data-literate institutional culture through proactive communication, training, and information sharing.

Provide ongoing supervision of the Director of Institutional Assessment and any student workers assigned to the office.

Requirements

Education
:
Master's-level credential in research, measurement, assessment and/or evaluation, or any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position. PhD or EdD preferred.

Experience
:
Minimum of three years of professional experience in higher education research and planning.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Demonstrated expertise in higher education research methods, data analysis, and applied statistics, with the ability to translate findings for non-technical audiences.
Proficiency in data collection, synthesis, interpretation, and presentation, including experience developing dashboards and data visualizations.
Working knowledge of higher education enterprise systems (e.g., Banner or similar ERP) and familiarity with database structure and query tools (e.g., SQL).
Familiarity with IPEDS, SACSCOC accreditation standards, and other relevant federal, state, and regional reporting requirements.
Broad knowledge of current trends and issues in higher education, including student success frameworks, enrollment management, and institutional effectiveness practices.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across an institution-with faculty, staff, senior leadership, and governing board members-exercising sound judgment in matters of confidentiality and prioritization.
Skilled communicator, with the ability to present complex analytical material clearly in both written and oral forms to audiences with varying levels of data literacy.
Exceptional attention to detail and a demonstrated commitment to the accuracy, integrity, and ethical use of data.
Strong initiative, intellectual curiosity, and capacity for self-directed work in a fast-paced environment with competing…