Director of Data Analysis, Strategy, & Institutional Research

Director of Data Analysis, Strategy, and Institutional Research

The University of Alaska invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of Data Analysis, Strategy, and Institutional Research. As a pivotal leader within the System Office, you won't just manage data—you will help shape higher education policy, drive strategic decision-making, and tell the story of higher education's impact across the entire state of Alaska. Reporting directly to the Vice President & Chief Academic Officer, you will serve as a trusted strategic thought partner to Executive Leadership and provide a vision for and oversight of institutional research and effectiveness personnel and initiatives.

The position requires a skilled "thinker-doer" who can envision, conduct, and communicate institutional research data, innovations, and findings for multiple stakeholders including the Board of Regents, legislative bodies, and campus leaders across the system and the state.

If you are a visionary data strategist, a master storyteller, and a collaborative diplomat who thrives at the intersection of communication, analysis, and institutional effectiveness, this is your platform to promote meaningful and lasting statewide impact.

In this high-visibility role, you will elevate institutional research to an engine of proactive strategy. You will help lead system-wide efforts to evaluate return on investment (ROI), demonstrate institutional effectiveness, optimize resource allocation, and measure success across critical focus areas like student recruitment, retention, graduation, workforce alignment, and academic success.

This is an inherently collaborative position, requiring routine and positive engagement with Institutional Research leaders from each of the universities in the system, as well as System Office personnel. As a team leader and member of a larger team, this position requires a skilled leader who can translate complex data into readily understandable reports, recommendations, and presentations that inform and advance UA's strategic goals.

This position requires a steady hand to guide the completion of time-sensitive projects and the professional maturity and skills necessary to pivot and (re) prioritize actions when needed. Qualified candidates need to have a positive and growth mindset; embrace and support rapid, high-stakes data informed decision-making; excel as both an analyst and a communicator; and see this position as a conduit to continuous institutional improvement.

Qualified candidates must also have a demonstrated ability to make data meaningful to different audiences, manage budgets, optimize team and own workflows, and contribute to a culture of collegiality, communication, and collaboration.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in statistics, operations research, communications, or other methods-focused or related programs. PhD preferred. Five years progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Position Details:

This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 84, based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on August 14, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Sarah Randazzo, Signers' Business Office HR Coordinator, at sjrandazzo.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada.

The University of Alaska ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination () against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.