Director of Institutional Research

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Provost Full Time FT Exempt Staff Reading, PA, US

Job Summary:

The Director of Institutional Research provides leadership for the 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 the accuracy, consistency, accessibility, and appropriate use of information to support planning, policy development, operational improvement, and evidence-based decision-making.

The Director oversees the collection, validation, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data; ensures compliance with federal, state, accreditation, and other external reporting requirements; and develops research and analytical tools that inform enrollment management, student success, academic program development, resource allocation, and institutional performance.

Working collaboratively with academic and administrative leadership, the Director identifies institutional research needs, develops meaningful measures of performance, and translates complex data into actionable information. The Director also provides research and analytical support for institutional assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.

As the leader of a small institutional research office, the Director is responsible for both the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the function, including the development of efficient processes, effective use of technology, and supervision of assigned personnel.

Essential Functions:

1. Mission and Institutional Commitment

Promote Franciscan ideals and adherence to the mission of the University as demonstrated by the University Ideal Characteristics. All employees share responsibility for advancing the University's commitment to respect for all, service orientation, intellectual curiosity, innovation, solution-focused approaches, and mutual accountability.

2. Institutional Research and Strategic Decision Support

Lead the University's institutional research function by identifying, developing, and implementing research and analytical initiatives that support institutional priorities, strategic planning, policy development, and operational effectiveness. Provide leadership with meaningful analysis of institutional performance, emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges to inform decisions and continuous improvement.

3. Institutional Data Management, Integrity, and Governance

Provide leadership in establishing and maintaining reliable, consistent, and appropriately governed institutional data. Collaborate with information technology and university departments to strengthen data definitions, validation practices, reporting processes, and the integration of information across institutional systems. Promote effective data stewardship, appropriate access, confidentiality, and consistent institutional reporting.

4. Institutional Reporting and External Compliance

Oversee the preparation, validation, and submission of institutional data and reports required by federal and state agencies, accrediting bodies, higher education organizations, and other external constituencies. Serve as the University's authoritative source for official institutional statistics and coordinate reporting practices to ensure accuracy, consistency, timeliness, and compliance with applicable requirements.

5. Institutional Analytics and Performance Measurement

Develop and maintain analytical resources, dashboards, institutional profiles, benchmarking studies, and performance indicators that support evaluation of institutional progress. Analyze enrollment, retention, persistence, completion, student outcomes, academic programs, and other measures of institutional effectiveness. Identify trends and provide insights that support proactive planning, intervention, and resource allocation.

6. Research, Surveys, and Institutional Studies

Direct the design, administration, and analysis of institutional research projects, surveys, and special studies that address university priorities and emerging information needs. Apply appropriate research methodologies and statistical techniques to evaluate institutional practices, student experiences, program outcomes, and organizational…