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Director of Institutional Research

Employer
University of Alaska Anchorage
Location
Alaska, United States
Salary
Salary Commensurate with experience
Date posted
Dec 18, 2020

The University of Alaska Anchorage invites applications for the position of Director of Institutional Research. The Office of Institutional Research supports data-informed institutional planning, decision-making, continuous improvement, and reporting through the collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of timely and accurate information. It provides the data to assess the effectiveness of programs, services, and processes as well as the University’s overall progress in reaching its strategic goals and in demonstrating mission fulfillment and institutional effectiveness, including for the strategic plan, accreditation, student success, and diversity and inclusion.

Duties:

Coordinates the Office of Institutional Research to support data-informed institutional planning, decision-making, continuous improvement, and reporting through the collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of timely and accurate information. It provides the data to assess the effectiveness of programs, services, and processes as well as the University’s overall progress in reaching its strategic goals and in demonstrating mission fulfillment and institutional effectiveness, including for the strategic plan, accreditation, student success, and diversity and inclusion. Oversees the institutional research functions, which include research and analysis; internal and external environmental scanning; select internal and external reporting and support of other reporting requirements, including for compliance; design, administration of, and/or participation in internal, external and national surveys; implementation of peer selection process; incorporating peer/regional/national comparisons and benchmarking; disaggregating data with a focus on equity; and assuring relevant, high-quality data. The Office provides guidance regarding appropriate data and partners with Institutional Effectiveness on the development of dashboards, websites, and other means of data visualization to support decision-making and progress on institutional priorities and strategic indicators, and it oversees the training of campus constituents in the use of these tools. Ensures timely development and submission of regular internal and external reporting, such as the UAA Fact Book, IPEDS, Common Data Set, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations as well as other internal and external guidance; ensures support for other reporting, such as for accreditation; responds to ad hoc requests for data and reports. Effectively communicates research approach and findings. Ensures IR Reports (or other information architecture) is well-maintained and up-to-date to support continuous improvement processes, such as academic program review and the assessment of programs and services. Continues to build information capability that anticipates future needs. Identifies and recommends improvements to UAA data systems, information architecture, and data governance to ensure high-quality and timely data and information for decision-making processes. Provides guidance regarding data and different approaches. Represents UAA to and coordinates with the UA System. Maintains knowledge of national trends in higher education data definitions, collection, analysis, and dissemination. Manages the personnel, daily operations and functions of the Office of Institutional Research. Supervisory functions include responsibility for hiring, onboarding, work assignments, performance evaluations, professional development, office budget management, and meeting user expectations regarding OIR information services. Ensures a strong commitment to conduct office functions with the Association of Institutional Research code of ethics. Maintains membership and actively participates in appropriate professional organizations.

The director oversees the institutional research functions, which include research and analysis; internal and external environmental scanning; internal and external reporting and support of other reporting requirements, including for compliance; design, administration of and/or participation in internal, external and national surveys; implementation of peer selection process; incorporating peer/regional/national comparisons and benchmarking; disaggregating data with a focus on equity; and assuring relevant, high-quality data. The Office provides guidance regarding appropriate data and partners with Institutional Effectiveness on the development of dashboards, websites, and other means of data visualization to support decision-making and progress on institutional priorities and strategic indicators, and it oversees the training of campus constituents in the use of these tools.

The director reports to the provost and works in consultation with the vice provost for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness to prioritize data, analysis, and information dissemination needs and to develop approaches to meeting those needs. The director partners with campus units involved in the collection and dissemination of data, collaborates across the institution to meet data and reporting needs, serves on relevant groups within UAA and the UA System, and facilitates UAA’s participation in important projects and initiatives in higher education. The director manages the Office’s budget. Three full-time staff members report to the director. The director may work remotely, but will be required to be in-person on campus for significant institutional events, such as accreditation site visits.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

At a minimum the candidate will have:
• Solid skills in research design and analysis, oral and written communication, and data presentation.
• Solid knowledge of statistics, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and methods of assessment and evaluation.
• Experience/skill with SAS (or other statistical software) and Excel.
• A collaborative, service-oriented mindset.

Preferred candidate will have:

• Excellent skills in research design and analysis, oral and written communication, and data presentation in academic and administrative settings.
• Excellent knowledge of statistics, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and methods of assessment and evaluation.
• Experience in the measurement of institutional effectiveness.
• Understanding of accreditation, its policies and framework.
• Understanding of best practices in student success and diversity and inclusion.
• Understanding of institutional peer selection and benchmarking.
• Knowledge of IPEDS reporting requirements; experience with a data warehouse.
• Experience with data governance.

Typical Experience:

Extensive experience in Institutional Research in higher education and/or extensive experience in higher education administration. A minimum of 3 years of managerial experience. Demonstrated success in the use of data analysis and reporting to inform decisions. The preferred candidate will have experience with data governance and experience working with third-party providers of tools and systems that rely upon institutional data.

Required Education or Training:

At a minimum, the candidate will have a master’s degree in higher education administration or other discipline that involves extensive research methodology and statistical analysis. Note that although a master’s degree is generally required, an individual could qualify with a bachelor’s degree and with extensive leadership experience in the field of Institutional Research. The preferred candidate will have a doctoral degree in higher education administration or other discipline that involves extensive research methodology and statistical analysis.

To apply for this position please submit the following;

  • Current CV/Resume
  • Cover letter addressing the applicant's experience and qualifications as they relate to the position description
  • Five professional references (name, relationship, email and phone)

This is a full-time, Grade 83, minimum $81,515 annually, DOE, 12-month position complete with a competitive salary and UA employee benefits package.

Review will begin on February 1, 2021. The position is open until filled. However, to ensure your application is fully considered, submit all required documents by 11:55pm Alaska Standard Time, January 31, 2021. Applications and Documents received after this date may not be considered.

If a current UA faculty member, or a person qualified to serve as faculty in one of the UAA departments with need for additional faculty, is hired to serve in this role, then the position would be reclassified to an academic administrator appointment (FR/FN). At that time additional academic programming and teaching activities would be added to the position description.

Apply to this position at https://careers.alaska.edu/

Information about UAA may be found at www.uaa.alaska.edu.

Information about the OIR may be found at http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ir/index.cfm

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

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 UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

Affirmative Action Statement:

UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination

Background Check:

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

Probationary Period:

Pursuant to University Regulation 04.07.020, new employees of the University are employed in an at-will probationary status for the first six months of employment. During the probationary period, employment may be terminated for no reason or any reason. Promoted employees also serve a probationary period with limited rights of retreat.

Public Disclosure Statement:

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

University of Alaska is a Drug-Free Workplace.

University of Alaska campuses are Tobacco-Free.

Training Policy:

It is the policy of the University of Alaska (UA) that all employees are required to complete training to meet the requirements of the positions they hold, and to complete the required training within a specified period to remain employed at the UA.

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