Director of Institutional Research
Ball State University
Muncie, IN
Job posting number: #7243088 (Ref:BSU42790)
Posted: May 8, 2024
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Job Description
The Director reports to the Associate Vice President for Institutional Research and Decision Support. This position works closely with the Director of Decision Support in the office of IRDS and leads the development of reliable data schemas and frozen files to support a wide range of institutional needs covering, but not limited to, required reports, accreditation, research, strategic planning, assessment, analysis, and predictive analytics. The position must be proactive in order to facilitate strategic planning, policymaking, resource allocations, and other processes requiring sound strategic analysis. The incumbent is responsible for timely completion of reporting to federal, state, and other external agencies. The Director will be responsible for the management and professional development of three direct reports.
The Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support at BSU is actively seeking a Director of Institutional Research. This role is ideal for a forward-thinking technologist who excels in a collaborative environment and is adept at leveraging advanced technology within a diverse tech landscape. As the lead architect of BSU's data warehouse and reporting infrastructure, you will be pivotal in customizing our data systems to support comprehensive analysis and predictive analytics. Working closely with the Office of Decision Support, you will ensure that our data infrastructure aligns with and advances the strategic goals of the university. The IR Director also acts as a crucial liaison for University College and other departments, driving initiatives that boost student engagement, success, and services through the interpretation of trends and the forecasting of future needs.
Job Function:
The Director reports to the Associate Vice President for Institutional Research and Decision Support. This position works closely with the Director of Decision Support in the office of IRDS and leads the development of reliable data schemas and frozen files to support a wide range of institutional needs covering, but not limited to, required reports, accreditation, research, strategic planning, assessment, analysis, and predictive analytics. The position must be proactive in order to facilitate strategic planning, policymaking, resource allocations, and other processes requiring sound strategic analysis. The incumbent is responsible for timely completion of reporting to federal, state, and other external agencies. The Director will be responsible for the management and professional development of three direct reports.
Minimum Education:
Master’s degree in data analytics, data science, business analytics, operations research, statistics, psychology, economics, computer science or a related quantitative research field. Must also have EITHER at least four years of work experience in an analytics environment, OR at least one year of direct work experience in Institutional Research.
Minimum Experience:
Experience required managing a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines and a need to pivot seamlessly from one task to another. At least two years of experience working with statistical tools such as SPSS, SAS, Stata, R and/or other relevant analysis and analytics software; ability to interpret or code SQL and extract data from various databases (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server, Redshift); and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau). Must have demonstrated competence in institutional research processes, including data collection, analysis, analytics, standardized/statistical reporting, and use of statistical methods.
Preferred Experience:
Advanced knowledge of statistical techniques and database schema design. Experience working with Banner student information system, Redshift, ClickUp, and ServiceNow.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive institutional research program that will support required reports, accreditation, research, strategic planning, assessment, analysis, predictive analytics, and other processes requiring robust understanding of underlying data schemas in Banner, Redshift, and other databases. Lead development in the DWH environment and the creation of frozen IR data files.
- In conjunction with the Director of Decision Support and the AVP of IRDS, lead development to collaboratively optimize Ball State's DWH schema and frozen file preparation to support both visual and tabular reporting for required reports, accreditation, research, strategic planning, assessment, analysis, and predictive analytics.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for reporting processes that ensure data integrity; improve existing data collection strategies and develop new approaches and procedures to guide institutional data governance.
- Manage and guide the assignment and tracking of ad hoc requests for data/information. Work with the Administrative Coordinator and provide continued leadership developing IRDS task management within ClickUp.
- Provide analysis and analytics to demonstrate the efficacy of student success and other institutional efforts to improve student outcomes.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Manage the institution's compliance with required state (ICHE) and federal (IPEDS) reporting requirements; provide dissemination of compiled research reports and oversee completion of external surveys including US News, College Board, and others.
- Provide both operational and summary data to the BSU community. This includes, but is not limited to, routine data requests by the Provost, Deans, chairs, and others for program review, accreditation, reporting, and other needs. Provide information relating to academic programs, curriculum, students, faculty, staff, and other areas of the University as directed by the AVP of IRDS.
At Ball State University, we recognize inclusive excellence as an integral endeavor to fulfill our University’s mission and our strategic plan. We recruit, support, and retain a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. We encourage and reward diversity of thought. We promote a work environment that encourages and rewards innovation and creativity. We pledge to keep Inclusive Excellence at the highest level of institutional importance and as a foundation in all that we strive to do. Our over-arching goal for Inclusive Excellence is to adopt a university-wide Inclusive Excellence approach to academic, administrative support, and service functions of the university. We believe Inclusive Excellence must be infused in every step we take.
