Director, Institutional Research & Data Quality

Overview

Position Summary

The Director of Institutional Research & Data Quality provides leadership for the College''s institutional research, data governance, analytics, and reporting functions. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness, the Director leads efforts to ensure the integrity, accessibility, and effective use of institutional data in support of strategic planning, accreditation, and data-informed decision-making. The Director chairs the Data Management & Integrity (DMI) Team, advances college-wide data stewardship practices, and oversees the accurate and timely submission of mandatory federal, state, and accrediting agency reports.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Data Governance & Data Quality Leadership

• Chair the Data Management & Integrity (DMI) Team and lead institutional data governance efforts.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standardized data definitions, validation procedures, and reporting structures across the College.
• Establish and enforce data governance policies, standards, and practices to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and reliability.
• Conduct annual data quality audits, monitor reporting accuracy, and implement continuous improvement processes.
• Collaborate with the Registrar, Information Technology, and functional areas to ensure alignment and integrity of data across systems.
• Identify and address systemic data quality issues, including inconsistencies in coding, definitions, and reporting structures.
• Promote ethical and responsible data use and train campus stakeholders in data stewardship, data literacy, and appropriate data interpretation.
• Embed data governance practices into institutional effectiveness, planning, and reporting processes.

Institutional Research & Strategic Analytics

• Direct the design and execution of research studies and analyses to support strategic planning, enrollment management, program development, and institutional effectiveness.
• Prepare and present research reports, dashboards, and data visualizations for internal and external audiences.
• Respond to ad-hoc requests for data, research, and analysis, ensuring timely delivery of accurate and relevant information to support decision-making.
• Support grant development, community needs assessments, labor market analyses, and program feasibility studies.
• Provide analytical support for academic and administrative program review.
• Provide professional research support and technical assistance to faculty, administrators, and staff.

Compliance & External Reporting

• Ensure the accurate, timely, and complete submission of all mandatory external reporting, including but not limited to IPEDS, OSHE, MSCHE, SURE, VEDS, and Perkins reporting.
• Oversee data validation, reconciliation, and edit check processes to ensure compliance with reporting requirements and alignment with institutional data governance standards.
• Coordinate internal data collection and reporting processes to support federal, state, and accrediting agency requirements.
• Support and coordinate institutional participation in voluntary reporting initiatives.
• Represent the College in local, state, and national research and higher education forums.

Institutional Reporting & Data Accessibility

• Oversee the development and dissemination of routine institutional reports, including enrollment, retention, completion, and student success metrics.
• Maintain and enhance the Institutional Research SharePoint site and other data repositories to ensure data is accessible, relevant, and usable for decision-making.
• Ensure alignment between institutional reporting and established data definitions and governance standards.
• Administer institutional surveys and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders to support continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Student Services, Information Technology, and administrative units to support data-informed decision-making and institutional effectiveness.

Supervision & Service

• Direct and supervise Institutional Research staff, including planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating work.
• Establish priorities and workflows to ensure timely completion of research, reporting, and data governance activities.
• Provide guidance and support to staff in the execution of research, reporting, and data management functions.
• Develop recommendations for operational and resource needs of the Institutional Research function.
• Serve on institutional committees and contribute to accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and planning initiatives.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• Master's degree in discipline such as behavioral sciences, statistics, higher education, information systems, data analytics, or a related field or a Bachelor's degree with an equivalent combination of relevant education and progressively responsible professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in institutional research, higher education, data management, analytics, information systems, or a related field.
• Experience supporting data-informed decision-making, institutional reporting, or institutional effectiveness initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience working with large, complex datasets and developing reports, dashboards, or data tools for varied audiences.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Strong understanding of data governance, data quality, and data stewardship frameworks, including the development of standards, validation rules, and documentation practices.
• Advanced proficiency in data systems, data extraction, and reporting tools, such as SQL, enterprise reporting systems (e.g., Entrinsik Informer), and data visualization platforms.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data management tools, including the ability to manipulate, structure, and validate large datasets.
• Experience working with integrated data systems (e.g., ERP/SIS platforms such as Ellucian Colleague or similar systems) and understanding of relational data structures.
• Ability to design and implement efficient data workflows, including data collection, validation, transformation, and reporting processes.
• Proficiency with statistical and analytical tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Python).
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge of higher education data environments and reporting requirements (e.g., IPEDS, state reporting, accreditation).
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functional areas, including Academic Affairs, Student Services, Information Technology, and administrative units.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications & Special Considerations:

• Knowledge of Monmouth County and its communities.
• Occasional evening and weekend work and 10-15% local travel required.

Summary of Benefits: Administrative

Special Instructions to Applicants:

A review of applications will be ongoing until the position is filled. Submission of application materials by Monday, July 6th, 2026, is preferred to ensure full consideration.

Pay Rate

$90,405