Director of Institutional Research
Thomas More University, Crestview Hills, KY, United States
Basic Purpose
The Director of Institutional Research provides strategic leadership for the University’s data, analytics, and reporting functions. The role oversees the collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data to support planning, accreditation, external reporting, assessment, strategic initiatives, and evidence-informed decision‑making.
The Director serves as the University’s chief data steward and a key advisor to the senior leadership team. The Director reports to the Vice President for Strategy and Impact and Chief of Staff.
Core Values and Competencies
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
Strategic thinking and systems‑level perspective
High attention to detail and data accuracy
Collaborative leadership and relationship‑building
Attitude of service and passion for process improvements
Strong analytical and project management skills
Ethical judgement and commitment to data privacy
Principal Activities
Data Leadership and Management
Lead the development and execution of an institutional research agenda aligned with university priorities
Advise executive leadership on trends, risks, and opportunities revealed through data
Champion a culture of data literacy, transparency, and continuous improvement across campus
Oversee the integrity, security, and quality of institutional data
Partner with administrative and academic departments to ensure consistent data practices
Collaborate with IT to develop and maintain data governance policies, definitions, and standards
Collaborate with IT Services to acquire, train, and expand the use of analytic tools to make information and analysis more readily available to the university community
Reporting and Compliance
Direct preparation and timely submission of all mandatory federal, state, and accreditation reports (e.g., IPEDS, KPEDS, and SACSCOC)
Maintain internal dashboards and reporting tools for campus stakeholders
Operate a variety of software packages used for data management, statistical analysis, and visual display of data; learn and apply emerging technologies as necessary
Research, Analytics, and Decision Support
Conduct analyses to support enrollment, retention, student success, and other strategies
Provide actionable insights to academic departments, administrative units, and governance committees
Lead survey research efforts, including design, administration, and analysis
Assessment and Accreditation Support
Partner with academic and administrative departments on program review, departmental assessments, learning outcomes assessment, and accreditation self‑studies
Provide data, analysis, and consultation to support continuous improvement processes
Team Leadership and Collaboration
Manage institutional research budget
Supervise and mentor institutional work‑study students and interns to foster their growth
Build strong relationships across campus to understand data needs and deliver solutions
Represent the university in state, regional, and national IR networks
Chair and serve on committees as requested
Preferred Qualifications
Graduate degree in relevant field, such as statistical analysis, research methodology, social sciences or related field, or any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position
Experience in assessment, program evaluation, quantitative or qualitative research methods, research design, or statistical analysis, preferably in a higher education setting
Physical Job Requirements #J-18808-Ljbffr
The Director serves as the University’s chief data steward and a key advisor to the senior leadership team. The Director reports to the Vice President for Strategy and Impact and Chief of Staff.
Core Values and Competencies
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
Strategic thinking and systems‑level perspective
High attention to detail and data accuracy
Collaborative leadership and relationship‑building
Attitude of service and passion for process improvements
Strong analytical and project management skills
Ethical judgement and commitment to data privacy
Principal Activities
Data Leadership and Management
Lead the development and execution of an institutional research agenda aligned with university priorities
Advise executive leadership on trends, risks, and opportunities revealed through data
Champion a culture of data literacy, transparency, and continuous improvement across campus
Oversee the integrity, security, and quality of institutional data
Partner with administrative and academic departments to ensure consistent data practices
Collaborate with IT to develop and maintain data governance policies, definitions, and standards
Collaborate with IT Services to acquire, train, and expand the use of analytic tools to make information and analysis more readily available to the university community
Reporting and Compliance
Direct preparation and timely submission of all mandatory federal, state, and accreditation reports (e.g., IPEDS, KPEDS, and SACSCOC)
Maintain internal dashboards and reporting tools for campus stakeholders
Operate a variety of software packages used for data management, statistical analysis, and visual display of data; learn and apply emerging technologies as necessary
Research, Analytics, and Decision Support
Conduct analyses to support enrollment, retention, student success, and other strategies
Provide actionable insights to academic departments, administrative units, and governance committees
Lead survey research efforts, including design, administration, and analysis
Assessment and Accreditation Support
Partner with academic and administrative departments on program review, departmental assessments, learning outcomes assessment, and accreditation self‑studies
Provide data, analysis, and consultation to support continuous improvement processes
Team Leadership and Collaboration
Manage institutional research budget
Supervise and mentor institutional work‑study students and interns to foster their growth
Build strong relationships across campus to understand data needs and deliver solutions
Represent the university in state, regional, and national IR networks
Chair and serve on committees as requested
Preferred Qualifications
Graduate degree in relevant field, such as statistical analysis, research methodology, social sciences or related field, or any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position
Experience in assessment, program evaluation, quantitative or qualitative research methods, research design, or statistical analysis, preferably in a higher education setting
Physical Job Requirements #J-18808-Ljbffr