Associate Director of Institutional Research

Description :

Job Description Summary :

The Associate Director of Institutional Research independently manages the predictive analytics and data visualization domains within the institutional research department to advance and support SMU’s decision-making and strategic planning.

The Associate Director independently manages research assignments and projects, applies appropriate statistical methods and advanced database management skills in all areas of institutional research and reporting.

The Associate Director plays a key role in managing the data collection, database structures and reporting related to WSCUC regional accreditation efforts, specialty accreditation, program evaluation and student success.

The position is also responsible for initiating and resolving systems and data quality issues related to the institutional common data set and institutional databases used for mandated state and federal reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities :

An Asterisk (*) denotes an "essential job function" for ADA purposes.

40% Research & Analytics

Design and implement predictive statistical models to support student success efforts, admission processes, and the student life cycle.

Design and manage evaluation, assessment, and survey research studies to support strategic planning and management decisions to advance the university's mission.

Interpret and deliver key analytical findings to intended audiences.

30% Data Visualization and Reporting

Create high-impact data displays and actionable reports using Tableau and other business intelligence tools. Lead and manage the complete life cycle of SMU's institutional summary reports such as the institutional facts, fact sheet, student and faculty profiles, and departmental dashboards.

Support the completion of mandated reports including IPEDS, WSCUC annual reports, surveys from accrediting bodies, guidebooks and other agencies.

Produce regular admission, enrollment, and other reports to support the cross-divisional requirements. Work with Information Technology to develop and implement technological solutions that will result in increased efficiency and effectiveness in the reporting and analysis of institutional data.

30% Data Management and Data Integrity

Lead the creation and management of longitudinal institutional datasets, to include cohort tracking, enrollment census, and faculty and staff census.

Write and maintain programs including creating data extracts from multiple sources to produce data sets for reports and studies on enrollment, demographics, student success metrics, faculty and staff demographics, retention and graduation rates.

Initiate and resolve data quality issues of common data sets. Collaborate with Student Affairs, Finance and academic programs to reconcile common data sets.

15% Operational and Project Management Independently

Manage assigned projects and priorities and meet deadlines with high quality work products. Supervise temporary workers and special project assistants.

Coordinate IR tasks in the Director's absence. Serve as an information expert on internal committees concerning institutional data, their intended use and interpretation.

Maintain up-to-date documentation on all projects, processes, reports and models. Train and collaborate with end users to assure appropriate understanding and skills to utilize IR provided data.

Stay current with important national and regional trends that affect higher education and assist the department and institution with appropriate responses.

5% Other duties as assigned

Skills and Abilities :

Knowledge of relational databases and experience designing, maintaining and reporting from large databases and multiple tables.

Intermediate to advanced knowledge of data querying and SQL.

• Solid knowledge and experience in statistical tests and models.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining outstanding service and meeting deadlines.
• Content creation in Tableau and PowerBI reporting and visualization platforms
• SPSS or SAS or R.
• Expert knowledge of Excel, including charting, pivot tables, functions, merging data.
• Demonstrated knowledge of survey design and research methodologies.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in relation to confidential and proprietary information.
• Effective presentation, communication and problem solving skills.

Education and / or Experience :

• Master's degree in social sciences or quantitative disciplines, with intermediate to advanced course work in statistics.
• Minimum of three years of progressive work experience in information gathering, processing, analysis, and reporting, preferably in Institutional Research.
• Knowledge of institutional research or higher education reporting requirements.

Physical Requirements :

• Must have ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks across campus.
• Ability to read and write complex documents.
• Ability to sit doing deskwork for prolonged periods of time.

Benefits of Working at SMU

Health, Dental, Vision Care

SMU offers a broad range of employee benefits including health, vision, and dental care; sick leave, vacation and holiday leave, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, voluntary tax-deferred annuities, educational leaves, sabbatical leaves, tuition reimbursement, tuition remission on SMU courses, disability insurance, and more.

SMU offers HMO, EPO and PPO health insurance plans, Delta Dental coverage, and VSP vision coverage.

Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

A Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses that aren’t covered by your insurance plan or elsewhere.

It’s a smart, simple way to save money while keeping you and your family healthy and protected.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or elder daycare.

A DCFSA is a smart, simple way to save money while taking care of your loved ones so that you can continue to work.

Life Insurance

As a means of financial protection, basic life insurance is provided for employees. Insurance may be purchased to benefit-eligible employees in order to supplement additional basic life insurance coverage.

Employees that purchase supplemental life insurance may also purchase coverage for dependents.

Retirement 403(b)

A retirement plan that includes investment alternative and a matching contribution plan is available to all benefit-eligible employees.

The retirement plan rewards special contributions of the long-service employee by providing a measure of financial security during retirement.

You Are Welcome Here

SMU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, familial status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any resolution process within the University or within the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other human rights agencies.

Nondiscrimination is consistent with the principles and practice of the University and is in compliance with Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of The Education Amendments of 1972, and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.