Director of Institutional Research & Effectiveness

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Lead college-wide strategic planning processes and the ongoing implementation of the Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate regular review and updates of strategic priorities, establish key performance indicators, and coordinate reporting on progress towards goals.
• Ensure all major planning documents and initiatives (division plans, unit plans) are aligned with the Strategic Plan to drive institutional improvement.
• Champion a comprehensive institutional effectiveness program that integrates planning, assessment, and resource allocation.
• Oversee academic and administrative outcomes assessment processes (in collaboration with relevant committees) to ensure continuous improvement; review assessment results and guide units in using findings for decision-making and planning.
• Data Governance & Compliance Oversight:
• Oversee data governance policies and practices to maintain data quality and integrity for institutional reporting.
• Ensure compliance with all mandatory federal, state, and SUNY reporting requirements and accreditation data submissions.
• Serve as the accountable officer for IPEDS and other mandated reports, verifying accuracy and timely submissions (with data preparation support from staff).
• Institutional Research & Reporting Oversight:
• Direct the institutional research function of the College, providing guidance on data collection, analysis, and publication of key reports and dashboards.
• Oversee the development of institutional research publications (e.g., Fact Book, enrollment dashboards, survey analyses) and ensure information is disseminated effectively to campus stakeholders.
• Validate that data analyses and reports produced are accurate, meaningful, and actionable for planning and policy decisions.
• Survey & Research Initiatives:
• Oversee major institutional surveys and research projects that inform college planning and effectiveness.
• Provide support or consultation on survey design, implementation, and analysis of results to ensure high-quality data for institutional improvement efforts.
• Use findings from surveys and environmental scans to advise leadership on emerging issues and opportunities.
• Collaboration & Communication:
• Work collaboratively with departments across the College to promote a culture of evidence-based planning and decision-making.
• Act as a liaison to faculty, staff, and administrators for planning and assessment needs, ensuring stakeholders are engaged in institutional effectiveness initiatives.
• Regularly communicate progress on strategic initiatives and assessment results to senior leadership and the campus community.
• Supervision & Office Leadership:
• Provide direction, guidance, and performance supervision to the Coordinator of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.
• Set priorities and manage workflow within the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness to ensure timely completion of projects and reports.
• Develop team members' professional skills and promote a collaborative, high-performance work environment.
• Professional Development & Best Practices:
• Keep abreast of emerging trends and best practices in strategic planning, institutional research, and higher education assessment.
• Identify opportunities to incorporate innovative approaches (such as new analytics tools or planning methodologies) that enhance the College's institutional effectiveness.
• Provide training or resources to build data literacy and assessment capacity among faculty and staff as part of nurturing a data-informed organizational culture.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of master's degree, or relevant certification/professional credential in appropriate field.
• At least five (5) years of progressive administrative experience in higher education, preferably involving institutional research, strategic planning, assessment, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating strategic planning or institutional effectiveness initiatives is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in data analysis and information systems relevant to institutional research and planning.
• Familiarity with student information systems (e.g., Banner), relational databases, and analytical software/tools (such as Excel, SPSS or SAS, and data visualization platforms) to oversee data-driven projects.
• Experience with survey tools and business intelligence software (e.g., Tableau or Power BI) is a plus.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent analytical and critical-thinking abilities, with proven skill in interpreting data and translating it into actionable insights.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively present data findings and train others in understanding data.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with all levels of college personnel.

Additional Duties

• Serve as the RCC liaison with SUNY Institutional Research and represent the Office on committees or at meetings related to planning, accreditation, or institutional effectiveness initiatives as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and continuous improvement of the College.