Data and Institutional Research Specialist

King & Bishop; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

King & Bishop is seeking an experienced Data and Institutional Research Specialist for a higher education institution. The role supports strategic planning, operational goals, and regulatory reporting through data analytics and governance.

The candidate will collaborate with leadership, data stakeholders, and IT to deliver reporting solutions, KPIs, and dashboards that inform data-driven decision-making across the organization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in data analytics.
• Higher education industry experience is required.
• Experience developing KPIs, dashboards, reports, and data visualizations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, technical teams, and stakeholders across multiple functional areas.

Responsibilities

• Analyze internal and external data to support strategic planning, operational initiatives, research, and reporting requirements.
• Partner with leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to identify data and reporting needs and translate them into actionable insights.
• Support the design and development of data analysis models, strategic goal measures, KPIs, dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Develop clear data visualizations and reporting that communicate trends, findings, and insights to leadership and other stakeholders.
• Help evaluate the effectiveness of programs, services, processes, and strategic initiatives through data analysis.
• Support the development and implementation of enterprise-wide data governance policies, standards, and best practices.
• Collaborate with data stewards and IT professionals to support data integrity, accessibility, consistency, and appropriate use across systems.
• Contribute to the development and ongoing improvement of the organization's broader data and analytics strategy.
• Work across departments to identify opportunities to improve reporting processes, data quality, and the use of analytics in decision-making.
• Support a culture of shared responsibility and trust around the ethical and effective use of institutional data.
• Present findings, recommendations, and data-driven insights to stakeholders as needed.

Skills

Data analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Dashboards

Data governance

Education

Higher education experience

Job description

King & Bishop is seeking an experienced Data and Institutional Research Specialist for our client, a higher education institution. This position will play a key role in supporting the effective use and analysis of institutional data to advance strategic planning, operational goals, research initiatives, and regulatory reporting requirements. This candidate will work collaboratively with leadership, management, data stakeholders, and IT teams to develop meaningful reporting and analytics solutions that support data-informed decision-making across the organization. This role will also contribute to data governance, data strategy, and the continued development of an organization-wide culture built around the responsible and effective use of data.

Responsibilities

• Analyze internal and external data to support strategic planning, operational initiatives, research, and reporting requirements.
• Partner with leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to identify data and reporting needs and translate them into actionable insights.
• Support the design and development of data analysis models, strategic goal measures, key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Develop clear data visualizations and reporting that communicate trends, findings, and insights to leadership and other stakeholders.
• Help evaluate the effectiveness of programs, services, processes, and strategic initiatives through data analysis.
• Support the development and implementation of enterprise-wide data governance policies, standards, and best practices.
• Collaborate with data stewards and IT professionals to support data integrity, accessibility, consistency, and appropriate use across systems.
• Contribute to the development and ongoing improvement of the organization's broader data and analytics strategy.
• Work across departments to identify opportunities to improve reporting processes, data quality, and the use of analytics in decision-making.
• Support a culture of shared responsibility and trust around the ethical and effective use of institutional data.
• Present findings, recommendations, and data-driven insights to stakeholders as needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in data analytics, including experience working with cross-functional teams and enterprise-wide programs or initiatives.
• Higher education industry experience is required.
• Comprehensive background in data analytics and research, data governance, and data strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data and translate findings into clear, meaningful insights.
• Experience developing KPIs, dashboards, reports, and data visualizations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, technical teams, and stakeholders across multiple functional areas.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience presenting data, findings, or recommendations to senior leadership or executive-level stakeholders.
• Experience supporting institutional research, strategic planning, or enterprise data initiatives within a higher education environment.