Director, Institutional Research - Office of Data Strategy

Kennesaw State University; Kennesaw (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

13 paid holidays

Vacation time

Tuition waiver

Retirement plans

Wellness options

Job summary

Kennesaw State University seeks a strategic leader to head institutional research, data governance, and reporting within the Office of Data Strategy. This senior role ensures data integrity, compliance, and timely external submissions while translating data into actionable insights for planning and accreditation.

The director collaborates with university leaders and staff, develops dashboards and publications, and guides a team to advance enrollment, academic excellence, and performance.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field from an accredited institution.
• Eight years of related experience within a postsecondary institution.
• Experience with data governance, reporting, and analytics in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Directs institutional research, reporting, and analytics to support planning and accreditation.
• Liaises with federal/state agencies and external reporting bodies; IPEDS Keyholder duties.
• Ensures accuracy and timely submission of official institutional data and surveys.
• Leads development and delivery of research, analytics, and assessment activities.
• Oversees data resources, dashboards, and publication programs for transparency.
• Provides strategic consultation to university leadership and stakeholders.
• Leads and develops institutional research staff and fosters accountability.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Project management

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Education

Master's degree

Tools

SAS

Tableau

Power BI

Banner

SQL

Job description

Job Title: Director, Institutional Research - Office of Data Strategy
Location: Kennesaw, Georgia
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 305253
About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

(Primary Location for Job Responsibilities) Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Job Summary

Provides strategic leadership for the university's institutional research, data governance, and reporting functions, serving as the authoritative source for official institutional data. Ensures the integrity, accuracy, and timely submission of required reports to federal, state, system, accrediting, and other external agencies while providing data-driven insights that support institutional planning, decision-making, compliance, and effectiveness. Leads institutional research operations and serves as a key member of the Office of Data Strategy leadership team, advancing the university's data strategy and strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Directs the university's institutional research, reporting, and analytics functions to support strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, regulatory compliance, accreditation activities, and data-informed decision-making
2. Serves as the university's official liaison to federal, state, system, accrediting, and external reporting agencies, including the University System of Georgia Office of Research and Policy Analysis, and serves as the institution's designated IPEDS Keyholder
3. Ensures the accuracy, integrity, consistency, and timely submission of official institutional data, reports, surveys, and mandated filings in accordance with applicable reporting requirements and standards
4. Leads the development and delivery of institutional research, analytics, and assessment activities that support executive leadership, academic program review, enrollment management, student success initiatives, accreditation efforts, and other institutional priorities
5. Directs the university's participation in external surveys, rankings, benchmarking studies, and data collections, ensuring accurate representation of institutional data and performance outcomes
6. Oversees the development and maintenance of institutional research publications, dashboards, websites, fact books, and other data resources to promote transparency, accessibility, and informed decision-making
7. Provides strategic consultation and analytical expertise to university leadership, administrative units, and academic departments through the interpretation of data and communication of actionable insights
8. Leads, develops, and evaluates institutional research staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, service excellence, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
9. Establishes and maintains processes, reporting schedules, documentation standards, and data governance practices to ensure operational efficiency, business continuity, and compliance with reporting requirements
10. Collaborates with university leaders and stakeholders to design and conduct research, assessment, and analytical initiatives that advance enrollment growth, student success, academic excellence, resource stewardship, and institutional performance
11. Serves as a member of the Office of Data Strategy leadership team, contributing to the development and execution of university-wide data strategy, governance, and institutional effectiveness initiatives

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field.

Required Experience
Eight (8) years of related experience within a postsecondary institution.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Preferred Experience
Experience reporting within the University System of Georgia.

Proposed Salary

The salary range is up to $133,000. Offers are based on relative experience. Comprehensive benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Able to work collaboratively with a broad range of internal as well as external stakeholders
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time, meeting assigned deadlines
Demonstrated commitment to operational and service excellence.
Demonstrated ability to lead a team and work collaboratively with campus-wide stakeholders.

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of data management, analysis, and reporting within a postsecondary institution.
Knowledgeable of KSU and USG policies, practices, and annual data collection methods.
Hands-on experience with external reporting, such as IPEDS, Common Data Set, and institutional ranking surveys.
Experience with large-scale databases and complex analytic systems to deliver solutions to serve institutional data, information, and analytic needs
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite, SAS, Banner, Tableau, Power BI)
Proficient with ERPs, Microsoft products, and software applications for data analysis, data reporting from large databases, and data visualization (e.g., SAS, Tableau, MS Fabric/Power BI, SQL).

SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills
Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, [e-mail].

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel.

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced + Education

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf