Director of Institutional Research

National Park College; Hot Springs (AR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

National Park College seeks a Director of Institutional Research to lead data collection, analysis, and reporting to support strategic planning, accreditation, and student success. The role develops dashboards, surveys, and analytic studies, ensuring compliance with external reporting requirements and serving as a key resource for data-informed decision-making.

The position emphasizes data governance, cross-department collaboration, and timely reporting of federal, state, and institutional

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred in statistics, data analytics, institutional research, or related field.
• Experience with IR data reporting, IPEDS, or accreditation reporting is a plus.
• Strong communication of complex data to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of institutional data for planning and effectiveness.
• Provide data-informed analysis and recommendations for planning and policy development.
• Conduct statistical analyses, forecasting, and trend analysis related to enrollment and student achievement.
• Oversee data governance, quality, reporting standards, and processes.
• Design, administer, and analyze surveys to assess institutional performance.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, reports, and KPIs for monitoring and improvement.
• Prepare and submit federal/state/accreditation reports (IPEDS, ADHE, HLC, NSC).
• Collaborate across departments to identify data needs and provide analytical support.
• Manage departmental budget and reporting schedules.

Skills

Data analysis

Statistical methods

Data visualization

Communication

Project management

Confidentiality

Education

Master’s degree in statistics / data analytics / institutional research or related field

Bachelor’s degree with progressively responsible experience in IR / data analysis / reporting

Tools

SQL

Power BI

Workday

PeopleSoft

SAS

Job description

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE: The Director of Institutional Research supports National Park College's mission through the collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of institutional data to inform strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, student success initiatives, policy development, and decision-making. The Director develops and maintains reports, dashboards, surveys, and analytical studies; ensures compliance with external reporting requirements; conducts quantitative and qualitative analyses; and serves as a key institutional resource for research, assessment, business intelligence, and data-informed decision-making. The salary range for this position is $60,000-$65,000 per year.

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE: The Director of Institutional Research supports National Park College's mission through the collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of institutional data to inform strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, student success initiatives, policy development, and decision-making. The Director develops and maintains reports, dashboards, surveys, and analytical studies; ensures compliance with external reporting requirements; conducts quantitative and qualitative analyses; and serves as a key institutional resource for research, assessment, business intelligence, and data-informed decision-making. The salary range for this position is $60,000-$65,000 per year.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of institutional data to support strategic planning, enrollment management, student success initiatives, program review, and institutional effectiveness.
• Provide data-informed analysis and recommendations to support institutional planning, policy development, and decision-making.
• Conduct statistical analysis, forecasting, predictive modeling, and trend analysis related to enrollment, retention, completion, and student achievement.
• Oversee institutional data governance efforts, including data quality, reporting standards, documentation, and business processes.
• Design, administer, and analyze surveys to assess institutional performance and inform decision-making.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, reports, and key performance indicators to support institutional monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and submit required federal, state, accreditation, and institutional reports, including but not limited to:
• Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
• Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• National Student Clearinghouse reporting, as assigned
• Other internal and external reporting entities as assigned
• Respond to internal and external data requests and ensure compliance with applicable privacy and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with departments across the College to identify data needs and provide analytical support for operational and strategic initiatives.
• Support assessment, accreditation, and institutional effectiveness activities through data analysis, reporting, and consultation.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the departmental budget.
• Maintain reporting schedules and ensure the timely completion of assigned reporting obligations.
• Will perform other duties as assigned.

Required skills/abilities:

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret, analyze, and communicate complex data to different audiences.
• Experience managing large datasets, relational databases, SQL queries, and business intelligence tools, including Power BI.
• Knowledge of research methods, statistical analysis, and data interpretation.
• Ability to develop reports, dashboards, and visualizations that support planning and decision-making.
• Excellent organizational skills, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across the institution while maintaining confidentiality and data integrity.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to learn and adapt to emerging technologies and data systems.
• Knowledge of higher education reporting, accreditation, and accountability requirements preferred.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, statistics, mathematics, data analytics, computer science, institutional research, higher education, or a related field preferred; or a bachelor’s degree in a related field with progressively responsible experience in institutional research, data analysis, or reporting.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning software systems such as Workday and PeopleSoft and/or database software such as SQL and statistical software such as SAS preferred.
• Higher education experience with knowledge of IPEDS, HLC, National Clearinghouse, National Center for Educational Statistics, and Title IV reporting preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with colleagues to achieve strategic goals.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills and the demonstrated ability to relay complex data in a manner that is understandable to non-data users.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis and will be provided unless doing so would result in undue hardship to NPC.

National Park College does not discriminate in access to employment opportunities or in employment or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.