Executive Director, Data Strategy & Institutional Analytics

University of Connecticut; Storrs (CT); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Connecticut’s Institutional Research (IR) unit seeks an Executive Director to lead institutional data, analytics, and rankings performance. Reporting to the Vice Provost, this role provides executive-level leadership for reporting and analytics to support strategic decisions.

The position advances data governance, dashboards, and enterprise analytics in collaboration with i3 and campus partners, shaping decision-making across academic and administrative units.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, data science/analytics, public policy, economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, with a focus on directing institutional research, analytics, strategic planning, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervising a complex quantitative department.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex modeling, institutional reporting and external data submissions.
• Demonstrated quantitative/analytical expertise and the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for executive audiences.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in a related field; experience leading rankings strategy and enterprise dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Serve as principal advisor to the Provost’s Office and senior leadership on institutional performance, rankings strategy, benchmarking, and competitive positioning.
• Lead institutional rankings strategy, including analysis of methodologies, scenario modeling, and identification of high-impact improvement levers.
• Translate the University’s strategic priorities into measurable performance indicators and executive-ready insights.
• Provide forward-looking analyses and predictive modeling to inform academic planning, student success initiatives, faculty hiring, research performance, and resource allocation decisions.
• Prepare high-impact dashboards, executive briefings, and data narratives for senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Oversee submission of all official institutional data to federal and state agencies, accreditors, and ranking organizations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and consistency.
• Promote data-informed decision-making and consistent data definitions across academic and administrative units.

Job description

University of Connecticut’s Institutional Research (IR) unit seeks an Executive Director to lead institutional data, analytics, and rankings performance. Reporting to the Vice Provost, this role provides executive-level leadership for reporting and analytics to support strategic decisions.

The position advances data governance, dashboards, and enterprise analytics in collaboration with i3 and campus partners, shaping decision-making across academic and administrative units.