Executive Director — University Data & Analytics

Drake University; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Drake University invites applications for the Executive Director of University Data and Institutional Research to lead data strategy, governance, and analytics across the university. This role partners with IT Services to establish standards for data sources, systems, and tools and to support innovation across the academic division.

The Executive Director will guide data governance, develop an institution-wide analytics framework, oversee IR staff, and ensure accurate reporting to IPEDS,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in data analytics or related field required (10+ years of experience in data analytics may substitute)
• Significant experience (5+ years) in data leadership, analytics, or business intelligence roles
• Demonstrated expertise in data governance, data architecture, and analytics platforms
• Experience managing enterprise data warehouses and reporting ecosystems
• Strong communication and data storytelling skills with the ability to make complex data concepts understandable to colleagues and leadership
• Experience working with sensitive and regulated data

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Office of Institutional Research and Analytics
• Lead development, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data related to enrollment, retention, student success, graduation outcomes, academic performance, faculty activity, and institutional effectiveness
• Supervise and develop Institutional Research and Analytics staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, innovation, and service excellence
• Oversee institutional reporting required by federal, state, accrediting, and external agencies, including IPEDS, NC-SARA, state reporting requirements, rankings submissions, surveys, and other mandatory disclosures
• Develop predictive and prescriptive analytics capabilities to support institutional planning and student success initiatives
• Present findings and recommendations to executive leadership, Board committees, and campus governance groups
• Lead institutional benchmarking efforts using national and peer institution data to inform strategic planning and continuous improvement
• Define and lead the University's enterprise data and analytics strategy in alignment with institutional priorities
• Establish and oversee institutional data governance structures, policies, stewardship responsibilities, and data quality standards
• Chair and provide leadership to the University's Data Governance Council
• Guide analytics and reporting strategies and practices across academic, administrative, and financial domains
• Coordinate data sources, systems, and analytics infrastructure in partnership with ITS
• Support accreditation, program review, strategic planning, assessment, and institutional effectiveness initiatives
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the provost on matters related to academic planning, program development, enrollment trends, and institutional innovation
• Develop and implement tools to assess the impacts of potential academic innovations
• Provide data and analytical support to senior leaders in assessing opportunities for institutional innovation
• Serve as a member of the provost's leadership team, providing strategic counsel on institutional performance, resource allocation, student success, academic priorities

Skills

Data governance

Data architecture

Analytics platforms

Enterprise data warehouses

Leadership

Communication

Data storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in data analytics or related field

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

Workday

Banner

Job description

Drake University invites applications for the Executive Director of University Data and Institutional Research to lead data strategy, governance, and analytics across the university. This role partners with IT Services to establish standards for data sources, systems, and tools and to support innovation across the academic division.

The Executive Director will guide data governance, develop an institution-wide analytics framework, oversee IR staff, and ensure accurate reporting to IPEDS,