Institutional Research Analyst

Aurora University; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora University is seeking an Institutional Research Analyst to support planning, accreditation, and decision-making. You will perform advanced analyses, automate reporting, and contribute to data warehouse initiatives across campus.

You will translate complex findings into clear insights for university leaders and partners, while ensuring data governance and compliance with FERPA and privacy standards.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in institutional research, higher education analytics, or related field
• Advanced ability to query, combine, validate, analyze, and interpret complex data using SQL and analytics tools
• Experience developing clear reports/dashboards using Power BI or Tableau
• Strong knowledge of quantitative methods and data-quality practices
• Ability to translate business questions into analytical specifications and document data definitions
• Ability to manage recurring compliance work and multiple analytical projects with accuracy

Responsibilities

• Collect, validate, maintain, analyze, and report institutional data to support university-wide planning and accountability.
• Lead complex recurring and ad hoc analyses related to enrollment, retention, outcomes, and program performance; translate results for varied audiences.
• Coordinate and prepare external reports (IPEDS, CDS, NCAA) and maintain a calendar of requirements.
• Monitor reporting changes and collaborate to implement timely updates.
• Develop, test, and improve reproducible data processes, queries, data models, dashboards, and reports.
• Assist in data warehouse solutions and reporting workflows, including data governance and validation procedures.
• Translate complex data into accessible reports and executive summaries for leaders and campus partners.
• Provide guidance and training to colleagues on data use and reporting standards.

Skills

SQL

Power BI

Tableau

Analytical thinking

Communication

Excel

R

Python

SAS

SPSS

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's preferred

Tools

SQL

R

Python

SAS

SPSS

Job description

The Institutional Research Analyst will support Institutional Effectiveness and Decision Support’s core purpose by providing data support and analytical functions for university-wide accreditation, compliance, reporting, planning, and decision-making. The analyst performs advanced quantitative analyses, develops and automates repeatable reporting processes, contributes to data warehouse and analytics solutions, and translates complex findings into clear, actionable insights for university leaders and campus partners.

Core Competencies

1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. Our singular goal is to empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

• Collect, validate, maintain, analyze, and report institutional data from enterprise systems and external sources to support university-wide planning, decision-making, assessment, and accountability.
• Lead or independently complete complex recurring and ad hoc analyses related to enrollment, retention, persistence, completion, student outcomes, academic programs, and other institutional priorities; interpret results and communicate actionable findings to varied audiences.
• Coordinate and prepare assigned federal, state, accreditation, association, and other external reports, including IPEDS, the Common Data Set, NCAA reporting, and related compliance submissions; maintain a calendar of requirements, definitions, documentation, and changes.
• Monitor changes to reporting requirements and data definitions, assess institutional impact, and partner with the Senior Director and relevant stakeholders to implement timely updates.
• Develop, document, test, and improve reproducible data processes, queries, data models, dashboards, and reports using SQL, visualization tools, and other analytics technologies.
• Assist in developing, updating, and automating data warehouse solutions and reporting workflows, including source-to-target logic, business rules, validation procedures, and scheduled outputs.
• Perform advanced data quality assurance by reconciling sources, investigating anomalies, validating calculations, documenting findings, and coordinating issue resolution with data owners and technical partners.
• Translate complex data into accessible reports, visualizations, executive summaries, and presentations that clearly communicate trends, implications, limitations, and recommended next steps.
• Consult with university offices to clarify analytical questions, define measures, select appropriate methods, and ensure that results are interpreted and used responsibly.
• Contribute to institutional research studies, survey analyses, accreditation evidence, program review, strategic planning, key performance indicators, and evaluation of institutional initiatives.
• Maintain clear technical and procedural documentation, including data definitions, query logic, report specifications, quality-control steps, and version history.
• Support campus data literacy and responsible data use by providing guidance, documentation, and training to colleagues and report users.
• Apply FERPA, human-subjects research requirements, data governance standards, and university privacy and security practices in all work.
• Provide analytical guidance and peer review for less complex reporting or analysis work and contribute to a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in research, social science, educational research, mathematics, information systems, or another field with a strong quantitative or research-methods emphasis required. Master’s degree in a related field preferred.

Experience and Skills

• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, higher education analytics, business intelligence, data analysis, or a closely related field required.

• Advanced ability to query, combine, validate, analyze, and interpret complex data using SQL and one or more analytical tools or languages such as R, Python, SAS, or SPSS.
• Demonstrated experience developing clear reports, dashboards, or data visualizations using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or comparable platforms.
• Strong knowledge of quantitative research methods, descriptive and inferential statistics, data-quality practices, and responsible interpretation of results.
• Ability to understand relational data structures, translate business questions into analytical specifications, and document data definitions and transformation logic.
• Ability to manage recurring compliance work and multiple analytical projects with accuracy, sound judgment, and attention to deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, including the ability to explain technical findings to nontechnical audiences.
• Strong consultation, collaboration, organization, and documentation skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and working proficiency with Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently, identify risks or inconsistencies, recommend solutions, and appropriately escalation issues.