Senior Analyst, Institutional Performance Analytics and Benchmarking

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Virginia seeks a Senior Analyst to support institutional rankings, benchmarking, and analytics. This role manages cross-functional data submissions, translates ranking methodologies into insights, and serves as liaison with external benchmarking bodies.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in institutional research, strong SQL/Python/R skills, and experience with visualization tools. This is a hybrid, full-time position reporting to the Assistant Director for Research and Data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative, data-intensive, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of professional experience in institutional research or higher education data analysis.
• Proficiency in SQL, Python, R, SAS or similar; strong data visualization skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate stakeholders across university offices for rankings and benchmarking projects.
• Develop analytical models, dashboards, peer benchmarking studies, and strategic recommendations.
• Manage data submissions to external ranking bodies and ensure data quality and consistency.

Skills

SQL

Python

R

SAS

Education

Bachelor's degree in a quantitative, data-intensive, or related field

Master's degree in a related field

Tools

Qlik

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

The Office of Institutional Research and Analytics (IRA) serves as the University of Virginia's central source of data, analytics, survey research, and reporting on institutional performance. IRA compiles and validates data for federal and state compliance (IPEDS, State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV)), coordinates the University's participation in national and international rankings (U.S. News & World Report, Times Higher Education, QS, and others), and supports strategic decision-making for the Provost and other senior leaders. IRA values accuracy, transparency, and rigorous data stewardship, and it works in close partnership with Advancement, Communications, Faculty Affairs, Finance, Human Resources, IT, Student Enrollment (including the Registrar, Admissions, and Financial Aid), and other academic and administrative units across the University.

Position Summary

The University of Virginia is seeking a Senior Analyst to support the University's institutional rankings, benchmarking, and comparative analytics initiatives. This is an individual-contributor role (non-supervisory) intended for a mid-career to senior analyst who can independently manage complex, deadline-driven data submissions and translate ranking methodologies into actionable institutional insights. The analyst will serve as a point of contact for external benchmarking organizations, coordinate with relevant University stakeholders prior to submission, and ensure the accuracy and consistency of data for these efforts. This position reports to the Assistant Director for Research and Data Analytics and works independently on a portfolio of recurring and ad hoc projects.

Responsibilities

The position serves as the project manager for institution-wide rankings and benchmarking initiatives. The incumbent coordinates stakeholders across multiple university offices, manages reporting timelines and deliverables, and ensures the successful completion of complex, cross-functional initiatives supporting the University's strategic goals. Working collaboratively across academic and administrative units, the incumbent develops analytical models, performance dashboards, peer benchmarking studies, and strategic recommendations that support institutional planning, performance, and strategic decision-making. Additionally, the incumbent will:

• Serve as the institutional lead for major ranking organizations including U.S. News, Times Higher Education, QS, and other external surveys.
• Compile, reconcile, and validate institutional data drawn from internal systems, such as University Business Intelligence (UBI), and ensure alignment with each organization's specific data definitions.
• Serve as the central point of contact for ranking-related initiatives, ensuring clear communication of requirements, deadlines, methodology changes, and deliverables.
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings, establish reporting requirements, monitor project progress, and proactively address risks, dependencies, and data quality issues.
• Develop standardized workflows, documentation, and governance practices to support efficient and consistent rankings submissions across reporting cycles.
• Develop and maintain institutional benchmarking datasets using peer and aspirational peer institutions.
• Conduct statistical analyses and predictive modeling to identify factors influencing ranking outcomes.
• Design executive dashboards to track ranking metrics and institutional performance indicators.
• Produce annual rankings reports, benchmarking analyses, and strategic recommendations for university leadership.
• Respond to ad hoc data requests related to rankings and institutional benchmarking from academic and administrative units across the University.
• Represent the University at relevant professional conferences, webinars, and working groups related to institutional rankings and benchmarking.
• Collaborate within IRA and with university data stewards, academic units, and communications liaisons to ensure timely, accurate data provision.
• Identify opportunities to improve internal data infrastructure, documentation, and workflows supporting the rankings and benchmarking function.
• Support institutional strategic planning initiatives through data-informed analysis and performance

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative, data-intensive, or related field (e.g., Statistics, Economics, Public Policy, Higher Education, Data Science) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three (3) to Five (5) years of professional experience in institutional research, higher education data analysis, or a related analytical field,
• Demonstrated experience managing complex data submissions under firm deadlines.
• Proficiency in data analysis languages, such as SQL, Python, R, SAS, or similar software; and in visualization tools such as Qlik, Tableau, Power BI, or similar software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex data into clear narratives for senior audiences.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple concurrent priorities without direct supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of higher education data structures and definitions (e.g., IPEDS, Common Data Set).
• Master's degree in a related field.
• Familiarity with student information systems and enterprise data warehouses.
• Experience with predictive or scenario modeling related to ranking methodology changes.

Essential Skills

• Strong analytical and quantitative reasoning skills, with rigorous attention to data accuracy and detail.
• Ability to interpret and apply detailed, evolving external methodologies to internal data.
• Strong project management skills, particularly around deadline-sensitive, multi-stakeholder data collection.
• Demonstrated discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment when handling sensitive, confidential, or high-visibility institutional data.
• Collaborative working style suited to partnering across academic and administrative units without formal authority over those units.

Physical Demands

This role is primarily sedentary, involving extensive use of a computer and standard office equipment. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.

Salary Range

Anticipated hiring range: $85,000–$100,000, commensurate with education and experience. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Position Type & Work Location

This is a full-time, exempt, non-supervisory staff position. Hybrid work arrangement available.

The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis protected by law.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.