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Director Institutional Research Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Direct experience utilizing NC State systems or equivalent institutional frameworks: RED PT, PD and PAM, PeopleSoft Financials, and Wolf Reports. * Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified ...

... Director, research faculty, economists and staff. The Research Analyst will also work closely with ... Collaborate with fellow research analysts, economists, and other institutional stakeholders to ...

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Director Institutional Research information

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$49.6K

$81.4K

$129.8K

How much do director institutional research jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for director institutional research in Raleigh, NC is $81,375.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,100.00 and $95,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a director institutional research?

A Director of Institutional Research is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing the collection, analysis, and reporting of data within an educational institution, typically at colleges or universities. Their main role is to provide data-driven insights to support decision-making, planning, and assessment processes. They often manage teams, develop research methodologies, ensure data quality, and communicate findings to administrators and stakeholders. The director also ensures compliance with accreditation requirements and external reporting obligations. Their work is crucial for institutional effectiveness and strategic planning.

What are some typical challenges faced by a director institutional research when working with stakeholders across campus?

Directors of Institutional Research often navigate the challenge of balancing diverse data requests from various campus stakeholders, such as administrators, faculty, and accreditation bodies. This requires strong communication skills to clarify data needs, set realistic expectations, and ensure data integrity while managing tight deadlines. Additionally, they must stay current with evolving compliance standards and effectively translate complex data analyses into actionable insights for decision-makers. Collaboration and the ability to build trust with different departments are key to overcoming these challenges and delivering meaningful results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director institutional research, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Institutional Research, you need expertise in data analysis, research methodologies, and higher education policy, usually backed by an advanced degree in statistics, education, or a related field. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (such as SPSS or SAS), data visualization tools, and institutional reporting systems is essential. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are crucial for managing teams and presenting findings to diverse stakeholders. These skills enable the director to drive data-informed decision-making, support accreditation, and foster institutional improvement.

What are popular job titles related to Director Institutional Research jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Director Institutional Research jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Institutional Research jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Institutional Research jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Director Institutional Research jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Director Institutional Research job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Institutional Research job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,375 per year, or $39.1 per hour.

Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Administration

NCSU

Raleigh, NC

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


North Carolina State University rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

465th of 627 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Posting Information
Posting Number PG194788EP Internal Recruitment No Working Title Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Administration Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with experience and education Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm, overtime as required to meet deadlines Job Location Raleigh, NC Department Office of Sponsored Programs About the Department
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is NC State's central administrative hub for institutional research administration. OSP provides enterpriselevel leadership and operational support across three core institutional areas:
  • Institutional PreAward Services
  • Institutional Contract Negotiations
  • Institutional Research Systems & Reporting

OSP oversees all institutional preaward and nonfinancial postaward activities, including proposal review, submission, negotiation, acceptance, and award management for more than 3,700 annual actions and over $500M in sponsored funding. The office leads the configuration, governance, and reporting infrastructure for the university's research administration systems and partners closely with OPAFS, the Office of Research Commercialization, the Office of Information Technology, General Counsel, and academic units to ensure that NC State's research enterprise operates with integrity, efficiency, and resilience.
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits
As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Retirement Programs
  • Disability Plans
  • Life Insurance
  • Accident Plan
  • Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
  • 12 Holidays Each Year
  • Tuition and Academic Assistance
  • And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Essential Job Duties
The Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Administration  (AVC-RA) serves as the university's senior executive leader for sponsored programs and institutional research administration, providing strategic oversight of enterprise-wide pre-award services, sponsored project administration, research contracts, research administration systems, and research administration data governance. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, the AVC leads a high-performing leadership team that includes the Director of Institutional Research Systems & Reporting, the Director of Research Administration & Campus Liaison, and additional OSP directors. Working collaboratively with university leadership, colleges, research centers, faculty, federal sponsors, and administrative partners, the AVC ensures a coordinated, compliant, and service-oriented research administration enterprise that advances NC State's research mission while strengthening institutional stewardship and operational excellence.
As the AVC RA, you will shape the future of research administration at one of the nation's leading public research universities. Your leadership will influence how investigators secure external funding, how research operations evolve to meet an increasingly complex regulatory environment, and how institutional systems, data, and policies support innovation at scale. Success in this position comes from balancing strategic vision with collaborative leadership-building trusted partnerships across the university, championing continuous improvement, and fostering an environment where faculty and research administrators have the resources, guidance, and infrastructure needed to expand NC State's research impact.
Key Responsibilities fall within the following functional areas.

Strategic Leadership & Research Administration:
  • Provide strategic leadership for the university's sponsored programs enterprise, aligning research administration priorities with institutional goals and the evolving external funding landscape.
  • Advise the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and university leadership on research administration strategy, sponsored programs, regulatory compliance, institutional risk, and operational effectiveness.
  • Lead the development and implementation of university-wide policies, governance, and business practices that strengthen research administration and support faculty success.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, service excellence, continuous improvement, and accountability across the Office of Sponsored Programs and the broader research community.
Enterprise Oversight & Risk Management:
  • Provide executive oversight of institutional pre-award operations, research agreements, and sponsored programs administration to ensure consistent, compliant, and customer-focused service delivery.
  • Safeguard the university's legal, financial, and operational interests through effective risk management, contract oversight, and compliance with federal, state, and sponsor requirements.
  • Lead the university's response to significant regulatory changes, audits, investigations, and other matters impacting the research enterprise.
Research Systems, Data & Operational Excellence:
  • Provide executive sponsorship for research administration systems, institutional data governance, and modernization initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and decision-making.
  • Champion technology, process improvement, and analytics strategies that strengthen research administration services and support institutional growth.
  • Ensure research administration infrastructure evolves to meet the changing needs of faculty, sponsors, and the university.
University & External Engagement:
  • Build trusted partnerships with university leadership, faculty, colleges, and research administrators to advance the institution's research mission.
  • Represent NC State in relationships with federal agencies, industry, nonprofit organizations, and national research administration associations.
  • Serve as the university's senior institutional representative for complex sponsor negotiations, strategic collaborations, and matters requiring executive-level consultation.
If you are a collaborative and strategic leader who is passionate about advancing research, building strong institutional partnerships, and shaping the future of research administration, we encourage you to apply.
Other Responsibilities
In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there will be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
Requires a relevant post-Baccalaureate degree with a minimum of three (3) years or greater of related professional experience, or a relevant undergraduate degree and a minimum of five (5) years or greater of relevant experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.
Other Required Qualifications
  • Extensive progressively responsible leadership experience in sponsored programs, research administration, or a closely related function within a large, complex research institution.
  • Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide research administration operations, including developing strategy, guiding organizational change, and advancing operational excellence.
  • Experience negotiating complex research agreements and managing institutional risk while ensuring compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and university policies.
  • Proven ability to lead organizational transformation through process improvement, technology modernization, or implementation of enterprise research administration systems.
  • Demonstrated success building collaborative partnerships, influencing executive and academic leaders, and leading high-performing teams within a decentralized organization.
  • Exceptional communication, strategic decision-making, and relationship management skills with the ability to represent the institution in complex, high-impact matters.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Terminal degree (e.g., PhD, JD, or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
  • Executive leadership experience within an R1 university or similarly complex research-intensive organization.
  • Experience leading enterprise-wide research administration technology, data governance, or institutional modernization initiatives.
  • Demonstrated success leading and developing senior leaders within a large, decentralized organizational environment.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required No Commercial Driver's License required No
Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions
Job Open Date 08/10/2026 Anticipated Close Date 10/1/2026; if posting is active we are still accepting and reviewing applications Special Instructions to Applicants
Please include a resume, letter of interest summarizing your qualifications, and the names and contact information of three professional references.
Inquiries may be directed to Justin Lang, Director, Executive Search Services, at 919-513-1963 or justin_lang@ncsu.edu.
Position Details
Position Number 00001681 Position Type EPS/SAAO Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.00 Appointment 12 Month Recurring Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event Department ID 060401 - ORI-Ofc of Sponsored Programs EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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About North Carolina State University

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North Carolina State University (NCSU), located in Raleigh, NC, US, is a leading educational institution with a strong emphasis on research, academics, and public service. Established in 1887, NCSU operates in the education industry and endeavors to foster student success, and promote economic development by providing high-quality, affordable education, and conducting groundbreaking research across a variety of disciplines. With more than 100 majors, its academic offerings range from undergraduates to postgraduates along with doctoral studies - in various fields like engineering, natural resources, humanities, and social sciences. NCSU is firmly anchored on the core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, and innovation. Its mission is to create economic, societal, and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina and the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Raleigh, NC, US

Year founded

1887