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Director Of Institutional Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sou

Director of Institutional Research

Ashland, OR · On-site

$98K - $110K/yr

The Director of Institutional Research is a pivotal leadership role responsible for providing foundational data, analytics, and strategic thinking to advance the university's priorities. This ...

Bryn Mawr College

Reporting tothe Director of Institutional Research,Planning, and Assessmentand working closely withsenior leadership, faculty, and administrative partners, the Associate Director supports ...

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How much do director of institutional research jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of institutional research in the United States is $83,712.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Director of Institutional Research do?

A Director of Institutional Research oversees the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data to support decision-making within a college or university. They are responsible for providing accurate reports on student enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and other key performance indicators. This role often involves preparing data for accreditation, strategic planning, and policy development. The Director also ensures compliance with federal and state reporting requirements and may collaborate with multiple departments to inform institutional effectiveness.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Institutional Research, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Institutional Research, you need expertise in data analysis, research methodology, and higher education assessment, typically supported by an advanced degree in education, statistics, or a related field. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS, SAS, or R), data visualization tools, and institutional reporting systems is essential. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help drive collaboration and informed decision-making. These skills are crucial for ensuring data-driven strategies, regulatory compliance, and institutional effectiveness in higher education settings.

What is the difference between Director Of Institutional Research vs Data Analyst?

AspectDirector Of Institutional ResearchData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Education, Research, or related field; experience in institutional researchBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, or related field; analytical skills
Work EnvironmentHigher education institutions, research departmentsVarious industries including education, healthcare, business
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, educational organizationsCorporations, government agencies, educational institutions
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in researchAnalyzing data to inform decisions

The main difference is that the Director Of Institutional Research oversees research strategies, manages teams, and aligns institutional goals, while a Data Analyst focuses on analyzing data sets to support decision-making. The Director role involves leadership and strategic planning, whereas Data Analysts typically handle data processing and reporting tasks.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Institutional Research, and how can they be addressed?

Directors of Institutional Research often face challenges such as managing large volumes of data from multiple sources, ensuring data accuracy, and meeting tight reporting deadlines. Additionally, they must effectively communicate complex findings to stakeholders with varying levels of technical understanding. To address these challenges, it is important to implement robust data management systems, foster strong collaboration with IT and academic departments, and continuously develop data visualization and presentation skills.

What Does a Director of Institutional Research Do?

A director of institutional research is responsible for leadership and oversight of research activities at colleges and universities. In this career, you collect data on the performance of your institution and coordinate with all departments to analyze and create reports based on the data you compile. You develop an annual research plan for your institution. You are also responsible for the management of reporting requirements and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal agencies. As the director of institutional research, you may be responsible for hiring qualified research staff for the college.

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Director Of Institutional Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Institutional Research job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,712 per year, or $40.2 per hour.

Director of Institutional Research

MIDLAND COLLEGE

Midland, TX

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

The Director of Institutional Research provides leadership, expertise, and operational oversight for the College’s institutional research function, ensuring the accurate collection, validation, analysis, interpretation, and communication of institutional data to support informed decision-making. This role leads the planning, coordination, and execution of institutional research activities; oversees state and federal reporting, accreditation support, institutional effectiveness reporting, and research requests; and ensures the consistent application of data definitions, methodologies, and reporting standards across the institution.

The Director supervises the Institutional Research team and is responsible for producing timely, accurate, and actionable information that supports planning, compliance, continuous improvement, and student success. This role oversees research projects, cohort tracking, KPI reporting, dashboards, surveys, and emerging analytical initiatives while translating complex data into meaningful insights for campus stakeholders.

Working collaboratively with the Vice President of Strategy & Analytics, the Director ensures institutional leaders have reliable, understandable, and actionable information to support planning, operational decision-making, and continuous institutional improvement.

Midland College Core ValuesAt Midland College, our work is guided by the core values of YES!, STUDENTS., and ACT. The Director of Institutional Research is expected to demonstrate these values by approaching challenges with curiosity and solutions-oriented thinking, centering work on student success, and delivering high-quality results that support the College’s mission.

  • Lead and supervise the Institutional Research team, establishing priorities, managing workflow, supporting professional development, and ensuring the timely completion of research, reporting, and compliance activities
  • Direct the design and execution of institutional research, including cohort tracking, KPI reporting, surveys, longitudinal analyses, and ad hoc research that informs planning and decision-making
  • Oversee the development and maintenance of reports, dashboards, and data visualizations that communicate actionable insights and meet stakeholder needs
  • Provide leadership for state and federal reporting processes (e.g., IPEDS, THECB), ensuring compliance, data integrity, documentation, and continuous improvement of reporting practices
  • Lead institutional research efforts supporting accreditation, program review, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness initiatives
  • Establish and maintain research methodologies, data definitions, reporting standards, and validation processes to promote consistency and confidence in institutional data
  • Translate complex institutional data into clear, meaningful, and actionable insights through reports, presentations, consultations, and executive briefings
  • Oversee the management and effective use of institutional research systems (e.g., ZogoTech), ensuring appropriate documentation of methodologies, cohort logic, and reporting standards
  • Collaborate with the Vice President of Strategy & Analytics and campus leadership to identify emerging research, reporting, and analytical needs that support institutional priorities and student success
  • Stay current on public information, privacy, and data governance requirements (e.g., FOIA/TPIA) and monitor emerging best practices, technologies, and regulations related to institutional research, analytics, and reporting
  • Represent Institutional Research on institutional committees and cross-functional initiatives focused on student success, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum Bachelor’s degree
  • Two years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, data analysis, institutional effectiveness, or a related field
  • Knowledge of higher education data sources and reporting requirements (e.g., IPEDS, THECB, state and federal reporting)
  • Experience working with institutional data systems or data warehouses
  • Demonstrated ability to interpret, analyze, and communicate data to support institutional planning and operational decision-making
  • Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience, including the ability to coordinate priorities, manage projects, and support staff development
  • Strong organizational, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
  • Valid Texas Driver's License and insurability under Midland College's insurance policy

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree
  • Five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, analytics, institutional effectiveness, or a related field
  • Experience leading institutional research, reporting, or assessment functions in higher education
  • Experience applying research and analytics to support strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, or executive decision-making
  • Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for technical and non-technical audiences
  • Experience collaborating with accreditation, compliance, or assessment teams in a higher education environment
  • Experience with survey design and administration
  • Knowledge of statistical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R) and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI)

Physical Demands

  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
  • Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time
  • The person in this position needs to move to other locations on campus occasionally
  • This position may require occasional travel for training, meetings, and events both in and out of town
  • Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
  • Use of manual dexterity
  • The person in this position frequently communicates with others; must be able to exchange accurate information
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus
  • Frequently moves boxes or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds
  • Duties indoors and some outdoors
  • Ability to work extended hours and attend Midland College or community events
  • Perform other duties as needed to support departmental and institutional priorities

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