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Institutional Research Manager Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

UAB NOVA RENT

RESEARCHER ASSOCIATE

Birmingham, AL · On-site

Knowledge of research compliance requirements, including animal care and use regulations, radiation safety, and institutional research policies. * Knowledge of data management practices and basic ...

UAB NOVA RENT

RESEARCHER SENIOR

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$60K/yr

Research Leadership and Project Management: Provides strategic direction for research initiatives ... Ensures compliance with institutional policies, regulatory requirements, and research protocols.

Houston Methodist

$24 - $32/hr

Prepares Institutional Research Board (IRB) documents under the direction of the PI, assists with ... Manages own time effectively and prioritizes work to achieve maximum results in a timely manner.

StoneX Group

Senior Research Analyst

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

With 4,300 employees and over 400,000 retail and institutional clients from more than 80 offices ... research, and management technology. This role can be based in any of our US offices.

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Institutional Research Manager information

What does an institutional research manager do?

An Institutional Research Manager oversees the collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to a college or university's operations. They support decision-making by providing insights on student enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and program effectiveness. Their work ensures that the institution meets accreditation requirements, complies with government regulations, and improves overall institutional effectiveness. These professionals often lead a team and collaborate with various departments to fulfill data requests and strategic planning.

How does an institutional research manager typically collaborate with academic and administrative departments to support data-driven decision making?

Institutional Research Managers regularly work with both academic and administrative departments to gather, analyze, and interpret data that informs strategic planning and policy development. They facilitate data requests, present findings to key stakeholders, and often lead training sessions on data literacy. Effective collaboration requires strong communication skills, as the manager must translate complex data into actionable insights tailored to each department’s needs, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.

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

To thrive as an Institutional Research Manager, you need strong analytical, statistical, and data interpretation skills, typically supported by a master’s degree in education, statistics, or a related field. Proficiency with data analysis software such as SPSS, SAS, or Tableau, and familiarity with institutional databases and reporting systems, is usually required. Excellent communication, project management, and critical thinking skills help you present findings clearly and collaborate across university departments. These abilities are vital for providing accurate data-driven insights that support institutional planning, accreditation, and strategic decision-making.

What is the difference between Institutional Research Manager vs Institutional Research Analyst?

AspectInstitutional Research ManagerInstitutional Research Analyst
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in Education, Data Analysis, or related field; experience in research rolesBachelor's or Master's degree in Education, Data Analysis, or related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentLeads research projects, manages teams, collaborates with administrationPerforms data collection, analysis, and reporting under supervision
Employer & IndustryColleges, universities, higher education institutionsColleges, universities, higher education institutions

The Institutional Research Manager oversees research initiatives, manages staff, and collaborates with university leadership, while the Institutional Research Analyst focuses on data collection and analysis tasks. Both roles are essential in higher education settings, but the manager has broader responsibilities and leadership duties.

What are the most commonly searched types of Institutional Research jobs in Alabama?

The most popular types of Institutional Research jobs in Alabama are:

What are popular job titles related to Institutional Research Manager jobs in Alabama?

For Institutional Research Manager jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Institutional Research Manager jobs in Alabama look for?

The top searched job categories for Institutional Research Manager jobs in Alabama are:

What cities in Alabama are hiring for Institutional Research Manager jobs?

Cities in Alabama with the most Institutional Research Manager job openings:

Institutional Research Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Institutional Research Manager job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Senior Director of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness

Troy University

Troy, AL • On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

Troy University rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

69th of 623 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Posting Details
Position Information
Posting Number
SF2583P
Position Title
Senior Director of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness
Position Type
Professional/Salaried
Department
Institutional Research Planning and Effectiveness - Troy
Division
Finance and Administration
Campus
Troy
Work Status
Full-Time (FT)
Temporary
No
Location
Troy - T01
Job Summary
The Director of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness position typically oversees institutional effectiveness, assessment, accreditation, and data-driven decision-making across the university. The core responsibilities are:
1. Institutional Effectiveness & Assessment
  • Develop and maintain the institution's comprehensive effectiveness framework
  • Coordinate assessment of student learning outcomes (SLOs) across all academic programs
  • Oversee program-level assessment plans and results
  • Aggregate assessment data and report findings to leadership and accreditors
  • Help faculty and departments use assessment results for continuous improvement
  • Ensure alignment between institutional mission, goals, and assessment activities

2. Accreditation & Compliance
  • Serve as liaison to regional and specialized accreditors
  • Prepare self-study reports and accreditation documentation
  • Coordinate institutional response to accreditation recommendations
  • Track compliance with accreditation standards
  • Manage accreditation timelines and evidence collection
  • Prepare for accreditation visits

3. Strategic Planning
  • Develop and maintain the institution's strategic plan
  • Align strategic goals with mission and accreditation standards
  • Coordinate strategic planning process with all stakeholders
  • Monitor progress on strategic initiatives
  • Publish annual strategic plan updates and progress reports
  • Connect strategic goals to budget and resource allocation

4. Institutional Research & Analytics
  • Collect, analyze, and report institutional data
  • Produce regular dashboards and reports (enrollment, retention, graduation, demographics, financial, etc.)
  • Conduct ad hoc research and analysis for decision-makers
  • Maintain data integrity and institutional databases
  • Benchmark against peer institutions
  • Publish fact books and data summaries

5. Program Review & Evaluation
  • Develop and oversee program review process (academic and administrative)
  • Coordinate annual or periodic reviews of all programs
  • Ensure reviews include student learning outcomes, enrollment, retention, costs
  • Help programs develop improvement plans based on review findings
  • Track implementation of improvement recommendations
  • Report program review results to leadership

6. Learning Outcomes & Curriculum Alignment
  • Develop institution-wide general education learning outcomes
  • Map program-level outcomes to institutional outcomes
  • Coordinate assessment of general education across disciplines
  • Work with faculty on outcomes development and rubric creation
  • Help departments document student achievement of learning outcomes
  • Use outcome data to inform curriculum improvements

7. Data & Reporting Systems
  • Oversee institutional data warehouse or systems
  • Ensure accurate, timely data collection and reporting
  • Provide training on data tools and dashboards
  • Maintain institutional research databases
  • Coordinate with IT on data systems and security
  • Publish regular reports (enrollment, retention, graduation, demographics, etc.)

8. Stakeholder Communication
  • Present data and findings to Board of Trustees
  • Brief senior leadership on institutional performance
  • Support department chairs with assessment and program review
  • Communicate effectiveness results to faculty and staff
  • Respond to data requests from various departments
  • Publish annual effectiveness reports

9. Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Identify trends and areas for improvement
  • Support departments in implementing evidence-based changes
  • Track whether improvement initiatives are working
  • Conduct surveys (student satisfaction, employee engagement, etc.)
  • Use data to support institutional decision-making

10. Budget & Resource Alignment
  • Analyze resource allocation in relation to outcomes
  • Support evidence-based budgeting
  • Help justify resource requests with assessment data
  • Track ROI on institutional investments
  • Coordinate with CFO on budget decisions informed by effectiveness data

11. Staff Leadership & Team Management
  • Supervise IR/Assessment staff
  • Manage IRPE office budget and operations
  • Provide professional development for team
  • Coordinate with other departments (Registrar, Admissions, Finance, etc.)
  • Build collaborative relationships across campus

12. Professional Development & Best Practices
  • Stay current on institutional effectiveness trends and standards
  • Attend professional conferences (AIR, ACUHO, regional associations)
  • Share best practices with peers
  • Implement new assessment methods and tools
  • Mentor faculty and staff on assessment design

Key Competencies for the Director
  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Strong writing and presentation skills
  • Leadership and collaboration
  • Knowledge of accreditation standards
  • Project management
  • Educational assessment expertise
  • Strategic thinking
  • Attention to detail

Minimum Qualifications
  1. Master's degree from an accredited university in a field requiring extensive use of statistics (e.g., statistics, data science, research methods, social science research, or related field).
  2. Minimum of five to seven years of experience managing a technical team operating under institutional policy and accreditation requirements.
  3. Demonstrated expertise in statistical analysis, data management, and relevant technologies.
  4. Knowledge of database administration, data collection, and data governance practices.
  5. Knowledge of survey instrument design, survey software, and data analysis methods and tools.
  6. Knowledge of SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation and ACHE rules and regulations.
  7. Strong project and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
  8. Strong interpersonal and team-building skills.
  9. Ability to interpret technical specifications and instructions and provide sound evaluations.
  10. Ability to work independently, exercising judgment on confidential and complex matters with minimal supervision.
  11. Ability to bring creative, innovative solutions to problems with a commitment to teamwork and service.
  12. Ability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally in an official University capacity.

Preferred Qualifications
  1. Doctoral degree in a relevant field.
  2. Experience with survey/assessment platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Campus Labs, Anthology).
  3. Experience with student information systems (e.g., Banner, Colleague).
  4. Direct experience preparing SACSCOC or ACHE compliance reports.

Will this position require driving (personal vehicle, university vehicle, utility vehicle, or golf cart) in order to perform the job duties?
No
Work Hours
Standard office hours
Some additional work may be required during evenings and weekend as needed.
List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position
N/A
Does this position have supervisory responsibility?
Yes
Posting Date
08/25/2026
Closing Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Quick Link
https://www.troyuniversityjobs.com/postings/48189

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