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Executive Director of Institutional Research & Strategic Analytics

Search #: 499578
Work type: Full-time
Location: UConn Storrs
Categories: Executive

OVERVIEW

The University of Connecticut’s Institutional Research (IR) unit is in an exciting transitional phase with a new reporting line to the Provost’s Office and a renewed mission that includes providing decision analytics in support of institutional strategy grounded in data. The change has facilitated a close partnership with the institution’s innovation unit, i3 (https://i3.uconn.edu ), whereby the transition between institutional data (IR) and the development of analytic software tools (i3) to support strategic decision-making has become seamless. To that end, the institution seeks a strategic thinker who can lead the IR unit, leverage the partnership with i3, and continue to take the institution to new heights.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director of Institutional Research & Strategic Analytics serves as the University’s lead strategist for institutional data, analytics, and rankings performance. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Academic Operations, this role provides executive-level leadership for institutional research, official reporting, and enterprise analytics in support of the Provost and senior leadership.

The Executive Director ensures the University’s institutional reporting, analytics capabilities, and performance metrics advance strategic priorities, strengthen competitive positioning in national and global rankings, and inform high-level decision-making across academic and administrative units.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as principal advisor to the Provost’s Office and senior leadership on institutional performance, rankings strategy, benchmarking, and competitive positioning.
• Lead institutional rankings strategy, including analysis of methodologies, scenario modeling, and identification of high-impact improvement levers.
• Translate the University’s strategic priorities into measurable performance indicators and executive-ready insights.
• Provide forward-looking analyses and predictive modeling to inform academic planning, student success initiatives, faculty hiring, research performance, and resource allocation decisions.
• Prepare high-impact dashboards, executive briefings, and data narratives for senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Provide overall leadership and direction for the Institutional Research office, including prioritization of analytic work and development of staff capacity.
• Oversee submission of all official institutional data to federal and state agencies, accreditors, and ranking organizations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and consistency.
• Maintain deep expertise in evolving reporting standards and national/global ranking methodologies and proactively assess institutional implications.
• Partner with institutional stakeholders such as Information Technology Services, Budget Office, Global Affairs, Human Resources, Enrollment, Registrar, Institutional Insights & Innovation (i3), and others to align reporting processes, strengthen data governance practices, and improve analytic tools.
• Promote data-informed decision-making and consistent data definitions across academic and administrative units.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, data science/analytics, public policy, economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, with a focus on directing institutional research, analytics, strategic planning, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervising a complex quantitative department.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex modeling, institutional reporting and external data submissions.
• Demonstrated quantitative/analytical expertise and the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for executive audiences.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience leading rankings strategy at a research-intensive institution.
• Experience developing enterprise dashboards and predictive analytics tools in partnership with IT or data teams.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time position located at the Storrs campus. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits, please visit https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/ and explore the sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

EEO STATEMENTS

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community. The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.