Job Description

The Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (OPIE) is the central coordinating office for institutional effectiveness and accountability activities. OPIE seeks to provide reliable, systematic, and timely information to academic and administrative units to support the University's policy formation, planning, and decision-making. The Office of Planning and Institution Effectiveness (OPIE) mission is to coordinate institution-wide planning, assessment, evaluation, and institutional research activities in support of the University's four-part mission of instruction, research, extension, and outreach. These activities include strategic and operational planning, assessment, institutional research, and institutional and compliance reporting with state, federal, and accrediting agencies. The Office's efforts identify, analyze, and monitor internal and external trends and developments that influence the University's mission and strategic vision.

The Director of Institutional Research, Analytics and Decision Support oversees the University's institutional research function to support data-informed decision-making. The associate director provides leadership, supervises, and coordinates the strategic operation of the institutional research, analytics, and decision support (IRADS) staff within the Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (OPIE). This position is responsible for developing, managing, and coordinating the collection, organization, maintenance, and analysis of institutional data and research. The Director will serve as a campus leader of data management, data science, and data analytics to support the centralized collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of data information and evidence to make data informed decisions. The position oversees integrated Banner Student Information System and data warehouse functions.

The Director will closely partner with the Executive Director for Institutional Effectiveness to assist the University in meeting strategic goals by developing statistical models, data analytics, operations analysis and research, and planning functions. The Director presents oral and written reports to the administration, deans, department chairs, and other university constituents. The Director will engage all stakeholders (i.e., leadership, deans, chairs, faculty, students, and other decision-makers) in data informed decisions (tactical, operational, and strategic) to drive institutional excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Comprehensive working knowledge of institutional research, its literature, organizations, and practices.
• Excellent knowledge in at least one of the following areas:
  • Data management, data science, and data analytics theory, tools, and practice.
  • Psychometrics and research design.
  • Statistical analyses, interpretation, and storytelling.
• Experience with data governance to ensure accurate, reliable, and consistent institutional data.
• Proficiency in business intelligence tools (e.g., Logi, OBI, SQL, Tableau, PowerBi, Microsoft SQL, SCT banner, SPSS, Blackboard Analytics, EAB Navigate, or WebFocus)
• Comprehensive understanding and demonstrated proficiency working in client/server environments,including extract, transform, and load processes and editing and testing for data integrity, system security and control, and backup and recovery processes.
• Knowledge of tools for survey administration (e.g., Qualtrics, QuestionPro, SurveyMonkey, and EvaluationKit).
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and other state and federal reporting requirements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of systems analysis, database design techniques and tools, and project management.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, manage, analyze, interpret, and report internal and external data and information relevant to the University's academic programs, students, human resources, finances, marketing, long-range planning, decision-making, and internal and external reporting.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and organizational skills while paying attention to detail and directing others toward completed actions.
• Ability to coordinate staff work, work in a team environment, and perform effectively independently and as a collaborator with diverse campus administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze user requirements use proven methodologies to design and implement information management and data warehouse systems to meet requirements, and create, test, and debug complex system output.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with technical, non-technical, and functional personnel, including presenting data and information effectively to a diverse range of audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with all segments of the university community and external agencies/partners.
  • Learn new ideas, procedures, processes, and computer software quickly and independently.
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required.
  • Three years of progressively responsible administrative or professional experience in data management, data analytics, or research.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in education research, social/behavioral science, statistics, or a related field that emphasizes data management and data analytics preferred.

Special Instruction to Applicants

Virginia State University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, race, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. VSU encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Virginia State University only accepts applications for this position through the on-line state Recruitment Management System (RMS). Faxed, e-mailed, and mailed applications and/or attachments will not be accepted. The application must be detailed and fully completed. All employment and periods of unemployment (if applicable) must be listed within the application; either on an attached resume, or manually listed in the "Relevant Work History" section. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application, therefore, it is essential to fully complete each section of the application and provide descriptive information. Submitting an incomplete state application, or a state application lacking in detail, may result in your non-selection. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested persons must attach a cover letter and a current resume/c.v to the online application. Official transcripts will be required at the time of employment.

The selected candidate will be subject to an extensive and complete background check, which may include fingerprinting. The candidate may be required to complete a Statement of Economic Interest as a condition of employment, if applicable.

Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx , or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer

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Position Number

FA629

Working Title

Director of Institutional Research, Analytics, and Decision Support

Pay Band

UG

Salary Range

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Date Posted

02/16/2023

Closing Date

Open until filled.

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