Director of Institutional Research

POSITION SUMMARY: Date application must be received for priority consideration by: April 20, 2026 Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: May 18, 2026 Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled: Job Family Group: Administrative and Professional Division/Department: Academic and Student Affairs/Provost Office Compensation Range (commensurate with experience): $98,000-$110,000 annually @ 1.0 FTE FLSA Status: Exempt Appointment Basis: 12-month Time Type: Full-time Benefits Eligible: Yes Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration/Temporary: Renewable This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: No This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes Work Location Type: On-campus Work Hours: Typically M-F (8:00a – 5:00p) Hours may vary based on operational needs. Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT: Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) a letter providing some detail of the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the position; and (2) current resume/CV. - PLEASE NOTE - during the application process, you will be prompted to attach these documents in the area titled "Resume." Please either combine ALL documents into ONE attachment, OR upload each item separately in this section. Failure to upload ALL of the required documents may disqualify application from consideration. For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at or by phone at (541)552-8553. To view SOU’s very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, , demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees. POSITION DESCRIPTION: 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 position serves as the primary architect and steward of the university's continuous improvement efforts, ensuring that data informs decision-making, supports mission alignment, and demonstrates institutional effectiveness to internal and external stakeholders, including the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The Director will lead the collection, analysis, and dissemination of critical institutional data, providing actionable insights to support enrollment management, academic program review, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. Minimum Requirements Master's degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership, Public Policy, Statistics, Social Sciences, or a related quantitative discipline. Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research or institutional effectiveness. Demonstrated experience with regional accreditation processes, preferably with NWCCU, including direct involvement in self-study preparation and reporting. Proven experience in collecting, managing, analyzing, and reporting complex institutional data, including enrollment, student success, and operational metrics. Experience with IPEDS reporting and other federal/state compliance reporting. Experience supervising and developing professional staff. Preferred Requirements Doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in a relevant field. Experience as an Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) for NWCCU. Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI). Familiarity with the unique characteristics and challenges of regional public universities. Proficiency with SPSS, R, SAS and/or advanced Excel for data analysis. Proficiency with Banner or Workday systems and business intelligence tools or assessment within a higher education setting. Essential Functions Duties - The following examples are typical work activities that are meant to illustrate the general range of work functions and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive: (75%) Institutional Research Operations: Directs and manages the university's Institutional Research (IR) function, including the collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data to support strategic planning, operational effectiveness, and external reporting. Oversees the comprehensive collection and analysis of all enrollment data, including applications, admissions, matriculation, retention, progression, and graduation rates, providing timely reports and predictive models to inform enrollment management strategies. Manages all federal, state, and other external reporting requirements, including WICHE, SARA, NWCCU, HECC and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) surveys, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. Develops and maintains a robust data infrastructure, including data definitions, data dictionaries, and data governance policies, in collaboration with IT and other relevant departments. Responds to ad-hoc data requests from university leadership, academic departments, administrative units, and external agencies, providing accurate and insightful analyses. Conducts institutional studies and analyses on key topics such as student success, faculty workload, resource utilization, and peer comparisons to support decision-making and continuous improvement. Utilizes advanced analytical and statistical methods to identify trends, forecast outcomes, and provide actionable recommendations. Presents complex data and analytical findings clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, faculty, and staff. (25%) Leadership and Strategic Support Collaborates closely with the Provost, Provost’s Leadership Council, President's Cabinet and other university leaders to align IR activities with institutional priorities. Stays current with best practices in institutional effectiveness, assessment, accreditation, and institutional research in higher education. Contributes to the university's strategic planning processes by providing data-driven insights and analytical support. Fosters a culture of data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement across the institution. Supervise and mentor IR staff and student workers, fostering their professional development. Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and students across all levels of the institution. Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist. Expressed ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures while under pressure of deadlines. Strong analytical and research skills; demonstrated ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations. Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems. Great ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy. Takes initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail. Excellent organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast paced time-sensitive environment. Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email. Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds. Ability to work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies. Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies, and procedures. Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude. Deep understanding of higher education trends, institutional effectiveness principles, accreditation standards (NWCCU), and best practices in institutional research. Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret complex data, identify patterns, draw logical conclusions, and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate data and analytical insights effectively through written reports, presentations, and verbal discussions. Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines. Collaboration and Influence: Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, build consensus, and influence data-informed decision-making. Problem-Solving: Proactive and creative approach to identifying and solving complex institutional challenges. Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in data manipulation, statistical analysis, and reporting tools. Ethical Conduct: Commitment to data integrity, confidentiality, and ethical research practices. Special Conditions Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development. Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis. Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This position classification has been defined as exempt and is not subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The person holding this position is considered a mandatory reporter under the Oregon Revised Statutes and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Human Services. _________________________ SOU is an equal access AA/EOE committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Southern Oregon University will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on this application. If, however, you require a reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process due to disability, requests must be made in a timely manner to Human Resources. Diversity Statement: Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity, our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity, we strengthen and enrich our role as learners, educators, and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity, to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community. SOU Land Acknowledgement We want to take this moment to acknowledge that Southern Oregon University is located within the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Takelma, and Latgawa peoples who lived here since time immemorial. These Tribes were displaced during rapid Euro-American colonization, the Gold Rush, and armed conflict between 1851 and 1856. In the 1850s, the discovery of gold and settlement brought thousands of Euro-Americans to their lands, leading to warfare, epidemics, starvation, and villages being burned. In 1853 the first of several treaties were signed, confederating these Tribes and others together – who would then be referred to as the Rogue River Tribe. These treaties ceded most of their homelands to the United States, and in return, they were guaranteed a permanent homeland reserved for them. At the end of the Rogue River Wars in 1856, these Tribes and many other Tribes from western Oregon were removed to the Siletz Reservation and the Grand Ronde Reservation. Today, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon ( ) and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians ( ) are living descendants of the Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of this area. We encourage YOU to learn about the land you reside on and to join us in advocating for the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous people. Notice to Prospective Employees Section 485 of the Higher Education Act, and The Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (now referred to as the “Clery Act”), require that prospective employees be notified of the availability of SOU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report provides the annual statistics and campus policies for the reporting of and responding to campus crimes and fires; access to campus facilities; conduct code and campus policies on the use, possession, and sale of drugs/alcohol; and educational/information programs to inform the campus community about campus security procedures and crime prevention. An electronic copy of the Annual Security Report (ASR) can be accessed at the following link: . A physical copy of the ASR is available at no charge upon request. To request a copy, please visit the Office of the General Counsel located in Churchill Hall, 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, Oregon 97520. For more information, call 541-552-7095, or email .