Executive Director of University Data and Institutional Research - 998643

Department Summary:

The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment serves as a source of information about Drake University. The mission of the office is to provide data, reports, and research that support institutional planning, strengthen teaching and learning, and promote understanding of the nature and quality of education at Drake University. More information can be found at our website: www.drake.edu/about/offices/oira

Job Summary:

The Executive Director of University Data and Institutional Research provides institutional leadership for data strategy, governance, institutional research, and academic innovation at Drake University. This role is responsible for establishing and executing a university-wide data and analytics vision/strategy, establishing an institutionally-shared framework and language for using data effectively, collaborating with Information Technology Services to establish and maintain standards for data sources, systems, and tools, and assisting the Provost in assessing and implementing opportunities for innovation across the academic division.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in data analytics or related field required (10+ years of experience in data analytics may substitute for Bachelor’s degree in unrelated field)
• Significant experience (5+ years) in data leadership, analytics, or business intelligence roles.
• Demonstrated expertise in data governance, data architecture, and analytics platforms.
• Experience managing enterprise data warehouses and reporting ecosystems.
• Strong communication and data storytelling skills with the ability to make complex data concepts understandable to colleagues and leadership.
• Experience working with sensitive and regulated data.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in relevant field.
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex organizations.
• Familiarity with ERP-integrated analytics environments (e.g., Workday, Banner).
• Experience leading cross-functional data governance councils.
• Knowledge of modern analytics, visualization, and data engineering practices.
• Stated commitment to Drake University mission and core values.
• Experience leading and working on teams.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong written communication skills.

Job Duties:

• Oversee the Office of Institutional Research and Analytics
  • Provide strategic leadership for the University’s Institutional Research and Analytics functions, ensuring the availability of timely, accurate, and actionable data to support institutional decision-making.
  • Serve as the University’s authoritative source for official institutional data, metrics, definitions, and reporting.
  • Lead the development, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data related to enrollment, retention, student success, graduation outcomes, academic performance, faculty activity, and institutional effectiveness.
  • Supervise and develop Institutional Research and Analytics staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, innovation, and service excellence.
  • Oversee institutional reporting required by federal, state, accrediting, and external agencies, including IPEDS, NC-SARA, state reporting requirements, rankings submissions, surveys, and other mandatory disclosures.
  • Ensure accuracy, integrity, consistency, and appropriate use of institutional data across internal and external reporting.
  • Support accreditation, program review, strategic planning, assessment, and institutional effectiveness initiatives through data analysis, reporting, and consultation.
  • Partner with University leadership to identify key performance indicators and monitor progress toward strategic priorities.
  • Develop predictive and prescriptive analytics capabilities to support institutional planning and student success initiatives.
  • Present findings and recommendations to executive leadership, Board committees, and campus governance groups.
  • Represent the University in external data, research, and analytics organizations.
  • Serves on the University Information Security Steering Committee to advise on data governance and policy alignment, ensuring information security controls support the appropriate use, protection, and compliance of university data and systems.
  • Evaluate and implement emerging artificial intelligence and advanced analytics capabilities that improve institutional effectiveness while ensuring ethical and responsible use of institutional data.
  • Lead institutional benchmarking efforts using national and peer institution data to inform strategic planning and continuous improvement. - (Essential)
• Lead Institutional Data Governance, Strategy, and Culture
  • Define and lead the University’s enterprise data and analytics strategy in alignment with institutional priorities and strategic objectives.
  • Establish and oversee institutional data governance structures, policies, stewardship responsibilities, and data quality standards.
  • Chair and provide leadership to the University’s Data Governance Council.
  • Guide analytics and reporting strategies and practices across academic, administrative, and financial domains.
  • Partner with functional leaders to align data initiatives, reporting needs, and analytics capabilities with institutional priorities.
  • Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, regulatory, and records-management requirements related to use of institutional data.
  • Lead initiatives that improve institutional data literacy and a culture of institutionally- oriented, evidence-based decision-making.
  • Foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making by integrating institutional data and analytics into planning, policy development, resource allocation, and operational processes. - (Essential)
• Coordinate Institutional Data Sources, Systems, and Analytics Infrastructure
  • Establish, maintain, and communicate official institutional data sources and systems.
  • Develop and maintain the University’s institutional data dictionary.
  • Provide shared executive oversight, in partnership with Information Technology Services, for the University’s data warehouse and other official data sources.
  • Oversee institutional analytics tools, reporting infrastructure, and emerging data capabilities.
  • Collaborate with the Chief Information Technology Officer to modernize and improve the University’s data sources, systems, and processes on an ongoing basis.
  • Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies, tools, and practices that improve institutional report, analytics, and decision support.
  • Support the development of self-service reporting and analytics capabilities that provide campus stakeholders with timely access to trusted institutional data.
  • Promote the effective integration of data across systems and functional areas to improve reporting efficiency, operational effectiveness, and institutional insight. - (Essential)
• Support Academic Strategy, Innovation, and Institutional Planning
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to the provost on matters related to academic planning, program development, enrollment trends, and institutional innovation.
  • Develop and implement tools and systems to assess the financial, operational, and academic impacts of potential/proposed academic innovations.
  • Provide data and analytical support to senior leaders in assessing and analyzing potential opportunities for institutional innovation.
  • Serve as a member of the provost’s leadership team, providing strategic counsel on institutional performance, resource allocation, student success, academic planning, and university priorities. - (Essential)
• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed - (Essential)

Salary and Benefits:

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2026. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits