Director of Institutional Research

Description

At Westminster College, we believe in immersive and enriching experiences that inspire creative thinking and problem solving. We believe in creating opportunities for several different paths to success over a lifetime and the potential to make an impact from wherever you are. For our students, we do this by providing real-world, hands-on learning opportunities, small class sizes, and talented professors dedicated to the individual. Our employees often remark that our tight-knit community creates an atmosphere fostering campus involvement that adapts to all interests. As a result, Westminster continues to be recognized for its excellence in higher education as one of the best small liberal arts colleges in the Midwest.

Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, the Director of Institutional Research provides strategic leadership and coordination of the College’s institutional research function. This is a full-time remote position with limited campus requirements. The Director of Institutional Research plays a critical role in helping the College understand itself, tell its story, and make informed decisions that drive its future. This role works collaboratively across all functional areas to promote a culture of continuous improvement, data-informed decision-making, and assessment-driven planning in support of the College’s mission and vision. This is primarily remote; must reside within reasonable commuting distance for periodic on-campus responsibilities

The Director applies advanced qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to support institutional assessment, planning, and effectiveness. This position requires strong analytical skills, exceptional attention to detail, and a commitment to data accuracy, integrity, and ethical stewardship. The Director is responsible for managing sensitive and FERPA-protected information with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.

Requirements

Essential Functions:

The statements below are intended to describe the principal duties of the person or persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties and responsibilities.

• Serve as the College’s Accreditation Liasion Officer (ALO) for institutional data, partnering with key offices including the Registrar, Financial Aid, Admissions, Academic Affairs, Student Services, and the Business Office to ensure data accuracy, accessibility, consistency, and integrity.
• Lead the collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data to support strategic planning, policy and program development, and operational decision-making.
• Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for a variety of audiences, supporting a culture of evidence-informed decision-making across the institution.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of all required external reports, including IPEDS, the Common Data Set, student achievement reporting, guidebook surveys, and accreditation-related documentation.
• Monitor and interpret changes in federal, state, and accreditation requirements, including Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE), ensuring institutional compliance and readiness.
• Design, administer, and manage a comprehensive cycle of institutional surveys to assess effectiveness and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as a strategic partner in advancing student success by analyzing, integrating, and translating data related to retention, persistence, academic performance, student engagement, satisfaction, and belonging.
• Collaborate closely with Student Services, Academic Affairs, and enrollment leadership to identify patterns and trends across student experiences, examine outcomes among different student groups, and highlight areas of opportunity—informing the design, targeting, and continuous improvement of interventions that enhance student success and sense of belonging.
• Assist faculty and staff in identifying and applying for grants to support academic programs, student-support initiatives, and scholarly research by faculty and students.
• Perform other duties as assigned related to maintaining the overall effectiveness of the college.

Job Requirements:

Education: Master’s degree in educational research, higher education, behavioral or social sciences, or a closely related field required. 

Experience:  Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, effectiveness, assessment, or related functions within higher education. Equivalent combinations of education and significant, relevant professional experience may be considered. 

Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis, statistical methods, and the use of data to inform planning and decision-making.
• Experience with accreditation processes, particularly Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) along with familiarity with IPEDS and National Student Clearinghouse reporting required; experience with specialized accreditors (e.g., CCNE, NASM) is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required; experience with enterprise systems (e.g., Jenzabar) and data tools such as SQL or similar query languages preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex data clearly to diverse audiences.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Health Savings Account and/or Flex Spending Account
• Supplemental options: Short-term disability, Hospitalization, Accident, and Critical Illness
• Stand-alone EAP program
• Life, AD&D, and long-term disability
• Retirement 403(b) plan
• Tuition remission or exchange programs
• Sick and Vacation time
• Paid Holidays (15 each year)

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.