Widener University - Chester, PA
posted 2 months ago
Widener University is seeking a Director of Institutional Research and Analytics to join the Library and Information Services unit. This full-time position reports to the Associate Vice President for Digital Transformation and is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive program of institutional research activities that support university-wide decision-making, compliance, accreditation, data governance, and research initiatives. The Director will play a crucial role in ensuring that the university's internal constituencies receive the necessary decision support and that accurate reporting of institutional data is provided to external stakeholders across all three campuses of the university. The successful candidate will be a data-savvy and collaborative leader with extensive experience in data management and reporting within higher education. They will be familiar with various data platforms and statistical tools, and possess a proven track record of effective communication and teamwork across complex organizational structures. The Director will collaborate with university leadership and key stakeholders to design, plan, and conduct research activities that inform strategic planning for student success and institutional decision-making. They will also share data-informed analyses and insights with university constituencies to support continuous improvement efforts. In addition to managing compliance reporting with state, federal, and external entities, the Director will design, implement, and lead a comprehensive data governance program. They will foster an analytics community of practice to promote self-sufficiency in data-driven decision-making and provide leadership for the office's work in alignment with institutional goals. The role includes managing one staff position and overseeing the office's operating budget. Secondary responsibilities involve engaging in relevant professional organizations, maintaining vendor relationships, and serving on governance or ad-hoc committees as needed.