Director of Institutional Research and Planning

   Director of Institutional Research and Planning

Summary:

The Director of Institutional Research and Planning serves as a key resource responsible for supporting the University’s institutional research, assessment, reporting, and effectiveness efforts through the collection, analysis, interpretation, and communication of institutional data. Reporting to the President, the Director provides accurate and meaningful information to support institutional planning, decision-making, policy development, and continuous improvement.

The Director coordinates institutional research and effectiveness activities, including internal and external reporting, institutional assessment, accreditation and regulatory support, and evaluation of progress toward University priorities. Working collaboratively with academic and administrative departments, the Director supports consistent data practices, helps translate institutional data into useful information, and promotes the accuracy and integrity of University data. The position also provides guidance and support to University leaders and departments in using data to inform decisions and improve institutional effectiveness.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Institutional Reporting & Regulatory Compliance

• Coordinate and oversee required institutional reporting to federal, state, accreditation, and other external agencies and organizations, ensuring information is accurate, complete, and submitted within established deadlines.
• Maintain a comprehensive University accreditation calendar for SACSCOC and specialized accreditors, including review cycles, self-study due dates, annual and interim reports, monitoring reports, substantive change notifications, fee deadlines, and site visits.
• Monitor accreditation timelines and communicate upcoming requirements and deadlines to the Provost, deans, program directors, and other appropriate stakeholders to support timely preparation and compliance.
• Maintain a centralized repository of accreditation submissions, action letters, accreditor correspondence, and related documentation to ensure complete and accessible institutional records.
• Provide regular updates to the President and Cabinet regarding accreditation timelines, status, and identified compliance concerns.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative departments to collect, validate, and prepare institutional information required for external reporting, including IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and other institutional surveys and reports.
• Maintain knowledge of reporting requirements, institutional research practices, accreditation standards, and applicable regulatory changes through professional development and engagement with appropriate professional organizations.

Institutional Research, Data Analysis & Decision Support

• Collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate institutional data to support University planning, policy development, program evaluation, resource allocation, and operational decision-making.
• Provide data, research, reports, and analyses to the President, Provost, University leadership, and other campus stakeholders as requested.
• Analyze enrollment, admissions, financial, academic, student success, and other institutional trends using appropriate research and statistical methods.
• Conduct institutional research studies and respond to recurring and ad hoc data requests, providing guidance on research design, methodology, data collection, analysis, and interpretation as appropriate.

Data Management, Business Intelligence & Process Improvement

• Develop and maintain institutional reports, dashboards, data visualizations, and other business intelligence tools that provide timely and useful information to academic and administrative departments.
• Collaborate with Information Technology, the Registrar, and other departments to improve access to institutional data and support the effective use of the University’s ERP/SIS, reporting platforms, and related systems.
• Monitor institutional data for accuracy, consistency, and integrity; identify systemic data issues and work with appropriate departments to resolve discrepancies and improve data quality.
• Research and recommend improvements to data collection, validation, reporting, security, systems, and processes to enhance the accessibility, accuracy, and usefulness of institutional information.

Institutional Effectiveness, Assessment & Campus Support

• Support the University’s institutional effectiveness activities, including assessment of progress toward the University’s strategic plan and other institutional priorities.
• Coordinate and support institutional and academic assessment activities, including the collection, analysis, and reporting of assessment results.
• Provide guidance, training, and resources to faculty, staff, academic programs, and administrative departments regarding assessment practices, institutional data, reporting tools, and the use of results for continuous improvement.
• Participate in committees, workgroups, and institutional initiatives related to assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate files, documents, and profiles for necessary paper files and in appropriate tracking systems.
• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of and adhere to all Spalding policies and procedures.
• Participate in meetings and provide feedback for improvement for the department.
• Perform other related activities, as required, to ensure departmental and organizational success.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of institutional research, institutional effectiveness, assessment, accreditation, and reporting practices within a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, statistical analysis, assessment practices, and program evaluation.

• Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and present complex institutional data and translate findings into clear, meaningful information for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency with data analysis, reporting, and visualization tools, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access.
• Demonstrated ability to retrieve, integrate, validate, and analyze data from multiple institutional systems and data sources.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet established deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, University leadership, and external constituencies.
• Ability to work collaboratively across academic and administrative areas and provide guidance to stakeholders regarding data, assessment, reporting, and institutional effectiveness.
• Ability to maintain the accuracy, integrity, security, and confidentiality of institutional information and exercise sound judgment when working with sensitive data.

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in higher education, institutional research, research methodology, measurement and statistics, social sciences, data analytics, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in institutional research, institutional effectiveness, assessment, data analysis, accreditation, or a closely related area required.
• Experience using Ellucian Colleague for institutional data retrieval, reporting, and analysis preferred.
• Experience using Microsoft Access to manage, query, analyze, and report data required.
• Experience working with institutional data, statistical analysis, reporting systems, databases, and business intelligence tools required.
• Higher education experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting accreditation, regulatory reporting, or institutional assessment preferred.

Special Requirements

• Occasional travel may be required for accreditation activities, conferences, or professional development.

Other

• Work is typically performed in an office, classroom, or similar professional environment that is adequately lit, heated, and ventilated.
• The position may require prolonged periods of sitting and computer use, as well as occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and other routine physical activities associated with the performance of job duties.
• The employee may occasionally lift, carry, or move light items such as files, books, supplies, or small equipment, generally weighing up to 20 pounds.
• The position may require movement between University buildings or locations and, when applicable, occasional driving or travel to perform University-related responsibilities.
• The work environment generally presents risks typical of a professional or educational setting, including the safe use of office equipment, navigating buildings and campus spaces, and observing applicable safety and emergency procedures.

CONTACT

All applications are made through the Paycom Applicant Tracking System.

ABOUT SPALDING UNIVERSITY:

Spalding University offers a comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, Spalding matching contribution up to 5% to your 403b/Roth retirement plan, generous Paid Time Off program, Parental Leave, paid holidays, paid life insurance and long-term disability, paid time for volunteering, and more.

Situated in the heart of downtown Louisville, Kentucky’s largest city, Spalding University combines a rich social justice history and a commitment to community service as we attract students who desire a high-quality education in a very personalized setting. An engaged faculty serves nearly 2,000 students at the bachelors’, master’s and doctoral levels, providing real-world learning in liberal and professional studies.

Faculty, staff and students are united by the institutional mission: Spalding University is a diverse community of learners dedicated to meeting the needs of the times in the tradition of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth through quality undergraduate and graduate liberal and professional studies, grounded in spiritual values, with an emphasis on service and the promotion of peace and justice.

With a focus on service and leadership, Spalding offers all students a mission-driven connection to community and comprehensive learning resources while striking a distinctive balance serving the educational needs of both the traditional student and the working student. In addition, our unique 8-week class delivery format affords students scheduling flexibility amidst other life responsibilities.

Spalding aspires to become the first choice for students of compassion and service.  Celebrated for a rigorous yet nurturing environment, emulated for interdisciplinary collaborations, and acclaimed for contributions to the community.

Spalding University is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University complies with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws. It is the University’s policy not to discriminate against any individual or group of individuals and to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, veteran status or other protected status. All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.