Director of Institutional Research Jobs
Director of Institutional Research jobs are open across higher education, community colleges, and research universities, from analyst-level to senior director, with specializations in data governance, accreditation reporting, and predictive analytics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Department:
Institutional Research, Assessment, Accreditation and Planning (IRAAP)Salary/Hourly
$80,000.00 AnnualUnion/Position Status:
SESPosting Closing Date:
December 10, 2026Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM the evening before the posting closing date.
Please note that the posting will close at midnight (12:00 AM) on the posting closing date.
JOB DESCRIPTION
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
The work involves providing executive leadership, administration, and oversight of the College's Institutional Research, Assessment, Accreditation, and Planning (IRAAP) functions. The incumbent, under the direct supervision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, is responsible for integrating institutional research, data management and analysis, institutional assessment, accreditation, program review, and strategic planning to support institutional effectiveness, informed decision-making, and continuous improvement.
The incumbent provides direct supervision to the Director of Research and the Director of Assessment and Accreditation, establishing institutional priorities and ensuring coordination between the College's research and analytical functions and its assessment, accreditation, and planning activities. The position plays a principal leadership role in coordinating institutional and specialized program accreditation efforts, including the College's responsibilities to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and other external accrediting agencies, working in collaboration with the College's designated Accreditation Liaison Officer.
The incumbent works collaboratively with senior executive leadership, academic and administrative departments, faculty, staff, and College governance bodies to promote a coordinated, evidence-based approach to institutional planning, accountability, resource allocation, and improvement. General supervision is exercised over professional and support staff within IRAAP. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
- Provides executive leadership and administrative oversight for the College's Institutional Research, Assessment, Accreditation, and Planning (IRAAP) functions, ensuring coordination and integration across these areas;
- Directly supervises the Director of Research and the Director of Assessment and Accreditation, establishing priorities, coordinating work plans, monitoring progress, and supporting staff development;
- Provides strategic direction for the integration of institutional data collection, management, reporting, and analysis with assessment, accreditation, program review, and institutional planning activities;
- Plays a principal leadership role in coordinating the College's regional accreditation activities with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), including self-study preparation, institutional reporting, evidence collection, site visits, and ongoing compliance with accreditation standards, in collaboration with the College's designated Accreditation Liaison Officer;
- Provides institutional leadership and oversight for specialized program accreditation, working with academic leadership, department chairs, program directors, and accreditation coordinators to ensure appropriate preparation for self-studies, reports, and site visits;
- Oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the College's institutional assessment framework, including assessment of student learning outcomes, academic and administrative effectiveness, and institutional effectiveness;
- Provides leadership and oversight for the College's periodic academic and non-academic program review processes, ensuring that findings are used to inform program improvement, institutional priorities, and resource allocation;
- Coordinates the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the College's strategic and long-range planning processes in collaboration with senior executive leadership and College governance bodies;
- Oversees institutional research and reporting functions, including the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data related to enrollment, student success, academic programs, institutional performance, and other areas necessary to support institutional decision-making;
- Provides administrative oversight of institutional reporting to federal, state, and external agencies, including SUNY, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and other required reporting systems, to promote accuracy, consistency, and timeliness;
- Collaborates with Information Technology, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Finance, and other administrative units to improve institutional data systems, reporting processes, and the effective use of information;
- Oversees the development and use of institutional performance indicators, dashboards, benchmarking, and analytical reports to monitor progress toward institutional goals and support evidence-based decision-making;
- Assists the President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and other senior executive leaders in identifying institutional priorities and evaluating resource allocation decisions based on strategic planning, institutional research, assessment findings, and program review results;
- Monitors trends and developments in higher education and the external environment to inform institutional planning, program development, and strategic decision-making;
- Promotes the systematic use of institutional research, assessment findings, and program review results to evaluate effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and support institutional accountability;
- Works collaboratively with faculty, department chairs, deans, administrators, and College governance committees to strengthen institutional capacity for assessment, accreditation, research, and planning;
- Coordinates professional development and institutional communication efforts designed to strengthen understanding of accreditation requirements, assessment practices, data interpretation, and continuous improvement;
- Represents IRAAP on appropriate institutional committees, provides reports and recommendations to senior executive leadership and College governance bodies, and serves as a liaison with external agencies;
- Performs other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the mission, purpose, and programs of a comprehensive community college and to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment. Broad knowledge of institutional research, assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness; ability to provide executive leadership and oversight across these functions and coordinate their integration to support institutional decision-making and continuous improvement; understanding of the use of institutional data and assessment findings to inform planning and resource allocation; familiarity with regional and specialized accreditation requirements, including those of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; demonstrated ability to supervise professional staff, manage complex institutional initiatives, and establish organizational priorities; strong organizational, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively with senior executive leadership, faculty, administrators, staff, and governance bodies; sound professional judgment, initiative, tact, and discretion; physically capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with a Master's degree in higher education administration, educational leadership, institutional research, public administration, or a related field, and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education administration, institutional research, assessment, accreditation, institutional effectiveness, or strategic planning, including experience supervising professional staff or coordinating institutional initiatives.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience providing administrative leadership or oversight for institutional research, assessment, accreditation, or strategic planning functions;
- Demonstrated experience with regional or specialized program accreditation processes, including preparation of self-study reports, institutional documentation, or accreditation site visits;
- Experience coordinating institutional assessment, academic or non-academic program review, or strategic planning activities;
- Familiarity with institutional data management, analytical reporting, and the use of data to support institutional decision-making and continuous improvement;
- Experience working collaboratively with faculty, academic leadership, administrative staff, and institutional governance bodies in a community college setting.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Official transcripts will be required for successful candidates within 30 days of hire.
Contact Human Resources at (716) 851-1840 with any questions.
Our mission to offer quality education includes exposing our students to a diverse range of cultures, experiences and expertise. At SUNY Erie Community College, we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
SUNY Erie Community College does not discriminate in admission, employment, or in the administration of any of its policies and programs on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, familial status, military status, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics, veteran status, criminal conviction, or any other characteristics protected by law. This applies to all students, applicants or other members of the College community (including, but not limited to, vendors and visitors). Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting the office listed below. Retaliation against a person who files a complaint, serves as a witness, or assists or participates in the investigation of a complaint in any manner is strictly prohibited.
The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s non-discrimination policies:
Civil Rights Compliance Officer
Legal Affairs Office
North Campus
6205 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
legalaffairs@ecc.edu
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, please contact:
New York Office
United States Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor,
New York, N.Y., 10005-25010;
Tel (646) 428-3800; Email: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov.
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Find JobsDirector of Institutional Research Job Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of institutional research jobs.
- Master's or doctoral degree in higher education, statistics, social science, or a related field
- Proficiency with IPEDS data collection and federal higher education reporting requirements
- Experience with institutional data systems such as Banner, PeopleSoft, or Colleague
- Advanced skills in SQL, SAS, R, Python, or similar data analysis tools
- Demonstrated experience leading institutional effectiveness, accreditation, or strategic planning initiatives
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings to executive leadership and governing boards
Tips for Your Director of Institutional Research Job Search
Tailor your resume for IR leadership
Highlight your experience translating raw institutional data into actionable recommendations for provosts and boards. Quantify the scope of databases you've managed and the audiences you've reported to, so hiring committees can gauge your fit quickly.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of institutional research openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Signal your accreditation reporting expertise
Many institutions prioritize candidates who have led IPEDS submissions or supported regional accreditation reviews. Name the specific bodies you've reported to and the data systems you used, since generic 'reporting experience' won't stand out to search committees.
Target postings by Carnegie classification
R1 doctoral universities, regional comprehensives, and two-year colleges need very different IR skill sets. Filter your search by institution type so your application speaks directly to the complexity and priorities of that specific campus context.
Prepare for a data-presentation interview round
Many IR director searches include a live presentation where you analyze a dataset and brief a mock cabinet. Practice narrating your analytical decisions out loud, not just the conclusions, because committees evaluate how you communicate uncertainty and methodology.
Negotiate start date around reporting cycles
IPEDS submission windows and accreditation self-study calendars are fixed. Identifying those deadlines before your offer conversation lets you propose a start date that gives you enough lead time, which signals institutional awareness and strengthens your negotiating position.
Director of Institutional Research Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of institutional researchs?
City University of New York, Hatalom, and El Paso Community College are hiring the most director of institutional researchs right now, with openings concentrated in New York, Texas, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Openings at larger systems often reflect multiple campus searches running simultaneously.
How many director of institutional research jobs are remote?
About 64% of director of institutional research openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the data-intensive nature of the role. Fully remote arrangements are most common at institutions with distributed campuses or at organizations that contract IR services, while on-campus presence is still expected at many residential colleges.
How do you become a director of institutional research?
Most directors begin as IR analysts or associate directors, building hands-on experience with IPEDS reporting, enrollment modeling, and institutional data warehouses. Moving into a director role typically requires leading at least one major accreditation cycle or strategic planning process, earning a graduate degree in a quantitative or education field, and demonstrating the ability to present complex findings to senior leadership.
Can you get hired as a director of institutional research with limited experience?
Candidates with limited IR-specific experience can compete for director roles at smaller institutions or community colleges by demonstrating transferable skills in institutional data analysis, accreditation support, or academic program assessment. Stepping into an associate director or interim director role first is a proven path, as is leading a high-visibility project like a self-study or enrollment forecast that gives you documented leadership experience.
What does the director of institutional research interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a phone screen conducted by HR or a search committee chair, followed by a panel interview with academic affairs, finance, and IT stakeholders. Finalists are usually asked to deliver a data presentation to a broader campus audience and may meet separately with the provost or president. Reference checks and background verification occur after the final-round visit.
Where can I find and apply to director of institutional research jobs?
You can find and apply to director of institutional research jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from institutions across the United States. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing without being redirected through additional sign-up steps.
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