Director of Institutional Research

The Director of Institutional Research provides leadership, expertise, and operational oversight for the College’s institutional research function, ensuring the accurate collection, validation, analysis, interpretation, and communication of institutional data to support informed decision-making. This role leads the planning, coordination, and execution of institutional research activities; oversees state and federal reporting, accreditation support, institutional effectiveness reporting, and research requests; and ensures the consistent application of data definitions, methodologies, and reporting standards across the institution.

The Director supervises the Institutional Research team and is responsible for producing timely, accurate, and actionable information that supports planning, compliance, continuous improvement, and student success. This role oversees research projects, cohort tracking, KPI reporting, dashboards, surveys, and emerging analytical initiatives while translating complex data into meaningful insights for campus stakeholders.

Working collaboratively with the Vice President of Strategy & Analytics, the Director ensures institutional leaders have reliable, understandable, and actionable information to support planning, operational decision-making, and continuous institutional improvement.

Midland College Core ValuesAt Midland College, our work is guided by the core values of YES!, STUDENTS., and ACT. The Director of Institutional Research is expected to demonstrate these values by approaching challenges with curiosity and solutions-oriented thinking, centering work on student success, and delivering high-quality results that support the College’s mission.

• Lead and supervise the Institutional Research team, establishing priorities, managing workflow, supporting professional development, and ensuring the timely completion of research, reporting, and compliance activities
• Direct the design and execution of institutional research, including cohort tracking, KPI reporting, surveys, longitudinal analyses, and ad hoc research that informs planning and decision-making
• Oversee the development and maintenance of reports, dashboards, and data visualizations that communicate actionable insights and meet stakeholder needs
• Provide leadership for state and federal reporting processes (e.g., IPEDS, THECB), ensuring compliance, data integrity, documentation, and continuous improvement of reporting practices
• Lead institutional research efforts supporting accreditation, program review, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness initiatives
• Establish and maintain research methodologies, data definitions, reporting standards, and validation processes to promote consistency and confidence in institutional data
• Translate complex institutional data into clear, meaningful, and actionable insights through reports, presentations, consultations, and executive briefings
• Oversee the management and effective use of institutional research systems (e.g., ZogoTech), ensuring appropriate documentation of methodologies, cohort logic, and reporting standards
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Strategy & Analytics and campus leadership to identify emerging research, reporting, and analytical needs that support institutional priorities and student success
• Stay current on public information, privacy, and data governance requirements (e.g., FOIA/TPIA) and monitor emerging best practices, technologies, and regulations related to institutional research, analytics, and reporting
• Represent Institutional Research on institutional committees and cross-functional initiatives focused on student success, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement

Required Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree
• Two years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, data analysis, institutional effectiveness, or a related field
• Knowledge of higher education data sources and reporting requirements (e.g., IPEDS, THECB, state and federal reporting)
• Experience working with institutional data systems or data warehouses
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, analyze, and communicate data to support institutional planning and operational decision-making
• Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience, including the ability to coordinate priorities, manage projects, and support staff development
• Strong organizational, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• Valid Texas Driver's License and insurability under Midland College's insurance policy

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, analytics, institutional effectiveness, or a related field
• Experience leading institutional research, reporting, or assessment functions in higher education
• Experience applying research and analytics to support strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, or executive decision-making
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience collaborating with accreditation, compliance, or assessment teams in a higher education environment
• Experience with survey design and administration
• Knowledge of statistical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R) and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI)

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time
• The person in this position needs to move to other locations on campus occasionally
• This position may require occasional travel for training, meetings, and events both in and out of town
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• The person in this position frequently communicates with others; must be able to exchange accurate information
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus
• Frequently moves boxes or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds
• Duties indoors and some outdoors
• Ability to work extended hours and attend Midland College or community events
• Perform other duties as needed to support departmental and institutional priorities