Senior Institutional Research Analyst

Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts institution that values the use of institutional data to guide strategic planning policy and decision-making. As the University transitions from its legacy PeopleSoft system to Workday Student the Office of Institutional Research and Data Analytics is at the forefront of this transformation developing a modern analytics and reporting infrastructure to enhance institutional effectiveness and data-informed decision-making.

Reporting to the Director of Institutional Research and Data Analytics the Senior Institutional Research Analyst serves as both a strategic analyst and a hands on researcher.

This position is responsible for collecting analyzing and reporting institutional data while also working on analytical initiatives that inform university planning assessment and policy development.

The Office of Institutional Research and Data Analytics leads Wesleyan Universitys efforts in institutional effectiveness strategic data use and decision support especially as the university transitions to modern systems and analytics.

This role performs the full range of research functions from managing compliance reporting (IPEDS NECHE guidebooks) and conducting institutional surveys to developing predictive models dashboards and reports that support decision making across the University.

Responsibilities include:

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Collect query clean transform and analyze complex data from multiple systems including student admissions HR and financial aid databases.

• Prepare and disseminate accurate high quality reports for internal and external audiences ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal state and accreditor requirements.

• Oversee recurring external reporting such as IPEDS Common Data Sets and guidebook submissions.

• Respond to ad-hoc data requests and recurring information needs from campus stakeholders.

• Maintain institutional data definitions and documentation to ensure consistency and accuracy of reporting standards across systems.

Survey Research and Institutional Effectiveness

• Design administer and analyze institutional surveys ensuring high quality and accurate data collection and clear actionable reporting.

• Conduct studies related to academic outcomes student success faculty trends and operational effectiveness.

• Support accreditation and program review processes by providing data analysis summaries and visualizations.

• Compile and maintain benchmarking information on peer institutions and remain informed on current trends and issues in higher education.

Decision Support

• Collect analyze and interpret institutional data to inform university policies planning and support strategic decision making.

• Provide support for grants teaching evaluations program reviews tenure and accreditation reviews and other institutional assessment initiatives.

• Provide relevant data and insights to support strategic planning and decision making.

Strategic Analytics and Insight

• Lead the design and delivery of advanced analytical initiatives including predictive modeling trend forecasting and longitudinal analysis to inform institutional direction and planning.

• Develop and maintain dynamic dashboards data visualizations and presentations that communicate institutional trends to leadership or other non technical audiences.

• Translate complex analytical findings into actionable insights and recommendations that guide university strategy policy and resource allocation.

• Manage complex institution wide research and analytics projects from design through delivery ensuring timelines deliverables and outcomes align with institutional priorities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with other departments on initiatives including enrollment student success academic programs and resource planning.

• Partner with administrative and academic departments to understand data needs define metrics standardize data definitions and enhance reporting through targeted analytical support.

• Represent the Office of Institutional Research on institutional committees and external groups.

Data Governance and Infrastructure

• Lead and support Wesleyans post Workday Student data ecosystem by ensuring integration reliability and scalability and by partnering with campus stakeholders on data definitions reporting standards and governance practices during and after the transition from PeopleSoft to Workday.

• Proactively identify opportunities to optimize workflows improve efficiency and enhance data accessibility across the university.

• Establish documented repeatable analytic and reporting processes that ensure consistency transparency accuracy and long term usability of institutional data.

• Champion responsible and ethical use of data ensuring compliance with institutional state and federal standards.

Leadership

• Provide methodological guidance to data collaborators throughout campus fostering data literacy and evidence-based decision-making within administrative and academic units.

Other additional duties as assigned.

This position is a hybrid position with on-campus and remote work schedule options.

Remote work is only considered for residents of MA VT NH ME CT RI or NY. (Relocation assistance to CT is available for those who qualify).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a quantitative social science business data science or related field and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research analytics data science research applied research or a related field or an equivalent combination of education training and relevant experience.

• Proven attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in all aspects of data management analysis and reporting.

• Advanced proficiency in statistical programming (R Python or SAS) SQL and business-intelligence tools (Power BI or Tableau).

• Foundational understanding of statistics and research methodology.

• Knowledge of survey design principles and qualitative research.

• Ability to translate analytical findings into actionable strategies and communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.

• Demonstrated success contributing to complex analytical projects.

• Demonstrated strategic and analytical thinking skills.

• Experience with data visualization and storytelling through analytics.

• Ability to work independently demonstrate initiative and sound professional judgement.

• Commitment to data integrity transparency and ethical research practice.

• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate across academic and administrative teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in a quantitative business policy or social science business public policy statistics or related field.

• Advanced coding experience in R preferred.

• Experience leading strategic analytics or institutional research initiatives in higher education.

• Familiarity with Workday Student and Slate.

• Experience with IPEDS Common Data Set AAUP and other higher education reporting.

• Active participation in professional organizations such as AIR NEAIR or EDUCAUSE.

• Strong understanding of institutional assessment data governance and higher education policy frameworks.

• Experience developing and applying predictive and statistical modeling to inform decision making.

• Demonstrated ability to translate technical analysis into actionalble insights and data informed recommendations.

• Proven ability to align institutional research and analytics with university priorities using data to strengthen planning resource allocation and student success outcomes .

Position is open until filled. For full consideration please apply by January 4 2026 when first review of applications will begin.

As part of your application please upload a cover letter and resume.

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidates completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University located in Middletown Connecticut does not discriminate on the basis of race color religious creed age gender gender identity or expression national origin marital status ancestry present or past history of mental disorder learning disability or physical disability political belief veteran status sexual orientation genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed toVice President for Equity and Inclusion Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.

Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan Universitys Clery Act Report are available on request and online at is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities including comprehensive group insurance plans wellness programs and incentives generous paid time off and retirement plans flexible work schedules employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: Experience:

Senior IC