Compliance Analyst

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Job Description:

Division: Academics

Department: Office of Institutional Research

Primary Work Location: Fairfield University, Bellarmine Hall

Reports to: Amy Boczer, Senior Director of Institutional Research

Basic Function:

The Compliance Analyst plays a key role in the Office of Institutional Research (OIR) in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of institutional data used for federal, state, accreditation, and external reporting exercising judgement in interpreting reporting requirements and resolving data issues. This role is responsible for managing compliance-related reporting processes, maintaining documentation and audit trails, and ensuring the University’s adherence to evolving regulatory requirements, including interpreting regulatory guidance as it applies to institutional data.

Working collaboratively with campus partners, the Compliance Analyst collects, validates, and reports institutional data while promoting consistency and transparency across reporting processes and making determinations regarding data definitions, classifications, and reporting methodologies. The role also contributes to key institutional publications, including external guidebooks and the University Fact Book, and supports broader efforts to strengthen data governance and compliance practices across the institution.

Unusual Work Conditions:

Occasional extended hours may be required to meet external reporting deadlines. This position routinely handles sensitive and confidential data and must adhere to all applicable privacy regulations, including FERPA.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field (e.g., higher education, public policy, information systems, business, data analytics, or related discipline)
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in compliance, institutional research, data reporting, or a related field preferred
• Experience working with data in Excel; familiarity with databases and querying/reporting tools (e.g., SQL)
• Experience with federal or state reporting (e.g., IPEDS) and/or accreditation processes preferred
• Familiarity with higher education administrative systems (e.g., Banner, Workday) preferred
• Understanding of FERPA and data privacy regulations in higher education preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy, including the ability to evaluate ambiguous situations and make sound judgments
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and reporting cycles
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly document processes and communicate data requirements
• Demonstrated ability to produce accurate, consistent, and well-documented reports and materials
• High degree of discretion and professionalism when working with confidential or sensitive data

Essential Functions:

• Prepare, validate, and submit mandated federal and state reports (e.g., IPEDS and other external reporting) by determining appropriate data definitions, methodologies, and interpretations to ensure compliance with established deadlines and regulatory requirements
• Serve as the subject matter expert on institutional reporting requirements and compliance regulations (e.g., IPEDS, state reporting, accreditation, and external guidebooks), interpreting reporting guidance and making determinations for submissions, while providing guidance to campus partners and ensuring consistent application across all reporting
• Oversee data collection, verification, and formatting processes in collaboration with campus partners (e.g., Registrar, Financial Aid, Enrollment, HR, Finance) to support compliance reporting
• Monitor changes in federal, state, and accreditation regulations, analyze implications for the institution, and recommend updates to reporting processes and institutional practices as needed
• Maintain reporting calendars, documentation, and audit trails to ensure consistency, transparency, and repeatability of compliance processes
• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and integrity of institutional data through thorough validation, quality control, and attention to detail
• Review historical and longitudinal data to identify discrepancies, determine appropriate adjustments, and ensure alignment with evolving reporting standards and consistency across submissions
• Compile and submit external college guidebook and ranking profiles in accordance with externally imposed deadlines
• Support the development, production, and publication of the annual University Fact Book, including validating data and determining appropriate presentation and interpretation of institutional metrics
• Contribute to building data literacy across the institution by supporting the creation of guidance materials, documentation, and training resources
• Respond to ad hoc data requests and support additional reporting or compliance-related initiatives as needed
• This role operates with a high degree of autonomy in managing assigned reporting responsibilities and deadlines

Work Schedule:

12-month position

Employee Type:

Exempt (salaried)

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

Category:

Academic - Admin