Director of Strategy and Data Analysis

Hybrid Eligible: To be reviewed after first 90 days of employment

SUMMARY

The Director of Strategy and Data Analysis provides leadership in institutional data management and reporting, analysis, and decision support. The Director ensures the integrity, accuracy, and timely dissemination of institutional data required for federal, state, and system-level reporting, accreditation, and strategic planning. This role serves as a key partner in advancing KCKCC's student-centered and data-informed culture, supporting enrollment management operations, student success outcomes, and institutional effectiveness initiatives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting in the governance, collection, analysis, and reporting of institutional data
• Assisting in the support of accreditation, program review, grant reporting, and college-wide surveys
• Working with the Executive Director to foster a culture of data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This role advances data-informed decision-making fosters collaboration across the college, fosters collaboration across the college, and drives continuous improvement to support student success and institutional goals.

Reporting, Compliance, and Accreditation Support

• Lead the preparation, validation, and submission of federal, state, and local reporting requirements, including IPEDS, Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) reports, federal compliance submissions, state funding metrics, and institutional accountability measures.
• Maintain strong documentation practices, audit trails, and standardized definitions to ensure transparency, accuracy, and repeatability of reporting processes.
• Provide accurate data and analyses to support Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation, academic program review, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness initiatives.

Data Governance, Data Quality, and Institutional Integrity

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to advance KCKCC's data governance framework, including policies, standards, and procedures promoting accuracy, consistency, and security.
• Work closely with Information Technology, Enrollment Management, Student Services, and Academic Affairs to strengthen data definitions, improve data quality, and support reliable reporting across systems.
• Lead data validation processes and ensure adherence to FERPA, data security guidelines, and institutional data governance protocols.

Data Visualization and Accessible Reporting

• Design and maintain dashboards and visual tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar) that present institutional data in clear, intuitive, and user-friendly formats.
• Promote transparency and accessibility of institutional data by creating visualizations that support understanding among faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners.
• Assist units in developing and using data visualizations to support operational needs, program effectiveness, and grant compliance.

Collaboration, Communication, and Data Literacy

• Build strong partnerships with departments across the college to understand data needs and provide high-quality analytical support.
• Offer training and consultation to improve data literacy, helping stakeholders interpret metrics, understand definitions, and utilize dashboards in their daily work.
• Communicate complex information clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical audiences, including cabinet members, faculty councils, and college committees.

Leadership and Team Management

• Supervise Institutional Effectiveness (IE) analysts and reporting staff, establishing clear expectations, priorities, and project timelines to ensure excellence in data reporting and analysis.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team environment aligned with KCKCC's values of integrity, equity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to IE strategic initiatives and participate in college-wide committees supporting data-informed practice.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical and technological skills with the ability to communicate findings effectively, and support equity and student success.

Key areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

Higher Education Knowledge

• Understand higher education structures, functions, and current trends
• Apply local, state, and federal education policies and regulations
• Navigate regional, national, and program accreditation processes

Data Governance and Analysis

• Ensure data quality, security, and FERPA compliance
• Collect, analyze, and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data
• Build and maintain accurate and reliable data systems
• Translate findings into clear dashboards, visuals, and reports
• Deliver precise, detail-oriented data management and reporting

Technology and Tools

• Use educational technology platforms for data management and reporting
• Proficiency with SQL, data visualization platforms such as Power BI or Tableau, and student information systems (e.g., Ellucian Colleague or similar)

Communication and Collaboration

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and stakeholders, building strong partnerships with faculty, staff, administrators, and external agencies
• Utilize strong analytical, communication, and data storytelling skills to engage stakeholders and write concise, professional reports that inform strategic decision-making

Leadership and Change Management

• Lead institutional effectiveness projects and change initiatives
• Motivate and guide staff while fostering continuous improvement
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards

Strategic and External Support

• Provide data expertise for grants, compliance, and funding reports
• Conduct benchmarking and collaborating with external partners
• Adapt strategies to meet evolving institutional priorities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in educational administration, institutional research, statistics, data analytics, public administration, business administration, information systems, or related fields.
• Three - Five (3-5) years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, data analysis, or related functions, preferably within a community college or open-access institution.
• Experience with federal and state reporting requirements, including IPEDS and KBOR reports.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience within the Kansas higher education system or familiarity with Kansas Board of Regents reporting structures.
• Knowledge of Guided Pathways, HLC accreditation standards, and community-college student success initiatives.
• Experience leading data governance or data quality projects.
• Supervisory experience or leadership of cross-functional project teams.
• Familiarity with predictive analytics, forecasting, and advanced statistical modeling.

WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, and sit. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift items and may be expected to drive to alternate campus sites.

WORK SCHEDULE

Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Must be able to work variable schedule/hours to meet operational needs. May require evening and weekend hours, frequent travel and must be able to work evening and weekend hours when required.