"Lead Institutional Research Analyst"

Job Description

Lead Institutional Research Analyst
University of Puget Sound
Job ID: 8317
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Staff Posting Details

Appointment: Regular, full-time (1.0 FTE) position. This position is on-site.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Institutional Research, the Lead Institutional Research Analyst and Developer supports the collection and reporting of information about the University, and ensures accurate and timely reporting of data. In addition, they build applications to provide ready access to information about students, faculty and staff.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Audit, clean, and maintain institutional data in PeopleSoft, and its storage in the Snowflake Data Warehouse, including writing query code (SQL), for the extract-load-transform (ETL) processes, testing results and identifying and correcting errors.
• Extract student census data at specific times throughout the year, clean, ensure accuracy of that data, and maintain it in the data warehouse.
• Evaluate utility, availability, accuracy and timelines of scheduled reports.
• Lead the development of institutional analytics tools to meet campus needs, such as R Shiny applications, Tableau dashboards, etc.
• Provide analysis of enrollment trends and forecasting for use in institutional budget development.
• Create and implement testing protocols for critical reports, in systems such as PeopleSoft, to ensure their reliability after software updates.
• Lead the production of Sound Reports, including creation, maintenance and posting.
• Extract, clean, and store data from external organizations such as the IPEDS for institutional reporting.
• Complete and submit external data requests, including IPEDS, as well as other external organizations, such as NCAA, Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW), bond agencies, etc.
• Manage back-end technology for course evaluations.
• Update and maintain recurrent predictive analytics, including enrollment trends using statistics and programming.
• Respond to ad hoc internal and external requests for data and reports.
• Serve on the Data Governance Committee.
• Create graphs and tables to visualize data.
• Collect and maintain data from peer institutions for internal indicators and dashboards.
• Query data from University systems.
• Represent the department within the campus community on committees or workgroups related to the role as a steward for institutional data.
• Represent the University within the Institutional Research professional community and pursue professional development opportunities outside of Puget Sound.
• Participate in the success of the Office of Institutional Research in meeting its goals.
• Represents the Office in the absence of the Director.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Student Staff

Budget Responsibilities: None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to manage external reporting on behalf of the University independently with accuracy and attention to reporting implications.
• Ability to clarify and respond to data requests to meet end users' needs.
• Ability to extract data from national and local sources using PS Query, Excel, Qualtrics, and web functions including: Querying data from the Snowflake data warehouse in SQL, Writing and editing existing queries in PS Query, Importing data from national databases into Excel, Retrieving data from Qualtrics or equivalent survey software.
• Ability to manipulate, analyze, summarize, and present quantitative data in multiple ways for a variety of audiences using: Excel (minimum knowledge includes pivot tables, Vlookup, and macros), RStudio or similar statistical software program (minimum knowledge includes importing datasets, cleaning and labeling data, and descriptive statistics), PowerPoint (importing graphs and tables for effective communication of data as information), Microsoft Word (to write reports, including importing graphs, tables, and images).
• Ability to develop and administer surveys, preferably through the use of Qualtrics survey software, including the ability to import contact lists, employ survey logic, craft survey questions collaboratively, manage survey messaging and the use of an API with our student portal.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues and to work well with faculty, staff, and students across the institution to identify and act on areas for improvement within the purview of Institutional Research.
• Ability to manage projects, both new and recurring, with clear planning, documentation, attention to detail, and accuracy.
• Ability to efficiently manage the production of multiple, time-critical projects.
• Knowledge of the issues of higher education and university administration is preferred.
• Ability to work, communicate, and provide leadership respectfully within a diverse campus community.

Qualifications:

• Education level: a bachelors degree; advanced degree preferred. Equivalent work experience acceptable.
• Candidates with Masters degree or higher or equivalent experience in higher education are preferred.
• Years of experience: one years' experience in Institutional Research or equivalent data analysis role (student employment acceptable).
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, as evidenced through samples of written reports, and performance on a job task.
• Ability to respectfully work, communicate and provide leadership within a diverse campus community.

Compensation and Benefits: The anticipated range for this position is $28.58 - $33.00 hourly. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.

Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including: Medical, dental, and vision; Life insurance and long-term disability; Employee Assistance Program; Retirement plan options and 403(b) contributions; Paid vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, campus holidays and bonus holidays; Education benefits, such as full tuition for eligible employees and their families; Access to university facilities and entertainment (fitness center, pool, library, concerts, lectures and more!).

Please note: Positions that work less than .75 FTE (1,560 hours per year) do not qualify for long-term disability or education benefits. Positions that work less than .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will accrue paid sick leave but are not eligible for additional benefits. Temporary positions that work at least .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will be eligible for benefits.

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

For more information on Puget Sound's non-exempt staff benefits package, visit: Summary of 2025 Benefits for Staff Members in Non-Exempt Positions.pdf

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified.

Required Documents: Resume, Letter of Interest. Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered. All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks.

University Diversity Statement

We acknowledge the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives. We aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community. We act to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world. Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity. The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.