Wesleyan University is hiring a Senior Institutional Research Analyst

Wesleyan University is hiring a Senior Institutional Research Analyst to serve as a strategic analyst and hands-on researcher. The role is central to developing a modern analytics and reporting infrastructure during the university’s transition from PeopleSoft to Workday Student.

What You'll Do

• Collect, query, clean, transform, and analyze complex data from student, admissions, HR, and financial aid databases.
• Prepare and disseminate accurate reports for internal and external audiences, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and accreditor requirements.
• Oversee recurring external reporting such as IPEDS and Common Data Sets.
• Respond to ad-hoc data requests and recurring information needs from campus stakeholders.
• Maintain institutional data definitions and documentation to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Design, administer, and analyze institutional surveys.
• 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.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret institutional data to inform university policies, planning, and strategic decision making.
• Provide support for grants, teaching evaluations, program reviews, tenure reviews, and other assessment initiatives.
• Lead the design and delivery of advanced analytical initiatives, including predictive modeling and trend forecasting.
• Develop and maintain dynamic dashboards, data visualizations, and presentations that communicate institutional trends to leadership.
• Translate complex analytical findings into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Manage complex, institution-wide research and analytics projects from design through delivery.
• Collaborate with other departments on initiatives including enrollment, student success, and resource planning.
• Partner with administrative and academic departments to understand data needs and define metrics.
• Represent the Office of Institutional Research on institutional committees and external groups.
• Lead and support Wesleyan’s post-Workday Student data ecosystem, ensuring integration and reliability.
• Proactively identify opportunities to optimize workflows and improve data accessibility.
• Establish documented, repeatable analytic and reporting processes.
• Champion responsible and ethical use of data, ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal standards.
• Provide methodological guidance to data collaborators throughout campus.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative, social science, business, data science, or related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, analytics, data science, or a related field.
• Proven attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in 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.

Nice to Have

• Master’s degree in a quantitative, business, policy, or social science field.
• Advanced coding experience in R.
• 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 actionable insights and data-informed recommendations.
• Proven ability to align institutional research and analytics with university priorities.

Technical Stack

• R, Python, SAS
• SQL
• Power BI, Tableau
• Workday Student, Slate

Team & Environment

You will be a member of the Office of Institutional Research and Data Analytics, reporting to the Director of Institutional Research and Data Analytics. The university values the use of institutional data to guide strategic planning, policy, and decision-making.

Benefits & Compensation

• Salary: $76,300-$100,000
• Comprehensive group insurance plans
• Wellness programs and incentives
• Generous paid time off
• Retirement plans
• Flexible work schedules
• Employee and dependent tuition programs

Work Mode

This is a hybrid position based in Middletown, Connecticut.

Wesleyan University 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.