Executive Director of Institutional Research

Executive Director Of Institutional Research

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Executive Director of Institutional Research. This is a renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs. The position may be physically located in either Las Vegas or Reno, Nevada.

The NSHE is comprised of eight institutions: three universities, four community colleges and a research institute. The public system of higher education in Nevada continues to experience growth with significant opportunities in serving over 105,000 students and 15,000 employees.

The position provides strategic direction for the Institutional Research department and serves as the bridge between NSHE's data capacity and the leaders who depend on it. The position exists to ensure that NSHE leadership, the Board of Regents, and state policymakers have accurate, timely, and well-interpreted data to inform policy and decision-making.

Within NSHE, the position leads implementation of data initiatives tied to the Success by Design strategic plan and represents the system in cross-agency and national data initiatives.

SALARY/GRADE: This position offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with the candidate's education, experience, and certification/training. In addition to base salary, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Additionally, an employer paid long term disability plan is included.
• Outstanding Retirement Plan: professional employees are required to participate in the 401(a) Retirement Plan Alternative (RPA). Employee contributions of 19.25% are matched 100% by the employer and employees experience an immediate vesting in the plan. Employees who currently or previously participated in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada may be eligible to continue in the PERS plan.
• Paid Leave: generous annual leave (accrual of 2 days per month), sick leave (granted 30 days at time of hire), 12 paid holidays, and paid family leave.
• Education Benefit: employees and their qualified dependents may take advantage of a tuition savings benefit. Faculty may take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate and their dependents may access an unlimited number of credits, if they meet specific criteria.
• Additional Perks: Employee assistance programs and professional development opportunities.

APPROXIMATE STARTING DATE: October 1, 2026

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Master's degree from an institution accredited by a federally recognized accrediting body in a relevant field (such as data science, statistics, education, public policy, or information systems) with five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, data analytics, or a closely related field, including supervisory experience, is required. In addition, hands-on experience with SQL and relational databases and an extensive understanding of data associated with secondary education is also required.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in a higher education system office, with statewide longitudinal data systems, and with Oracle, Tableau, and web technologies such as PHP, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Successful candidates must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities. Recommend that applicants for this position address some of the following elements in the resume or cover letter:

• Institutional research practice and the role of institutional research within a postsecondary setting, including standard protocols and procedures
• Data governance, student data privacy, and FERPA and applicable state statutes, including data privacy standards for published data such as small-cell suppression
• NSHE structure, Board of Regents policy, and the state legislative and budget process
• Research methodology and statistical techniques, from descriptive analysis to advanced data mining
• Data architecture and reporting technologies sufficient to bridge communication between technical staff and cabinet-level leadership
• Nevada's workforce data landscape, including statewide labor market projections, and K-12 education data systems and their integration with higher education
• Data governance frameworks that support performance-based funding models and institutional accountability
• Higher education data systems, including PeopleSoft, IPEDS, the National Student Clearinghouse, and statewide longitudinal data systems, and the cohort definitions and reporting conventions that govern them
• Relational and dimensional database modeling and data warehouse design
• Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) methodologies and pipeline architecture, including automation, scheduling, and failure monitoring
• SQL programming and relational database structure, including Oracle database environments, SQL Developer, MySQL, and PeopleSoft query manager
• Data security practices, including role-based access control and the handling of protected student records
• Taxonomy protocols and audit procedures as they support performance funding and institutional accountability
• Building data dashboards, reports, and presentations
• Strategic planning and prioritization across competing stakeholder demands
• Consensus building and facilitating alignment among stakeholders with diverse or conflicting interests
• Supervision, mentorship, and staff development
• Budget development and management, including externally funded projects
• Advanced written and oral communication, including data storytelling for executive, Board, and legislative audiences
• Advanced Oracle SQL and MySQL, including complex multi-source joins, window functions, and query optimization
• Advanced skills in a variety of computer applications and reporting tools including, but not limited to, SQL, Tableau, MS Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Design and construction of validated, reusable, aggregated datasets for analytical use
• Working with large datasets and writing and modifying queries using SQL/MySQL, HTML/CSS, and websites designed with PHP and SQL-driven web applications
• Verifying and checking data thoroughly for accuracy and completeness, and importing and exporting files between software
• Documentation of warehouse structures, pipeline logic, and processing procedures
• Technical coordination with external partners on file specifications and exchange schedules
• Producing public-facing web content and dashboards that meet applicable accessibility standards
• Strong organizational abilities and technical mentorship of analytical staff
• Ability to translate complex technical analyses into clear guidance for non-technical decision-makers
• Ability to distill large volumes of complex information into critical elements and decision-ready insights
• Ability to exercise sound judgment on matters where the answer is not apparent and the consequences are significant
• Ability to negotiate agreements that protect student privacy while enabling legitimate research and reporting
• Ability to manage competing priorities and stringent deadlines across simultaneous reporting cycles
• Ability to diagnose subtle data errors, such as grain mismatches and join behavior, that produce plausible but incorrect results
• Ability to design processes resilient to year-to-year changes in source data formats
• Ability to establish and enforce standards while collaborating constructively with institutions and colleagues
• Ability to work independently in a changing environment with accuracy and attention to detail, prioritizing and organizing tasks to meet deadlines with minimal direction, often under pressure

RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties of this position will include, but not be limited to, the following areas of responsibility:

• Lead the implementation of data initiatives tied directly to the Nevada System of Higher Education's (NSHE) Success by Design strategic plan, including tracking equity, access, completion, and workforce goals through data-informed metrics and systemwide reporting.
• Direct the complete data lifecycle for informed decision-making, setting priorities and standards for design, collection, analysis, reporting, and timely distribution of accurate data.
• Engage with and respond to the needs of NSHE leadership, the Board of Regents, and state legislators, helping them understand what data is available and how it can be utilized to inform policy and decision-making.
• Serve as an expert resource during legislative sessions and Board of Regents meetings, providing testimony, briefings, and policy analysis grounded in institutional data.
• Identify and pursue external funding opportunities, and serve as the data and research capacity supporting institutional grant applications.
• Represent NSHE in regional and national data and research networks to align systemwide practice with emerging standards.
• Supervise departmental staff as positions are established and filled, including coordinating cross-training and workload across the department.
• Develop succession and continuity plans ensuring departmental knowledge and critical functions survive staff transitions.
• Manage budgets for externally funded data projects,