Assistant Provost for Data Strategy and Director of Institutional Effectiveness

Overview:

 

Quinnipiac University is seeking an innovative and strategic Assistant Provost for Data Strategy and Director of Institutional Effectiveness to transform how the University uses data to understand performance, inform decisions, and shape its future.

This is an opportunity to build a next-generation institutional effectiveness and data strategy function—one that moves beyond traditional reporting to deliver timely, actionable insight to leaders across the University. Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Innovation & Effectiveness, the Assistant Provost will lead an integrated enterprise of institutional research, data strategy, analytics, reporting, assessment, and decision support.

As the University's senior operational leader for institutional effectiveness, you will partner with academic and administrative leaders to strengthen the University's ability to turn complex data into meaningful insight. You will help reduce manual reporting, accelerate the path from question to answer, expand responsible self-service analytics, and establish institutional intelligence as a strategic asset.

Working closely with the Vice President for Academic Innovation & Effectiveness and campus leadership, you will provide leadership for university-wide data strategy and help ensure that institutional data and evidence are aligned with Quinnipiac's strategic priorities.

About Quinnipiac:

Quinnipiac University is a private, coeducational institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university currently has an enrollment of 9,700 students in more than 100-degree programs through its Schools of Business, Communications, Computing & Engineering, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and the College of Arts & Sciences. Our 20 Division I teams have achieved remarkable success, boasting national and conference titles — including a 2023 NCAA national championship win in men’s ice hockey, a trip to the Sweet 16 for our women's basketball team and NCAA Tournament appearances by many of our programs. The Quinnipiac University Poll is nationally recognized as a leader in public opinion research, and the university is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review. The Wall Street Journal ranked Quinnipiac #51 among the best colleges in the nation, and second in Connecticut, for our exceptional graduation rate, salary impact, learning facilities, career preparation and learning opportunities.

The university is in the midst of program expansion and renewal for both traditional and adult learners, the development of innovative strategic partnerships, and recently opened South Quad with three state-of-the-art buildings.

As Quinnipiac grows, the university remains guided by the core values that define our community and shapes the experience of every student and employee.

• We are fiercely committed to ensuring every Bobcat thrives. We are a lifelong partner for every learner.
• We passionately care about our community. Everyone should feel welcome and valued.
• We boldly shape our university's future. We will forge a path of impact together.

These values are the foundation of who we are and reflect the Quinnipiac spirit found across our campuses. For more information, please visit qu.edu. Connect with Quinnipiac on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X.

Responsibilities: Lead institutional intelligence, research, and assessment
• Set a clear vision for an integrated institutional research and assessment function while remaining actively engaged in the analyses, reports, and evidence products that support institutional decisions.
• Prepare and ensure accurate, trusted institutional reports for federal and state agencies, accreditors, ranking organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Conduct and lead meaningful analyses of enrollment, retention, progression, graduation, student success, academic programs, and institutional performance against agreed-upon benchmarks.
• Design, conduct, and interpret survey research, benchmarking, peer comparisons, market and environmental analysis, and institutional effectiveness studies, including NSSE and internal instruments.
• Strengthen assessment of student learning across academic program review, general education, high-impact practices, online learning, and school- and program-level assessment.

Optimize data, reporting, and analytics
• Build a next-generation reporting operation that reduces manual effort, shortens the path from question to insight, and expands responsible self-service.
• Develop and prepare governed dashboards, intuitive data products, recurring reports, role-appropriate access, and reusable reporting tools that help leaders make timely, evidence-informed decisions.
• Establish strong data definitions, governance practices, quality standards, documentation, and service expectations so institutional data is consistent, reliable, and easy to use.
• Create disciplined intake and triage processes for ad hoc requests, turning recurring needs into scalable solutions whenever possible.

Advance responsible AI, automation, and insight generation
• Identify and implement practical automation opportunities while continuing to prepare scheduled data products, reusable analytical workflows, standardized reports, and automated quality checks.
• Lead the responsible use of AI and emerging technologies for data preparation, validation, documentation, survey analysis, narrative generation, anomaly detection, forecasting, and other appropriate institutional research workflows.
• Advance predictive, prescriptive, and scenario-based analytics to support enrollment, retention, student success, academic planning, resource allocation, and institutional risk awareness.

Turn evidence into action
• Prepare clear analyses, visualizations, forecasts, written reports, and decision briefs for university, school, and departmental leaders, connecting evidence to implications, choices, and next steps.
• Align assessment, institutional research, accreditation evidence, and planning cycles so findings lead to documented improvement and curricular innovation.
• Support grants, accreditation, strategic initiatives, and executive or governing-body needs by producing rigorous analyses, compelling evidence, and polished reporting materials.
• Maintain expertise in evolving reporting standards, external benchmarks, and ranking methodologies, and proactively assess institutional implications.

Build partnerships and data fluency
• Build strong partnerships with registrar, One Stop, information services, admissions and financial aid, finance, academic budgets and resource planning, and units across academic affairs.
• Develop training, consultation, documentation, and office hours that help leaders, faculty, and staff confidently interpret data and use evidence appropriately.
• Build, supervise, and develop a high-performing institutional research and assessment team while coordinating a broader network of data leaders across the university to strengthen shared standards, collaboration, and evidence-informed practice. Education Requirements:

• Master’s degree in higher education, data science, social science, or related field
• Doctoral degree preferred

Qualifications:

• 7 to 10 years of experience in institutional research, institutional effectiveness, assessment, analytics, strategic planning, or a related field, preferably within higher education
• Demonstrated leadership experience in institutional research, assessment, analytics, data strategy, or decision support
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and qualitative research skills, with experience interpreting complex data and communicating findings to varied audiences
• Knowledge of data governance, data quality, reporting standards, dashboards, and responsible data use
• Experience with responsible uses of AI, automation, and emerging technologies to improve reporting workflows, data validation, documentation, analysis, and insight generation
• Ability to translate data into insight, strategy, and action through clear reports, presentations, visualizations, and recommendations
• Excellent communication, collaboration, consultation, and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders, faculty, staff, information technology, finance, admissions, and academic units
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or developing staff preferred

Special Instructions to Applicants:

TO APPLY:
Applications must be submitted electronically and include a resume, a cover letter detailing how your experience aligns with the position requirements, demonstrated commitment to intentional leadership that values individuals of all backgrounds and experiences, and contact information for three references.

Please also provide an example of a report you have delivered to senior administration that combines quantitative metrics and data visualizations with narrative analysis and key insights.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $140,000 – $160,000. At the time of offer, the final salary will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, including relevant education, experience, skills, and competencies, as well as internal equity and market considerations. Quinnipiac University offers eligible full-time faculty and staff a comprehensive benefits package that may include health insurance, life insurance, paid time off, education benefits, and retirement benefits.

Quinnipiac University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and experience a strong sense of belonging.