Job Duties
Virginia State University (VSU), a comprehensive public university with a rich history and forward-looking mission, is committed to student success, academic excellence, and community impact. The Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (OPIE) provides reliable and timely information to support institutional planning, accreditation, accountability, and data informed decision making.
The Director of Institutional Research provides strategic leadership for the University’s institutional research function. The Director ensures accurate collection, analysis, and reporting of institutional data to support decision-making, strategic planning, accreditation, compliance, and continuous improvement. This role collaborates across the University to foster a culture of evidence informed decision making and represents VSU in state, federal, and accreditation reporting processes.
The Director reports to the Assistant Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation.
Key Responsibilities
• Data Leadership and Governance:
Provide oversight for institutional research activities, ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility. Lead campus wide data governance initiatives.
• Institutional Reporting and Compliance:
Ensure timely and accurate submission of required state, federal, and accreditation reports (e.g., SCHEV, IPEDS, SACSCOC). Coordinate responses to data requests from external agencies and ranking organizations.
• Analytics and Applied Research:
Conduct advanced statistical analyses, predictive modeling, and benchmarking to support enrollment management, student success, and institutional performance. Provide insights to guide decision making at every level of the University.
• Planning and Evaluation Support:
Supply data and research to support accreditation, academic program review, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness initiatives. Partner with leadership on evidence-based policy development and budgetary planning.
• Communication and Engagement:
Prepare and present clear, actionable reports, dashboards, and presentations for senior leadership, trustees, faculty, and committees. Translate complex data into accessible insights for a variety of audiences.
• Education and Data Literacy:
Provide training and resources to faculty and staff on accessing, interpreting, and applying institutional data. Advance a culture of data informed decision making across the University.
• Professional Development:
Stay current with emerging trends, best practices, and ethical standards in institutional research through professional organizations such as the Association for Institutional Research (AIR).
This is an exciting opportunity to play a critical leadership role in advancing Virginia State University’s mission through data informed decision making, strategic analysis, and institutional effectiveness. The Director of Institutional Research will be a visible leader who partners across the University to shape a future of innovation and student success.
Minimum Qualifications
• Master’s degree in statistics, institutional research, data science, educational research, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, data analytics, or a related higher education role.
• Proficiency with statistical analysis tools (R, SPSS, SAS) and business intelligence platforms (Tableau, Power BI, SQL).
• Strong leadership, project management, and collaboration skills, with the ability to supervise staff and coordinate complex projects.t
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present data in clear, concise, and compelling ways to diverse audiences.
*Virginia State University requires that faculty be appropriately credentialed to teach assigned courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. VSU demonstrates compliance with its Faculty Credentialing Policy #2301 for all applicable education, experience, licensure and certification requirements in the selection and hiring of its faculty.
Additional Considerations
Doctorate degree (preferred)
Experience with survey design and analysis (NSSE, CIRP, Ruffalo Noel Levitz, etc.)
Demonstrated experience with accreditation processes and reporting requirements.
Familiarity with federal and state higher education policy trends affecting institutional data and accountability.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
You must include a current resume/c.v. and a letter of interest in your application. Three (2) letters of recommendation and official transcripts will be required before hire.
Virginia State University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, race, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. VSU encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY: Virginia State University only accepts applications for this position through the on-line state Recruitment Management System (PageUp). Faxed, e-mailed, and mailed applications and/or attachments will not be accepted. The application must be detailed and fully completed. All employment and periods of unemployment (if applicable) must be listed within the application; either on an attached resume or manually listed in the “Relevant Work History” section. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application, therefore, it is essential to fully complete each section of the application and provide descriptive information. Submitting an incomplete state application, or a state application lacking in detail, may result in your non-selection. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.
The selected candidate will be subject to an extensive and complete background check, which may include fingerprinting. The candidate may be required to complete a Statement of Economic Interest as a condition of employment, if applicable.
Contact Information
Name: Dominique M. Fisher
Phone: 804-524-5075
Email:
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter.