Institutional Research Director jobs in Durham, NC

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Chief Institutional Research Officer

DEPARTMENT: Office of Institutional Effectiveness

POSITION LOCATION: Durham, NC Campus

POSITION NUMBER: 65004613

POSTING DATE: Monday, December 2, 2024

CLOSING DATE: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 5 p.m.

POSITION TYPE: Permanent, 12 Months, Exempt Professional Staff (EPS), FLSA Exempt, 1.0 FTE

HIRING SALARY RANGE: Commensurate with education and experience

Hiring salary will be determined based on education, experience, equity, budget, and market considerations.

NCSSM fosters an environment of collaboration across departments and divisions and supports community-engaged service and research. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran or national guard. If you are an individual with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process, please contact us at hr@ncssm.edu.

Description of Duties:

The Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness (EDIE) and Chief Research Officer for NCSSM is a member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for providing leadership, expertise, direction, and support for achieving the institution’s mission, vision, values, and goals. They provide visionary and effective leadership as well as reliable, complete and understandable data and information to inform decision-making.The EDIE has chancellor’s delegated authority to oversee the planning and execution of key institutional effectiveness functions, including strategic planning, accreditation assessment, research, and support for implementation of priority institution and UNC system-level initiatives. This position works with the chancellor, vice chancellors, deans, department chairs and program directors to ensure comprehensive, institution-wide planning, assessment, and evaluation of outcomes and program goals. As Chief Research Officer, this position provides strategic leadership for the analysis, coordination, distribution, and presentation of data and information for use in planning, decision-making, program improvement, and policy formation. The EDIE is a leader in developing and implementing NCSSM’s institutional data analytics program and data governance strategies, including work across multiple divisions and programs with faculty and staff in two locations (Durham, Morganton).

This position works with external partners and researchers on behalf of NCSSM to build capacity through research-practice partnerships in STEM education and other areas that advance NCSSM’s mission, support continuous improvement, and drive exploration of the impact of innovative educational practices.

EDIE communicates research and outcomes broadly and develops feedback mechanisms with institutional and external stakeholders, including employees, students, governing boards, parents, alumni, community partners, etc.

The EDIE manages the Office of Institutional Effectiveness operations with the following areas of responsibility and oversight:

• Strategic Planning, & Leadership Support for Advancement of Priority Initiatives;


• Evaluation of Student Success & Organizational Effectiveness;


• Data Governance;


• Strategic Leadership for Institutional Data Strategy & Analytics Program and Institutional Research & Reporting;


• Accreditation & Program/Operational Unit Assessment Support;


• STEM Education & External Research & Data Partnerships; and


• Supervise the Office of Institutional Effectiveness staff and operations on the Durham and Morganton Campuses.

There is an opportunity in this position for limited remote work based on the approval of the Chancellor.

This position also serves as NCSSM’s liaison to UNC System Office leadership and teams including the UNC System Assessment Council, Strategic Initiatives, System Survey Advisory team, Chief Research Officers Council, Data & Analytics, Directors of Institutional Research, and other project-based teams related to the duties and oversight of the position.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated skills in leadership, communication, quality improvement, project management, strategic planning facilitation, and the measurement of organizational effectiveness;


• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data; development of comprehensive reports and interpretation of complex data;


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build relationships and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies; ability to maintain information in a strict confidential manner and high level of discretion; and ability to express ideas and exchange information clearly and persuasively in a variety of settings (one-on-one, team settings, trainings, presentations, and various written forms);


• Ability to interpret business and operational needs and develop integrated, innovative solutions; and to analyze problems and develop creative solutions to complex issues and monitor the progress of initiatives;


• Experience in leading individuals and groups in using data to guide decision making in complex organizations; and


• Experience navigating the assessment requirements of accrediting bodies.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Minimum of a master’s degree (doctorate preferred), preferably in an education-related field and a minimum of three years of training in evaluation, education, or related fields. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus five years or greater of substantially relevant experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.

Strong skills in research design, quantitative and qualitative analysis including questionnaire design; strong communication skills—oral, presentation, and written; strong skills in project management, organization, and in teamwork.

Team NCSSM Benefits

Free On-campus Parking

Vacation: EHRA EPS (Exempt Professional Staff) employees receive 26 workdays of Personal Leave annually, distributed monthly. Leave accruals for part-time and less than 12 month employees are pro-rated.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year. Leave accruals for part-time and less than 12 month employees are pro-rated.

Additional Leave: Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL), Civil Leave, Personal Observance Day, Extended Illness, Short/Long Term Disability, Family Illness Leave, Military Leave, Community Service Leave, Voluntary Shared Leave and Leave Without Pay.

Holidays: 12 days per year

Benefits: The University System offers eligible employees a flexible and comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to University-provided group life insurance, various retirement savings options, group health plan coverage, dental, vision, critical illness, cancer, flexible spending accounts, accident, disability coverage, educational assistance, and more. These programs can help employees achieve retirement savings and career goals, as well as assistance with meeting everyday health and educational needs. The benefits programs are designed for employees to tailor a benefits package that best meets their needs.

Health Insurance: Employee only coverage under the State Health Plan (PPO) is provided to employees that work 30 or more hours a week. The cost is determined by the type of coverage elected by the employee. Dependent coverage is available by payroll deduction.

Retirement: Required participation for all employees working 3/4 time or more. Option (1) Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees are vested for retirement after 5 years. Option (2) The Optional Retirement Program (ORP) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees in ORP are vested after 5 years of participating in ORP. As a participant in either retirement program, you are automatically covered for short-term disability (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost), long term disability (eligible after 5 year of service/no cost). Death benefit of minimum $25,000/maximum $50,000 based on previous 12 month salary (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost).

Supplemental Retirement Plans: Supplemental retirement plans provide an additional opportunity to help you reach your retirement goals. Supplemental Plan offerings such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) on a Roth (after-tax) or pre-tax contributions.

Tuition Waiver: Three courses per academic year tuition free (at any of UNC 17 campuses that offer courses) for permanent full-time employees.

State Employees Credit Union: Membership welcomed. Contact the SECU Credit Union for information.

Community Service: 24 hours leave credited each calendar year (prorated for part-time) unless you choose the Mentoring/ tutoring option – 1 hour each week up to a max of 36 hours that schools are in session as documented by the elected board of the local education agency or the governing authority of any non-public school.

Facilities: Library & Gymnasium – other athletic facilities available at no cost to employees. Cafeteria on site.

About NCSSM:

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is a world-class public high school with statewide reach empowering academically talented students from diverse backgrounds from every corner of the state to design their own future. We offer residential high school programs in Durham and Morganton for juniors and seniors or virtual high school courses and programs that students can take alongside their local curriculum, all tuition free. Our wide array of summer offerings for rising 5th- through 12th-graders includes free opportunities for in-state students alongside paid options for students from anywhere in the world. NCSSM Extended Learning partners with communities and regions to advance student learning and outcomes.

Specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math, and embracing the fine arts and humanities, NCSSM has become the model for 18 such specialized schools around the globe since its founding in 1980 and is a full constituent of the University of North Carolina System. NCSSM’s Ignite Transform comprehensive campaign seeks to raise $50 million in private support for our mission.

The new NCSSM-Morganton campus opened in 2022 for summer programs and its first fall academic term. NCSSM-Morganton focuses on the booming fields of data science and artificial intelligence, preparing the leaders of tomorrow to navigate a future driven by data and machine learning, with emphasis on the humanistic implications and ethical use of these tools.

Nearly two-thirds of NCSSM graduates earn a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field — over three times the national average, including 58 percent of our underrepresented minority graduates, which is nearly four times the national average. Nearly three-quarters have earned or are seeking a graduate degree. A 2020 economic impact study found that 54 percent of our alumni continue to live and work in North Carolina, catalyzing nearly $1.3 billion in annual economic activity. NCSSM values the diversity in our student body, and all members of the NCSSM community are expected to foster a safe environment of respect and inclusion for all faculty, staff, and students.

For more information, please read the NCSSM strategic plan and visit ncssm.edu.