Director of Institutional Research & Academic Assessment - 998643
- Staff, full-time (32+ hours per week)
Title: Director of Institutional Research & Academic Assessment - 998643
Position Number: 998643
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Department Summary:
The Office of Institutional Research & Assessment serves as a source of information about Drake University. The mission is to provide data, reports, and research that support institutional accreditation, planning, strengthen teaching and learning, and promote understanding of the nature and quality of education at Drake University. Learn more about Institutional Research & Assessment at https://www.drake.edu/oira/.
Job Summary:
The Director of Institutional Research & Academic Assessment provides strategic leadership and forecasting by validating, analyzing, and integrating institutional data into operations and decision-making.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree in related field
Three years’ relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctorate degree in related field
- Experience leading and managing data governance activities in a higher education environment
- Experience developing Power BI reports/analytics
- Experience with Blackboard Analytics data warehouse system
- Experience synthesizing available external research and data for process improvement
Job Duties:
- 20% - Integrate analysis of institutional data into operations and decision-making; develop analysis and reporting tools that assist with the integration of information resources with operations; communicate institutional and national data analyses to campus community and senior leadership.
- 20% - Provide central administrative leadership, management, and coordination of multi-level outcomes assessment with an emphasis on student learning and educational program outcomes assessment. Collaborate with college level assessment leadership to coordinate and implement effective and efficient assessment processes. Provide guidance to colleges, departments, and programs on assessment of student learning outcomes and data needs related to program review and accreditation. Develop appropriate annual and other periodic reports documenting assessment activities and use of information for improvement.
- 20% - Lead institution-wide activities related to Institutional Research and Assessment including supervision of Institutional Research and Assessment staff. Ensure the quality and accuracy of data submissions related to external and internal reporting.
- 20% - Lead and oversee institutional analytics and data governance strategy. Co-chair the institutional Data Governance Council. Ensure that institutional analytics and data governance strategy is coordinated and enforced across all academic and administrative units on campus.
- 10% - Oversight of internal program review processes including policies, mechanisms for program review, and schedule of program reviews. Oversight of OIRA team collaborations with programs, colleges and academic units to enable efficient and effective program reviews; ensures appropriate maintenance of records.
- 10% - Serve as institutional liaison to Higher Learning Commission. Lead, manage, and coordinate the development and implementation of Higher Learning Commission institutional accreditation and quality assurance initiatives, focusing on enhanced integration with institutional practice. Collaborates with appropriate stakeholders in the initiation, implementation, coordination, and refinement of assurance processes. Develop and manage documentation of quality assurance efforts. Collaborate with appropriate campus partners to ensure effective monitoring of and compliance with national and state academic policies.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Please include names and contact information for three references.
Review of Applications Begins:
A review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open until filled.
Salary and Benefits:
At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2026. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits
For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.
ABOUT DRAKE
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
STRONG COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. As reflected in our Core Values, we embrace a diverse and inclusive community.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Drake University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (p: 515.271.3133; e: jobs@drake.edu) and let us know how we can assist you.
