Institutional Research Analyst

Job Summary
The Institutional Research Analyst supports the mission and effectiveness of the college by collecting, analyzing, and reporting data to inform decision making, strategic planning, program evaluation, accreditation, and continuous improvement.
This role works closely with academic programs, institutional leadership, and the Institutional Research & Effectiveness team to conduct research studies, design and deploy surveys, prepare data reports and dashboards, evaluate workforce and regional economic trends, and support federal/state reporting requirements in compliance with all Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) policies and regulations.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Data Collection, Analysis & Reporting – 45%
•    Collect, compile, clean, and analyze institutional, programmatic, and operational data, and make recommendations to senior leadership to inform program development, workforce development, and strategic planning.
•    Extract and evaluate institutional data from systems such as Banner and related databases.
•    Build and maintain data visualizations, dashboards, and statistical reports (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Excel, SPSS, Python, R) that support institutional planning and guide leadership review.
•    Prepare routine and specialized reports related to enrollment analyses, student success metrics, retention trends, and program evaluation.
•    Investigate underlying trends, variances, and potential causes for data change, and provide evidence‑based recommendations that support institutional priorities.
•    Respond to internal data requests with accuracy and clarity, offering guidance on interpretation when needed.
Research, Evaluation & Strategic Planning Support – 30%
•    Conduct research studies and broader environmental scans to identify performance trends for programs, geographic regions, and workforce development needs, summarizing key implications for senior leadership.
•    Analyze regional economic and labor market data to help programs align offerings with workforce demands and recommend opportunities for program enhancement or development.
•    Contribute to institutional strategic planning through research‑based insights, forecasting, and evaluation of progress toward strategic goals.
•    Assist department leadership with evaluation initiatives and institutional effectiveness measures, providing recommendations based on study results.
•    Support data collection and analysis for Perkins Grant reporting, advisory committee surveys, and institutional metrics, translating findings into actionable insights for planning and improvement.
Survey Design, Deployment & Evaluation – 15%
•    Design, administer, and analyze institutional surveys using established research methodologies.
•    Coordinate deployment and reporting of course evaluations.
•    Summarize survey results and prepare actionable recommendations for leadership and stakeholders.
Accreditation, Compliance & Grants Support – 10%
•    Assist the AVP with accreditation-related data collection, documentation, and reporting.
•    Support federal and state reporting requirements, including IPEDS and other mandated submissions.
•    Collaborate with the Grants Coordinator to provide data for grant applications, progress reports, and outcomes evaluation.
•    Assist the Director of Institutional Effectiveness in data gathering and analysis to support assessment and accreditation activities.
Competencies
•    Research methodology and statistical analysis
•    Data visualization and reporting
•    Survey design and evaluation
•    Decision making and problem solving
•    Oral and written communication
•    Institutional effectiveness and assessment strategies (preferred)
•    Knowledge of college and program accreditation standards (preferred)
•    Ability to gather, interpret, and present complex data clearly
•    Strong organizational and documentation skills
•    Experience with education related data systems and metrics
•    Strong interpersonal skills
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment and technologies.
Physical Demands
The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, handle materials, reach with hands and arms, and climb stairs.
Some lifting of office materials up to 50 pounds may occasionally be required.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full time position located on the Murphy Campus.
Typical hours are Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Some extended hours may be required based on project cycles and reporting deadlines.
Travel
Occasional travel to other campus locations is required.
Required Education and Experience
•    Associate’s degree and three (3) years of work related experience
Experience may substitute for education on a year for year basis.
Preferred Education and Experience
•    Bachelor’s degree in statistics, data science, social science research, education, or a related field
•    Experience in higher education, preferably within the Technical College System of Georgia
•    Experience with Tableau, Power BI, SPSS, R, Python, or other analytics tools
•    Knowledge of Banner, IPEDS, and institutional reporting processes
•    Experience with institutional effectiveness, assessment, or accreditation processes
•    Experience working with workforce or labor market data
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.