Director of Research, Analytics, & Data
Springfield, IL, US, 62701
Job Requisition ID: 49498
Closing Date: 09/29/2025
Agency: Illinois Board of Higher Education
Class Title: DIRECTOR - 68920
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Starting salary commensurate with experience, within the range of $115,000/yr - max $147,500/yr
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon; Adams; Alexander; Bond; Boone; Brown; Bureau; Calhoun; Carroll; Cass; Champaign; Christian; Clark; Clay; Clinton; Coles; Cook; Crawford; Cumberland; DeKalb; DeWitt; Douglas; DuPage; Edgar; Edwards; Effingham; Fayette; Ford; Franklin; Fulton; Gallatin; Greene; Grundy; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardin; Henderson; Henry; Iroquois; Jackson; Jasper; Jefferson; Jersey; Jo Daviess; Johnson ; Kane; Kankakee; Kendall; Knox; LaSalle; Lake; Lawrence; Lee; Livingston; Logan; Macon; Macoupin; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Mason; Massac; McDonough; McHenry; McLean; Menard; Mercer; Monroe; Montgomery; Morgan; Moultrie; Ogle; Peoria; Perry; Piatt; Pike; Pope; Pulaski; Putnam; Randolph; Richland; Rock Island; Saline; Schuyler; Scott; Shelby; St. Clair; Stark; Stephenson; Tazewell; Union; Vermilion; Wabash; Warren; Washington; Wayne; White; Whiteside; Will; Williamson; Winnebago; Woodford
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Agency Excluded from Collective Bargaining Coverage
****A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****
Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), cover letter, a copy of your transcripts or diploma for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licensures to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. Please note that the Illinois Board of Higher Education must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) before any offer can be extended. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of a Resume or CV.
About the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)
IBHE has been supporting higher education in Illinois for more than 50 years. We are a dedicated team of professionals, overseen by a Board appointed by the Governor, who are working for a strong, equitable higher education system, which we believe is essential for the state to thrive. We work with leaders in colleges, universities, state and federal government agencies, governors, legislators, and other entities to strategically further this mission.
In its strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth, IBHE has identified three goals and 25 strategies to help achieve its vision of a higher education ecosystem that ensures individuals, families, and communities across the state thrive.
- Equity - Close equity gaps for students who have been left behind.
- Sustainability - Build a stronger financial future for individuals and institutions.
- Growth - Increase talent and innovation that drives economic growth.
About the position:
As a member of the IBHE Leadership team, the Director of Research, Analytics, & Data provides leadership, governance, support, and vision in the areas of data, analytics, and research for the Illinois Board of Higher Education; Supports strategic planning and policy development; Sets/leads organizational priorities/objectives; sets policy and procedure for defined unit; accountable for overall results and sustainable operation of defined unit.
IBHE offers the State's competitive benefits package
Major Duties and Responsibilities
• Sets direction, provides direct oversight and oversees execution of assigned unit(s); contributes to agency annual planning, goal setting, budget development, priority development, and Board presentation and reporting (as required); contributes to a collaborative agency culture
- Collaborate with the Managing Director for Policy, Research, and Fiscal Analysis and other staff to provide leadership in areas of research, analytics, and data in higher education, including data reporting and analysis, online applications, database development, and institutional data collection
- Collaborate with state agencies, including ICCB, to perform analyses that require cross-agency coordination
- Assist in implementing the Agency’s strategic plan for higher education, including lead responsibility for development of reporting metrics and assessment of the plan's goals and objectives, supporting development of a statewide accountability system
- Lead the creation, management, and oversight of IBHE’s data assets, including public-facing and internal dashboards, analytic products, and data collections, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and high-quality database management
- Lead reporting and analytics that drive higher education policy, including state-mandated and workforce reports
- Lead IBHE’s workforce analytics team, ensuring accurate analysis and reporting to meet statutory supply-and-demand requirements and support workforce planning
- Lead and chair key committees, driving strategic oversight and decision-making
- Serve as representative or assigns staff to serve as representative for federal and state data systems, including IPEDS and the Illinois Longitudinal Data System
- Collaborate with Governor's Office and General Assembly to provide information and respond to requests regarding data and policy-related issues in coordination with IBHE's Legislative Liaison
• Manage multiple contracts and agency agreements, analyzing contract terms, identifying potential risks, and finding solutions to problems.
• Supervises and mentors a diverse, multi-faceted team; provides leadership for hiring, onboarding, and professional development ensuring their success
• Other duties as assigned, within scope of position
Education and Experience
Required:
- Master’s degree* in a related field from an accredited Institution
*Three additional years of experience may be substituted for a Master’s degree (PhD in a related field, from an accredited Institution preferred)
- Minimum of 7 years progressively responsible related experience with a minimum of two (2)+ years’ of supervision of professional staff
Knowledge Requirements
- Formal education and/or experience in the field of data analysis, institutional research
- Knowledge or experience with higher education policy
Skills and Traits
- Commitment to public service and passion for education
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork; ability to build and maintain positive working relationships
- Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of constituents and stakeholders, such as Board members, senior government executives, elected officials, institutional officers and leaders, and private sector leaders.
- Excellent problem-solving and written and verbal communication skills
- Strong project-management skills, excellent follow-through, and ability to organize and prioritize
- Good judgement and discretion
- Collaborative, team-oriented, relationship-focused; Demonstrated ability to support and develop professional staff
Organizational Chart
Position reports to the Managing Director of Policy, Research, and Fiscal Analysis.
Position has the following direct report(s):
- Sr. Assoc. Dir. of Accountability & Research
- Assoc. Dir. of Workforce Analytics
- Institutional Research Analyst(s)
- Business Analyst(s)
- Data Analyst(s)
Work Hours: 8:00am- 4:00pm Mon-Fri
Work Location: 1 N Old State Capitol Plz Springfield, IL 62701-1323*
*IBHE offers remote and hybrid work arrangements, based on position and supervisor discretion. IL Residency is required.Travel within Illinois is expected, as required by the work.
Agency Contact: IBHE Human Resources
Email: HumanResources@ibhe.org
Phone #: (217) 782-2551
Posting Group: Education; Leadership & Management
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
- systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
Nearest Major Market: Springfield