Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, administration, and analysis of surveys within Villanova’s Systematic Survey Cycle (e.g., Entering Student Survey, Senior Survey, Climate Surveys, HERI Faculty Surveys).
• Lead the development, administration, and analysis of commissioned surveys for academic and administrative units, aligning survey initiatives with institutional and strategic goals.
• Supervise and mentor survey research staff, fostering professional growth and collaboration.
• Deliver compelling presentations and reports that translate data into actionable insights for senior leadership and campus stakeholders.
• Advance reporting practices by:
• Incorporating visualization tools and dashboards to complement traditional reporting.
• Using infographics and narrative techniques to make findings more accessible and actionable.
• Supporting secure, streamlined data sharing through university-approved platforms.
• Ensure methodological rigor and compliance with data privacy standards.
• Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Formal Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Survey Research, Statistics, Educational Research, Data Analytics, etc.).

Work Experience

• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in survey research, institutional effectiveness, or a related field, including team leadership and supervisory responsibilities.
• Track record of effective people leadership—mentoring, coaching, prioritizing workload, and managing performance.

Work Skills

• Sophisticated project management skills, with the ability to scope, sequence, and deliver multiple initiatives – likely in different phases – simultaneously on time and to a high standard.
• Strong applied statistical analysis using modern software platforms (e.g., significance testing, regression, factor analysis, clustering, reliability/validity testing, weighting, benchmarking, etc.).
• Mastery of survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics)—complex logic, embedded data, panel management, integrations/APIs, and governance.
• High-level proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel (e.g., complex formulas, nested logic, pivot tables, Power Query, data modeling, and data transformation).
• Comfort working with large, complex datasets, including data pipelines, joins/merges, documentation, and quality control.
• Strong data visualization capability using Tableau and/or Power BI, including data modeling, calculated fields/measures, parameters, drill-through, row-level security, and dashboard UX.
• Exceptional data storytelling and communication, producing infographics and narrative-driven summaries tailored to diverse audiences.
• Polished presentation skills with the ability to brief senior leadership succinctly and persuasively.
• Knowledge of cloud-based collaboration and secure data sharing platforms.
• Ability to maintain strictest levels of confidentiality working with often highly sensitive data and information.

Specific Job Knowledge

• Strong expertise in survey methodology, including instrument design, sampling, bias assessment, scale construction, and measurement validation.

Preferred Qualifications:

Formal Education

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Survey Research, Statistics, Educational Research, or related field.

Work Experience

• Experience working in higher education, preferably in Institutional Research or Institutional Effectiveness, with knowledge of higher education data standards.

Work Skills

• Advanced proficiency in SPSS and/or R, including use of syntax/scripts to support advanced survey analysis methods and development of reproducible, well‑documented analytic workflows.
• Demonstrated experience designing and maintaining a standardized dashboard system for survey reporting, including recurring refresh cycles, role‑based access, and support for longitudinal and comparative analysis.
• Experience communicating with senior stakeholders on methodological tradeoffs, assumptions, and interpretation of complex statistical findings.

Specific Job Knowledge

• Awareness of emerging technologies, including AI tools for data analysis and visualization, and the ability to evaluate their potential for institutional research.
• Familiarity with accreditation and compliance reporting.

• Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.

• Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.