Associate Director, Data Analytics & Student Engagement Assessment

Job description

The Data Analytics & Student Engagement Assessment Associate Director reports to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Strategy & Engagement within the Division of Student Affairs (DSA). This position serves as a key data steward for the Division, with primary responsibility for developing, managing, and communicating the data systems, dashboards, and analytical resources that support student engagement tracking, program assessment, and evidence-based decision-making across Student Affairs units.
This position translates complex student data into actionable insights that inform divisional strategy and institutional reporting. This includes a particular focus on student engagement outcomes, retention indicators, and student (undergraduate, graduate, and professional students) success. The position works closely with data leads, including but not limited to Newcomb-Tulane College (NTC) and the Tulane Office of Assessment & Institutional Research (OAIR), to ensure data alignment, integrity, and shared institutional value. The incumbent will recommend and assist the Assistant Vice President for Strategy & Engagement and Vice President of Student Affairs in setting and leading division-wide data standards that are aligned with university-wide data governance strategies.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects without direct supervision.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment within a supervisory framework.
• Proficiency in data analysis and at least one data visualization platform (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, with mastery of Excel.
• Experience with statistical analysis tools such as SPSS, R, or Python.
• Experience with survey design and administration tools such as Qualtrics, Microsoft Forms, or comparable platforms, including data collection, analysis, and reporting of results to support program assessment and institutional research.
• Ability to communicate data findings clearly to non-technical audiences, including senior leadership and program staff.
• Commitment to responsible data stewardship, confidentiality, and FERPA compliance.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, and ability to build effective working relationships across units and institutional levels.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, student affairs, data analytics, information systems, social science, public policy, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in data analysis, institutional research, or assessment, preferably in a higher education setting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master’s Degree
• Experience working directly within or in close partnership with student affairs, enrollment management, or academic support units.
• Proficient with Microsoft Power BI, including Power Query and DAX.
• Familiarity with student affairs platforms common in higher education settings, including co-curricular engagement tools (e.g., WaveSync/Campus Labs), residential life tools (e.g., StarRez), case management systems (e.g., Maxient), CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce), and student information systems (e.g., Banner, PeopleSoft, Workday).
• Proven project management skills.
• Experience supporting student success frameworks that address barriers to persistence, particularly for first-generation and low-income students.
• Prior experience presenting data findings to cabinet-level administrators, institutional committees, or external stakeholders. A cover letter is required for the position.