Director of Research Analytics & Strategic Initiatives

Department: Research Analytics
Salary/Grade: EXS/13

Job Summary:

The Director of Research Analytics and Strategic Initiatives provides leadership for research analytics, strategic initiatives, and related projects within the Office for Research. This position serves as a central coordinator for complex research-related projects, using data-driven insights and structured project management practices to support institutional research priorities.

The Director partners with faculty, research administrators, academic leaders, and external stakeholders to develop, implement, and monitor strategic initiatives that advance the University's research mission. In addition to overseeing research analytics and reporting, this role facilitates collaboration across disciplines, coordinates project teams, establishes timelines and deliverables, manages stakeholder communications, and ensures successful execution of research-focused initiatives. This role also serves as the liaison for the Office of Research with other offices at the University that share the mission of data-driven decision making.

The Director of Research Analytics and Strategic Initiatives serves as a central coordinator for research-focused initiatives and collaborates extensively with Office for Research leadership, faculty, research administrators, academic leaders, and external stakeholders. The relationship-building, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement required for success in this role necessitate an on-campus presence of at least three days per week.

The Director of Research Analytics will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities:

Research Analytics and Decision Support

• Lead the development and delivery of research analytics, dashboards, and reports to support Office for Research and institutional decision-making.
• Analyze research performance metrics, funding trends, and other strategic indicators.
• Identify opportunities to leverage data to advance research growth and effectiveness.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership and research stakeholders.
• Direct a team of two in support of team goals: a Senior Research Data Analyst and a Senior Digital Design professional.

Strategic Project Management

• Lead and coordinate multiple concurrent projects within the Office for Research from initiation through implementation.
• Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, governance structures, and accountability measures.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure successful outcomes.
• Facilitate regular project status meetings and provide updates to leadership.
• Ensure alignment between project objectives and institutional research priorities.

Engagement and Collaboration

• Build relationships across Provost Office, schools, departments, and administrative units to advance shared analytic and strategic goals.
• Serve as a neutral facilitator to promote communication, collaboration, and consensus-building among diverse stakeholders.
• Engage in national organizations as relevant

Research Strategy and Operations

• Assist in developing performance metrics and assessing outcomes for strategic initiatives.
• Provide data and analysis to support the identification of operational efficiencies within the Office and at key points of intersection across offices.
• Coordinate special initiatives related to research growth, administrative efficiency, and institutional priorities.

Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, certifications, and skills)

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred in Business, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, Data Science, Data Analytics, Project Management, or a related field.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, research administration, analytics, project management, and/or strategic operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects as assigned including project leadership and execution.
• Experience facilitating meetings, working groups, and collaborative initiatives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to use and understand data from a variety of sources with an emphasis on data accuracy and integrity.
• Experience with large data sets and data management systems
• Strong skills communicating with data, including visualization and storytelling for a diverse audience
• Stakeholder management
• Meeting facilitation and consensus building
• Relationship development
• Organizational influence without direct authority

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Experience within a university research environment.
• Knowledge of research administration, sponsored programs, and research performance metrics.
• Experience supporting faculty engagement and interdisciplinary research initiatives.
• Detailed knowledge of higher education practices, including methodologies for tracking performance in sponsored research and research administration.
• Detailed knowledge of research information management and benchmarking systems such as Elsevier Pure, Symplectic Elements, Academic Analytics, or similar.
• Experience working with a Project Manager
  

Target hiring range for this position will be between $140,000-$170,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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