Senior Director, Planning and Research chez Pitt Community College, NC

About the Department

The Senior Director of Planning and Research supervises institutional research activity, assessment, survey research, FTE audit and compliance. This position assists with institutional accreditation and strategic planning to support the college’s mission, supports department and institutional decision making, and college policy development. The Senior Director directs and manages data collection and analyses; leads and manages qualitative and quantitative research activities relative to institutional needs; the compilation of data and the submission of required state and federal reports regarding college activities. 

Position Duties

• Provide strategic leadership, direction, and supervision for institutional effectiveness, research, planning, accreditation, assessment, and compliance reporting functions.
• Oversee and evaluate staff within the Planning and Research department, including recruitment, training, and performance management.
• Design, manage, and analyze institutional research and effectiveness projects to support data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement across the College.
• Direct and ensure accuracy of required local, state, and federal reporting, including IPEDS and NCCCS submissions, FTE audits, and accountability measures.
• Collaborate with senior leaders, deans, and department chairs to establish, track, and assess student success indicators and institutional performance metrics.
• Develop and deliver professional development sessions and presentations to faculty, staff, administrators, and the Board of Trustees regarding the effective use of institutional data.
• Manage and prioritize multiple research and reporting projects, ensuring timely completion and alignment with institutional goals and compliance requirements.
• Lead and/or serve on committees focused on assessment, accreditation, and institutional effectiveness, promoting a culture of evidence-based planning and evaluation.
• Maintain and enhance data governance systems and reporting tools, ensuring data integrity and optimizing the use of analytic software and technology resources (e.g., Informer, SPSS, SAS, Colleague).
• Direct the college-wide data request system and coordinate the development and administration of institutional surveys and studies to inform strategic initiatives.
• Supervises 3 Full-Time Staff members

Our Values:

At Pitt Community College, our culture is built on excellence, collaboration, innovation, accountability and a student-centered focus. We expect our employees to embrace the following cultural statements:

• Every role contributes to student success.
• We treat one another with respect and work together as one team.
• We embrace creativity, adaptability, and new ideas to stay relevant.
• We act with integrity, accountability, and responsible stewardship.
• We put students first, designing programs and services that help them thrive in college, career and life.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and at least five (5) years of experience with planning & research, institutional research, and analysis in the community college or higher education setting

OR any equivalent combination of professional training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree with an education background in Educational/Social Science Research, Statistics, or related field; Experience within a NC Community College in Planning & Research; Supervision experience.

Other Qualifications

Work Environment: Primarily office setting; requires extensive use of computers, databases, and presentation technology; frequent collaboration with senior leadership, faculty, staff, and external agencies, and may include attending on-campus and virtual meetings; must be able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, data-driven, and highly collaborative environment. 

Physical Demands: Primarily sedentary; requires the ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based tasks, data analysis, and report preparation; must be able to operate standard office equipment including computers, printers, and projectors. Some walking, standing, and light lifting up to 10 pounds may be required for meetings, presentations, and event setup. Visual acuity and manual dexterity are necessary for operating a computer and reviewing detailed documents and data.

Normal Working Hours: Standard schedule, Monday – Friday; occasional evening or weekend hours may be required to meet reporting deadlines, support institutional events, or participate in meetings, committees, or professional development activities. Flexibility is expected to accommodate peak workload periods and college priorities.