Colorado Department of Revenue
Overview
The Director of Research leads the Department's research and data agenda to inform policy and promote student success. This role supervises a team of data and research analysts, mentors staff in producing high-quality legislative reports, and provides guidance on data analysis and storytelling to ensure data insights inform key policy and legislative conversations. The Director manages multiple research projects related to student success in alignment with the higher education Strategic Plan and collaborates on projects to evaluate program outcomes and policy initiatives. The role requires experience with empirical higher education research, national/state/institutional research and policy, knowledge of national datasets, and experience working with student-level higher education data in a research setting. The Director provides high-level oversight to improve data quality, analysis, and reporting with meticulous attention to detail.
Responsibilities
Direct the Department’s research agenda, including design, implementation, and evaluation of projects that support policy development and operational improvement; supervise a team of data and research analysts to ensure accuracy, consistency, and integrity of data analysis and reporting outputs.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with legislators, state agencies, institutional staff, and researchers to facilitate data sharing and joint initiatives.
Represent the Department on panels, boards, and working groups to promote cross-agency collaboration and advance shared research goals.
Lead efforts to improve research outputs through data quality control processes to enhance data availability and inform policy decisions.
Drive the development of research reports, dashboards, and visualizations to communicate data-informed findings to stakeholders, including legislators and higher education institutions.
Lead efforts to transform data and policy analyses into effective presentations and reports for time-sensitive questions and policy decisions.
Analyze and provide succinct reports on policy and research topics related to postsecondary education; provide oversight and mentorship to staff in authoring high-quality legislative reports.
Assist with the administration and monitoring of research grants; develop and oversee data quality control processes across the Department.
Develop and foster partnerships with internal divisions, state agencies, and external researchers to enhance data sharing and workflow.
Represent the Department on panels and boards to facilitate data sharing across Colorado state agencies in strategy-aligned and responsible ways.
Qualifications Education and Experience Education: Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical path includes a Master’s degree in public policy or administration, higher education, research methodologies, or a related field with a demonstratable focus on higher education.
Experience: The Director of Research should have a strong background in higher education research, advanced data analysis skills, and experience leading a team and communicating complex findings. Requirements include extensive experience in a research environment with a focus on higher education.
A minimum of five years of experience with research and data analysis, with at least two years specific to higher education.
At least one year of direct supervisory or management experience.
Experience working with student-level data in an institutional research setting at a college or university.
Experience conducting research using student-level data on behalf of a governmental or non-profit organization.
Formal experience leading projects related to higher education research, data, and policy.
Experience working with large, student-level datasets and a demonstrated ability to manage, analyze, quality check, and document practices related to data effectively.
Ability to synthesize complex research findings into succinct summaries for a variety of stakeholders.
Preferred: Doctoral degree in higher education, public policy, research, or related field with a demonstrated focus on higher education.
Knowledge Of
Current higher education policy trends, research areas, and challenges facing postsecondary students.
Best practices for data analysis in Microsoft Excel to reduce manual errors; ability to train staff accordingly.
Modern quantitative and qualitative methods in a policy or higher education context, including inferential statistics and survey design.
National higher education datasets; data management principles for handling sensitive student-level data.
SQL Server; statistical software such as Stata, SPSS, or R; data visualization and storytelling with Tableau or Power BI.
Abilities
Effective written and verbal communication; ability to present to internal and external audiences on complex research topics.
Accurate portrayal of data and translation of findings for a broad audience; high attention to technical detail.
Establish and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders; quick learner who can prioritize and manage time effectively.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team; mentor staff with diverse backgrounds; manage multiple priorities with flexibility.
Think critically, apply reasoning and analysis, and take initiative to solve problems and innovate; handle sensitive information responsibly.
Supplemental Information Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting) Represents typical requirements to perform essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
Occasional lifting and keyboard use; regular vision and hearing for communication and documentation.
If you require reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact HR at the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
Typical Working Conditions Standard office environment with a 40-hour work week; remote, hybrid, or in-office depending on arrangement. Some responsibilities may require extended hours or travel, including in-state travel with possible overnight stays.
Notice The statements describe the general nature and level of work and are not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity and inclusion. For accommodations or questions, contact HR at the listed address.
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The Director of Research leads the Department's research and data agenda to inform policy and promote student success. This role supervises a team of data and research analysts, mentors staff in producing high-quality legislative reports, and provides guidance on data analysis and storytelling to ensure data insights inform key policy and legislative conversations. The Director manages multiple research projects related to student success in alignment with the higher education Strategic Plan and collaborates on projects to evaluate program outcomes and policy initiatives. The role requires experience with empirical higher education research, national/state/institutional research and policy, knowledge of national datasets, and experience working with student-level higher education data in a research setting. The Director provides high-level oversight to improve data quality, analysis, and reporting with meticulous attention to detail.
Responsibilities
Direct the Department’s research agenda, including design, implementation, and evaluation of projects that support policy development and operational improvement; supervise a team of data and research analysts to ensure accuracy, consistency, and integrity of data analysis and reporting outputs.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with legislators, state agencies, institutional staff, and researchers to facilitate data sharing and joint initiatives.
Represent the Department on panels, boards, and working groups to promote cross-agency collaboration and advance shared research goals.
Lead efforts to improve research outputs through data quality control processes to enhance data availability and inform policy decisions.
Drive the development of research reports, dashboards, and visualizations to communicate data-informed findings to stakeholders, including legislators and higher education institutions.
Lead efforts to transform data and policy analyses into effective presentations and reports for time-sensitive questions and policy decisions.
Analyze and provide succinct reports on policy and research topics related to postsecondary education; provide oversight and mentorship to staff in authoring high-quality legislative reports.
Assist with the administration and monitoring of research grants; develop and oversee data quality control processes across the Department.
Develop and foster partnerships with internal divisions, state agencies, and external researchers to enhance data sharing and workflow.
Represent the Department on panels and boards to facilitate data sharing across Colorado state agencies in strategy-aligned and responsible ways.
Qualifications Education and Experience Education: Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical path includes a Master’s degree in public policy or administration, higher education, research methodologies, or a related field with a demonstratable focus on higher education.
Experience: The Director of Research should have a strong background in higher education research, advanced data analysis skills, and experience leading a team and communicating complex findings. Requirements include extensive experience in a research environment with a focus on higher education.
A minimum of five years of experience with research and data analysis, with at least two years specific to higher education.
At least one year of direct supervisory or management experience.
Experience working with student-level data in an institutional research setting at a college or university.
Experience conducting research using student-level data on behalf of a governmental or non-profit organization.
Formal experience leading projects related to higher education research, data, and policy.
Experience working with large, student-level datasets and a demonstrated ability to manage, analyze, quality check, and document practices related to data effectively.
Ability to synthesize complex research findings into succinct summaries for a variety of stakeholders.
Preferred: Doctoral degree in higher education, public policy, research, or related field with a demonstrated focus on higher education.
Knowledge Of
Current higher education policy trends, research areas, and challenges facing postsecondary students.
Best practices for data analysis in Microsoft Excel to reduce manual errors; ability to train staff accordingly.
Modern quantitative and qualitative methods in a policy or higher education context, including inferential statistics and survey design.
National higher education datasets; data management principles for handling sensitive student-level data.
SQL Server; statistical software such as Stata, SPSS, or R; data visualization and storytelling with Tableau or Power BI.
Abilities
Effective written and verbal communication; ability to present to internal and external audiences on complex research topics.
Accurate portrayal of data and translation of findings for a broad audience; high attention to technical detail.
Establish and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders; quick learner who can prioritize and manage time effectively.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team; mentor staff with diverse backgrounds; manage multiple priorities with flexibility.
Think critically, apply reasoning and analysis, and take initiative to solve problems and innovate; handle sensitive information responsibly.
Supplemental Information Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting) Represents typical requirements to perform essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
Occasional lifting and keyboard use; regular vision and hearing for communication and documentation.
If you require reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact HR at the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
Typical Working Conditions Standard office environment with a 40-hour work week; remote, hybrid, or in-office depending on arrangement. Some responsibilities may require extended hours or travel, including in-state travel with possible overnight stays.
Notice The statements describe the general nature and level of work and are not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity and inclusion. For accommodations or questions, contact HR at the listed address.
#J-18808-Ljbffr