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Part Time Institutional Research Data Analyst - Job Opportunity at Houston Christian University

Houston, United States
Part-time
Mid-level
Posted: August 15, 2025
On-site
Based on the part-time nature of this position in Houston's higher education market, the hourly rate likely ranges from $25-35 per hour, translating to approximately $26,000-36,400 annually for a 20-hour work week. This estimate reflects the specialized nature of institutional research work, the technical skills required, and Houston's competitive market for data analysis professionals in the education sector.

Key Responsibilities

Compiles comprehensive data required by multiple external reporting authorities including IPEDS, ICUT, BGCT, THECB, and NCAA, ensuring institutional compliance and maintaining the university's standing with regulatory bodies
Provides strategic information and analytical insights to support critical university initiatives in enrollment management, student retention programs, and compliance requirements for SACS and NCAA accreditation
Generates timely and accurate data responses for ad hoc information requests from both internal stakeholders and external constituents, supporting institutional decision-making processes
Produces high-quality analytical reports, comprehensive studies, executive slide presentations, and interactive data visualizations while developing and maintaining automated dashboards for commonly-requested institutional metrics
Collaborates with the Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness on special projects and performs additional analytical duties that support the university's strategic objectives

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree required, master's degree preferred

Experience

At least one year of SAS programming experience strongly preferred; experience in institutional research preferred, preferably at a private university

Required Skills

High standards of integrity, ethical conduct, and confidentiality Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, etc.) Advanced Excel skills Proven statistical analysis skills Proficiency with a data science programming language such as SAS, SQL, R, Python, etc. Proficiency with SAS Software (Base, Macro, SQL) Familiarity with data visualization tools (Power BI) and reporting automation tools (Argos) preferred Working knowledge of Banner preferred Ability to multi-task with a proven ability to meet deadlines Ability to work both independently and collaboratively Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to convey complex data in an organized and easily understandable manner Familiarity with data privacy laws such as FERPA, GDPR, or other relevant regulations preferred Commitment to customer service

Certifications

SAS Programming certification preferred
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Higher education institutions are increasingly investing in sophisticated data analytics capabilities to drive enrollment strategies and improve student outcomes, with institutional research becoming a critical function for competitive positioning in an increasingly challenging enrollment landscape. There is growing emphasis on data-driven decision making in academia, particularly for compliance with federal reporting requirements and accreditation standards, making institutional research roles essential for maintaining institutional credibility and funding eligibility. The integration of advanced analytics tools and automation in higher education data processing is accelerating, with institutions seeking professionals who can bridge traditional statistical analysis with modern data visualization and dashboard development capabilities.

Role Significance

Based on the description of working as part of a "small team," this position likely operates within a 3-5 person institutional research department, with close collaboration with the Director and potentially 1-2 other analysts or research associates.
This is a mid-level analytical position that requires independent work capability while reporting to senior leadership. The role carries significant responsibility for institutional compliance and strategic data provision, indicating a position that directly impacts university operations and decision-making processes.

Key Projects

Development and maintenance of automated reporting systems for federal and state compliance requirements Creation of enrollment and retention analytics dashboards for senior administration Conducting longitudinal student success studies and predictive modeling for at-risk student identification Supporting accreditation self-studies with comprehensive institutional effectiveness data analysis Building integrated data visualization platforms that transform complex institutional metrics into actionable insights for various stakeholder groups

Success Factors

Mastery of SAS programming and statistical analysis techniques will be crucial for handling the complex data transformations and analytical requirements inherent in institutional research work. Strong attention to detail and understanding of higher education regulations, particularly FERPA compliance and accreditation standards, as errors in institutional reporting can have serious consequences for university funding and accreditation status. Excellent communication skills for translating complex statistical findings into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences ranging from academic administrators to board members who may lack technical backgrounds. Ability to work independently while managing multiple concurrent projects with varying deadlines, as institutional research often involves responding to urgent requests while maintaining ongoing reporting cycles.

Market Demand

Moderate to high demand exists for institutional research professionals as universities face increasing pressure for data-driven decision making, regulatory compliance, and enrollment management. The specialized nature of higher education data analysis creates a niche but stable job market with consistent opportunities across academic institutions.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

SAS programming proficiency is absolutely essential as it's the primary tool for complex data manipulation and analysis in higher education institutional research, with most federal reporting requirements and statistical analyses requiring advanced SAS capabilities Advanced Excel skills combined with statistical analysis expertise form the foundation for daily analytical work, data validation, and preliminary analysis before more sophisticated modeling and reporting Understanding of data privacy regulations, particularly FERPA, is crucial as institutional research involves handling sensitive student data, and violations can result in serious legal and financial consequences for the institution

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of Banner student information systems would provide significant advantage as it's widely used in higher education and understanding its data structure would accelerate productivity and reduce training time Experience with Power BI and data visualization tools is increasingly valuable as institutions seek to democratize data access through interactive dashboards and self-service analytics platforms Familiarity with higher education compliance requirements and accreditation processes would enhance the candidate's strategic value and potential for rapid advancement within institutional research roles

Unique Aspects

The position requires alignment with Christian faith principles, making it suitable for candidates who share these values and want to work in a faith-based educational environment
The role involves working with specialized higher education data systems like Banner and unique reporting requirements for private Christian institutions, providing exposure to niche but valuable technical skills
The temporary, part-time nature offers flexibility while providing substantive experience in institutional research, making it an excellent opportunity for career changers or those seeking to break into higher education analytics

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 2-4 years for advancement to senior analyst positions, with director-level roles achievable within 5-7 years given the specialized nature of higher education institutional research and the growing importance of data-driven decision making in academia.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Institutional Research Analyst with expanded analytical responsibilities and potential oversight of junior staff members Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, leading the department and developing strategic research initiatives Data Analytics Manager in higher education administration, focusing on student success and enrollment management Assessment and Accreditation Specialist, specializing in institutional effectiveness and compliance management

Company Overview

Houston Christian University

Houston Christian University is a private Christian institution that emphasizes faith-based education and maintains specific religious requirements for its employees. The university operates in the competitive Houston higher education market alongside major institutions like Rice University and the University of Houston, positioning itself as a values-based alternative for students seeking Christian higher education.

As a private Christian university, HCU occupies a specialized niche in the Houston education market, focusing on students who prioritize faith-based learning environments. The institution likely faces the typical challenges of private universities including enrollment management, tuition dependency, and competition with larger public institutions for students and resources.
Located in Houston, one of the nation's largest metropolitan areas, the university benefits from access to a diverse population and strong job market, though it competes with numerous other higher education institutions in the region for students, faculty, and staff.
The university explicitly requires employees to share and personify Christian faith principles, indicating a work environment where religious values are integrated into professional responsibilities. This suggests a close-knit, mission-driven workplace culture with emphasis on personal integrity and alignment with institutional values.
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