Chief Data and Research Officer

To apply submit Resume and Cover Letter to RIOPC at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

• Strategic Leadership & Integration:
  Coordinate and lead centralized data and research services at RIOPC, develop and execute strategic plans that align data efforts with statewide goals in equity, workforce alignment, and student success. Serve as a key advisor to the commissioner and institutional leadership on data strategy, analytics, and research priorities.
• Data Infrastructure & Governance:
  Oversee the development and maintenance of shared data warehousing infrastructure, ensuring security, scalability, and efficiency. In partnership with institutional stakeholders, the RILDS Center, and its committees lead data governance efforts, ensuring compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and other privacy regulations. Manage data‑sharing agreements, metadata standards, and protocols for data access, transfer, and release.
• Research & Analytics Coordination:
  Lead and coordinate research efforts across RI’s public higher education institutions ensuring that institutional research at CCRI and RIC is strategically aligned with statewide goals and supported by shared infrastructure, tools, and expertise. Supervise cross‑institutional research initiatives that leverage linked K–12, postsecondary, and workforce data to generate insights into student pathways and workforce outcomes. Guide the development of dashboards, reports, and analyses that support institutional planning, accreditation, and performance improvement.
  
  Promote the use of advanced analytics tools (e.g., R, AWS, Power BI, Tableau) and best practices in data visualization, methodology, and longitudinal analysis.
• Operational Management:
  Coordinate staffing, budgeting, and resource allocation across RILDS and institutional research teams. Facilitate shared software licensing and procurement to reduce costs and improve access to analytic tools. Oversee project timelines, deliverables, and quality assurance across all data and research functions.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:
  Cultivate partnerships with state agencies, research institutions, and community organizations. Represent RIOPC and RILDS at local, regional, and national convenings. Communicate complex data insights to diverse audiences, including policymakers, institutional leaders, and the public.

Required

• Master’s degree in public policy, education, sociology, economics, statistics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience in data systems, institutional research, or analytics.
• Demonstrated experience managing integrated or longitudinal datasets and leading cross‑sector research initiatives.
• Strong understanding of data governance, privacy regulations, and compliance frameworks.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., R, Power BI, Tableau, AWS).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred

• Familiarity with RI’s education and workforce policy landscape.
• Experience in higher education institutional research and accreditation processes.
• Evidence of successful grant writing, fundraising, or business development.
• Understanding of IT systems and infrastructure (technical background not required).

The Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner is the administrative and research arm of the Council on Postsecondary Education. The Council on Postsecondary Education is an independent public corporation vested with the responsibility of providing oversight for the system of public higher education in Rhode Island. This system presently consists of two public institutions of higher learning, Rhode Island College (RIC) and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), along with the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner.

The Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, which operates under the direction of the Commissioner of Postsecondary Education, is staffed by education professionals. OPC serves as the definitive resource for information on and the interpretation of Council on Postsecondary Education policy for public higher education and the postsecondary institutions in Rhode Island that are under the authority of the Council on Postsecondary Education.

OPC looks for shared opportunities to advance the objectives of postsecondary education with the public and independent institutions.

This is a non-union, non-classified, full-time position with a pay grade of 16 and standard RIOPC state benefits.

Application Due Date:

Job

Start Date:

City: Providence

State/Province/Region: RI

Institution: RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner

Staff # Reporting to Position: 5

Reports In Office: RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner