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Senior Research and Data Analyst, Institutional Research

Red Deer Polytechnic
Red Deer, AB

Job details

Full-time

Benefits

Extended health care
Dental care

Skills

Statistical software
Cognos
Power BI
Azure
Business intelligence
R
Research
Microsoft Office
Databases
Qualtrics
SQL
Statistical analysis
Bachelor's
Ellucian
Business
SPSS
Communication skills
Python
Analytics

Full job description

Position Information

Position Title

Senior Research and Data Analyst, Institutional Research

Position Summary

The Senior Research and Data Analyst is responsible for leading complex institutional research, analytics, and reporting activities that support planning, accountability, and decision‑making across the Polytechnic. The role applies advanced professional knowledge and judgment to design and execute research and analytical work, interpret complex and ambiguous data, and provide evidence‑based advice to senior leadership. The Senior Research and Data Analyst serves a strategic and technical role in advancing data-informed decision-making at RDP.

The position contributes to the effectiveness of institutional programs, services, and operations through the development and application of advanced analytical methods and enterprise‑level data solutions. By translating complex data into actionable insights, the data analyst supports Institutional planning, strategic enrolment management, revenue generation, and operational effectiveness. The role also leads cross-departmental consultations, advises on data definitions and policy implications, and delivers training on data tools and literacy to support organization-wide data literacy.

The role also leads the implementation of data governance practices and serves as a Data Steward, ensuring the quality, consistency, and appropriate use of institutional data in alignment with established policies and frameworks.

Position Responsibilities

Advanced Research, Analysis and Interpretation

Designs and leads complex research and analytical projects addressing novel and non‑routine institutional questions.
Applies advanced statistical, exploratory, and predictive analytical techniques.
Interprets incomplete, conflicting, or ambiguous data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
Synthesizes findings into defensible analyses and recommendations that inform planning, funding, and performance evaluation.
Establishes and applies appropriate metrics for program review, service review, and institutional performance monitoring.

Strategic Reporting and Decision Making

Leads the development and design of high‑impact institutional reports, dashboards, and analytical products to support evidence-informed decision making.
Ensures accuracy, reliability, and methodological transparency of data used for external reporting, funding, and accountability purposes.
Documents analytical assumptions, methodologies, and limitations for senior review.
Presents and explains findings to senior leadership, committees, and institutional stakeholders.
Collaborates with other departments across the institution to support internal and external data analytics and reporting.
Designs and leads complex, exploratory analytical projects to address novel institutional questions, developing and applying appropriate statistical methods.
Prepares and validates data for mandatory government reporting, funding applications, and accreditation requirements.

Enterprise Data Systems, Analytics, and Data Governance

Provides senior‑level analytical and technical leadership in the design, testing, and optimization of enterprise data environments (e.g., data warehouse, lakehouse, analytics platforms).
Collaborates with IT and data engineering resources to develop and maintain data models, pipelines, and reporting structures.
Acts as a subject‑matter expert and steward for institutional analytics tools and environments.
Evaluates and pilots emerging analytical tools and methodologies to improve institutional analytics capability.
Troubleshoots and implements enhancements in data and reporting systems.
Manages specific Student Information System tables and forms required for internal and external reporting.
Provides leadership in identifying data integrity issues and proposing solutions and corrections.
Ensure ongoing data validation, quality assurance, and error resolution across enterprise data systems.

Institutional Research Design and Leadership

Leads institution‑wide research initiatives that address complex, emerging questions related to learner pathways, program outcomes, organizational performance, and strategic priorities.
Establishes the research approach and methodological direction for high‑impact studies, selecting and adapting appropriate quantitative, qualitative, or mixed‑method techniques where standard approaches are insufficient.
Oversees the development of custom evaluative and investigative tools, including original survey frameworks and research instruments, to generate evidence aligned with institutional decision‑making needs.
Integrates findings from primary research, administrative data, and environmental analysis to produce well‑substantiated insights and strategic considerations for senior leaders and governance bodies.
Applies and interprets legislative, ethical, and governance requirements related to research activity, ensuring institutional research practices meet professional and regulatory standards.
Provides expert advice on institutional research practices, offering methodological guidance and quality assurance for research activities undertaken by analysts, collaborators, or project teams.

Leadership, Advisory, and Project Coordination

Acts as a specialist advisor to departments and leadership on research design, analytics methodology, and interpretation of data.
Leads cross‑departmental research and analytics initiatives and working groups.
Provides functional leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to analysts, power users, and project staff.
Coordinates and oversees work associated with complex, multi‑stakeholder projects, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and outcomes are met.

Training and Development

Trains faculty and staff on the use of dashboards and visualizations.
Provides support to power users of the dashboards and visualizations.
Establishes strategic internal customer relationships and become the technical go-to resource for answers about dashboards.

Required Qualifications

Four (4) year undergraduate degree, or three (3) year undergraduate degree plus one full additional year of university in a related program representing four years of study or equivalent.
Business Intelligence and Analytics Certification.
Minimum 3 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge and understanding of integrated information systems, with preference to student information systems including Banner and external systems such as Power BI, MS Azure, ATOMS, MTS, DCAR and APAS
Proficiency in MS office and reporting software (Cognos, Power BI)
Experience using Statistical Software (e.g. SPSS) and employing advanced analytics methods
Experience analyzing, interpreting, and reporting statistical information including advanced knowledge of research methods, statistical analysis, and institutional analytics.
Proficiency in SQL for querying databases and optimizing data retrieval processes.
Proficiency in DAX and M languages to create and customize Power BI reports and data models.
Experience in Python or R for data manipulation, analysis, automation, and advanced reporting.
Experience with survey software (e.g. Qualtrics, Explorance Blue)
In-depth knowledge of privacy legislation, data governance principles, and ethical research standards
Experience coordinating and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams across technical and non-technical departments.
Experience in a post-secondary environment or comparable complex organizational setting is preferred.
Excellent communication skills (oral and written), with the ability to engage effectively and professionally with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Salary or Hourly?

Salary

Salary

$87,273 to $102,097 Annually

Benefits and Compensation Information

Red Deer Polytechnic offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental care through Blue Cross, access to a health spending account, pension plan, Employee & Family Assistance Program, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and opportunities for professional development funding. Additional time off due to Institution closures between Christmas and New Year general holidays.

Eligibility to access the above mentioned benefits is dependent upon the AUPE Collective Agreement and related RDP policies.

About Red Deer Polytechnic

Focused on advancing the economic and social priorities of Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) provides more than 100 industry-relevant credit and non-credit programs to approximately 11,000 credit, non-credit and apprenticeship students. With modern teaching and learning spaces, and state-of-the-art research and innovation centres, RDP provides education and applied research opportunities in partnership with industry and communities.

Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.

Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our polytechnic community.

Posting Detail Information

Competition Number

2026-A-077

Employment Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Vacancies

Desired Start Date

07/02/2026

Position End Date (if term-certain)

FTE

1.0

Hours of Work

Open Date

05/26/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Note to Applicant

Red Deer Polytechnic fosters an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can bring their full selves and share their unique talents. We are committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of our diverse community.

At RDP, we are committed to a merit-based hiring process, and we believe in an inclusive workplace that is fair, equitable, supportive, welcoming and respectful. We recognize, value, and leverage differences in identities, abilities, background, cultures, skills, experiences, and perspectives. Our practices are guided by the principles of the Alberta Human Rights Act and support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. If you believe you have the skills and equivalent experience and potential to contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply

Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected].

Special Instructions to Applicants

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Resume

Optional Documents

References Names and Contact Information

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