Senior Research Analyst

Job Summary

The Planning, Analytics, and Institutional Research Office (PAIR) provides leadership and direction to enhance the coordination of institutional data and analysis across the UBC system, providing optimal support to UBC executive, Faculties, staff, government and to external partners. The PAIR office leverages data and analytics to guide university-wide planning and decision-making, to support integrated university planning, to strengthen student learning and experiences, and to promote a deeper understanding of the nature and quality of education at UBC.

Under the direction of the Research & Analytics Leads and the Associate Directors, the Senior Research Analyst performs advanced-level statistical and analytical work to support the strategic priorities of the PAIR team. This will be accomplished by providing statistical analyses, developing predictive models, and creating reporting tools to support strategic planning and inform decision-making. The position will analyze reporting needs, extract data from diverse sources, research and analyze complex datasets, ensure data integrity, develop scorecards and dashboards, analyze performance and capacity metrics, and conduct needs assessments. This role is essential for delivering data-driven insights and advanced analytical support that informs strategic decision-making and institutional planning.

The Senior Research Analyst will lead and support a variety of institutional research functions and high-complexity projects concerning student enrolment, institutional activity, surveys, and data exchanges for the University. The analyst is responsible for planning, designing, conducting, and implementing major complex research projects, interpreting results, and making formal presentations. The analyst also liaises with external stakeholders, including senior representatives from the Ministry and peer institutions’ Institutional Research department leads regarding institutional projects. Assignments will include designing and analyzing surveys, modeling, enrolment forecasting, multi-year planning, and initiating support studies to inform executive-level decisions. The position requires expertise in problem-solving, handling highly sensitive data, coordinating activities across teams, and communicating effectively both orally and in writing. The Senior Research Analyst will actively demonstrate the PAIR team’s commitment to service, quality, integrity, and collaboration, fostering a culture of excellence in data analysis and reporting.

Organizational Status

This position has a functional reporting line to the Research & Analytics Lead, while engaging in collaborative, project-specific reporting and responsibilities as defined by the Research & Analytics Lead(s) and Associate Directors. This position operates within a project-based matrix structure. Under the direction of the Research & Analytics Lead, the Senior Research Analyst will participate in a variety of projects as part of a team of analysts and work independently.

This position interacts with other office staff, with staff from other departments, faculty, senior academic officers including Vice-presidents, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, Senate Committees, and representatives of other universities, units within the provincial government reporting teams, representatives of the Research University Council of BC, U15 Data Exchange, and other higher education and university-related organizations.

Work Performed

• Provide expert advice and deliver accurate, meaningful information for use by senior administrative and academic officers and committees to support policy formulation, strategic decision-making, and issue resolution.
• Identify key research and evaluation needs and lead the design, development, and implementation of analytic reports and statistical information on various subjects, including enrolment forecasting, benchmarking, performance indicators, tuition modeling, department profiles, and inter-university comparisons.
• Lead the implementation of research projects, including designing project elements, selecting research methodology, ethical considerations, interpreting results, and preparing and delivering formal presentations.
• Consult with internal clients to identify information requirements, recommend appropriate metrics/key performance indicators, and develop solutions for evaluating programs and measuring performance of strategic plans.
• Liaise with external stakeholders, including Ministry representatives and peer institutions, regarding institutional projects and data-sharing initiatives.
• Extract and synthesize sensitive data from multiple databases, develop computer programs for statistical reporting, and contribute to database revisions or designs.
• Provides second tier support, troubleshoots issues and coordinates resolutions deployment with other technical staff, including report enhancements and data model extensions.
• Initiate projects, establish timelines, validate results, and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Ensure quality assurance across all data analysis processes, including sampling methods, data collection, and data processing, and provide recommendations to improve data quality.
• Perform advanced statistical analysis using programming languages and communicate results through statistical summaries, visualizations, tables, and written descriptions.
• Provide mentoring/peer coaching for team members based on knowledge and expertise, fostering professional growth and ensuring consistency in data analysis methodologies.
• Manage and maintain comprehensive, accurate analysis and reporting to support university-wide financial planning and other critical decisions.
• Prepare reports and analyses for submission to government agencies and other external bodies.
• Provides reports and analyses for CIRO for strategic projects as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Senior Research Analyst, given initial parameters, is expected to independently plan and execute projects, obtain data, and conduct analyses with minimal supervision. Outputs are reviewed by Research & Analytics Leads and/or Associate Directors and inform key policy, planning, and resource allocation decisions. Errors in design, interpretation, or analysis could result in poor administrative decisions, resource misallocation, and reputational harm to the University and its leadership. The incumbent’s work must reflect high standards of accuracy, judgment, and confidentiality.

Supervision Received

This position works with significant autonomy, under the direction of the Research & Analytics Lead(s) and general guidance of the Associate Directors. The incumbent is expected to show considerable initiative in managing their assigned projects and resolving complex issues.

Supervision Given

The Senior Research Analyst leads project teams, provides direction to Research Analysts, Data & Reporting Analysts, and student employees, and ensures the quality and timeliness of project outputs. The incumbent also mentors less experienced staff and contributes to team capacity-building.

Minimum Qualifications

Post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of six years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree with a focus on social science research or quantitative analysis preferred. Minimum of five years’ experience in research, analysis, and measurement, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage large datasets and perform complex statistical analyses. Proficiency in advanced statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS, SAS, STATA) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau). Knowledge of SQL, relational databases, and survey deployment tools (e.g., Qualtrics) is an asset. Experience with institutional research, including survey design, enrolment forecasting, and program evaluation. Proven leadership skills in project management, survey research, and stakeholder collaboration. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex ideas and statistics in accessible ways. Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of research and analysis. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and within cross-functional projects.