Director of Research and Planning

Department UPS Institutional Effectiveness & Institutional Research

State Pay Range

State Pay Range G11

USC Market Range

USC Market Range MRI - $69,913 $87,391 $104,870

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range $69,913 - $76,656; Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Location of Vacancy

Location of Vacancy USC Upstate, Spartanburg, SC

Part/Full Time

Part/Full Time Full Time

Hours per Week

Hours per Week 37.5

Work Schedule

Work Schedule Monday – Friday; 8:30am – 5pm; Some evenings and weekends as needed are required.

Basis

Basis 12 months

Job Search Category

Job Search Category Other Professional

About USC

About University of South Carolina From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Dependent Scholarships
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave

Job Summary

Director of Research and Planning

University of South Carolina Upstate

STA00103PO26

Spartanburg, SC

Reports to the Vice Provost and Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and SACSCOC liaison. Manages and directs activities of strategic planning goals and metrics and institutional research. Oversees comprehensive data collection, integrity, analysis, and interpretation of university data for all divisions of the university. Works with the Executive Team and Deans to meet data needs including for strategic planning scorecards and blueprints, external reporting, program reviews, grants, and accreditation. Works closely with university administration, USC Columbia, USC Upstate Information Technology and Data Services, and USC Upstate Institutional Effectiveness and Compliance to streamline data collection processes; improve data quality; and ensure that data collection, reporting, and analysis processes support university priorities. Ensures accuracy of data warehouse and dashboards in collaboration with USC Columbia Division of Information Technology. Analyzes data for patterns and trends, conducts predictive and comparative analyses, and provides projections to inform decisions at the highest levels of the institution. The Director is expected to be visible across campus and to take an active leadership role in discussing institutional data; to meet with units to clarify and refine their data needs and research questions; and to ensure that all data requests are fulfilled with clear summaries, contextual explanations, and interpretive reporting. Recommends changes in institutional planning based on state and federal policies and external trends. Ensures that data reports are informative, accessible, and aligned with university priorities.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications A master’s degree and 2 or more years of job related experience or a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

A successful background check is required. Excellent data management and statistical analysis skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate complex information to end users effectively. Ability to prepare and present information to various groups. Proficiency in excel, statistical programs (e.g., SPSS or SAS ), and student information systems (e.g., Banner).

Job Duties

• Job Duty Managing data reports and recommending changes to strategic planning goals and metrics as articulated on scorecards and blueprints and program review data sheets. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20
• Job Duty Developing and overseeing systems for gathering, streamlining, assuring quality, analyzing, and reporting institutional data necessary for decision making at all levels. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15
• Job Duty Performing a variety of statistical analyses using large, complex data sets including predictive analyses to inform institutional planning and budgeting. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• Job Duty Designing and implementing data analysis and visualization, and self-service data tools, including data interpretation and training as needed. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• Job Duty Leading changes in research and planning initiatives based on system, state, federal, and regional forecasts and trends as well as best practices in research and planning. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• Job Duty Managing the reporting of institutional data to state and federal government entities as required (e.g., SCCHE , IPEDS ) as well as other external agencies (e.g., U.S. News and World Report) and agencies that provide grant opportunities. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• Job Duty Managing institutional data for various accreditation bodies such as SACSCOC , CAEP , CCNE , AACSB , ABET , and other program level bodies. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10
• Job Duty Creating and enforcing university policies and procedures to ensure proper access and use of data across the institution. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5
• Job Duty Creating and serving as the source of university data definitions. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5
• Job Duty Evaluating departmental priorities and objectives, managing the Research and Planning budget, supervising staff, and performing additional duties as needed. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No Hazardous weather category Non-Essential

Job Details

Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Job Open Date 02/24/2026 Job Close Date Open Until Filled Yes