Job Details
Job Description
The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) is a registered private higher education provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of ADvTECH Ltd, listed on the JSE.
The IIE’s Central Academic Team (CAT) is the custodian of academic quality, educational technology, and governance across the institution. It leads academic strategy, compliance, and operational integrity through robust governance structures.
The current CAT is in the process of being repositioned as a Centre of Excellence, a hub for academic innovation, staff capacity building, quality assurance, and governance across both the schools and tertiary divisions.
As we reposition CAT, we are excited to invite applications for the role of Head: Institutional Research. Based at The IIE’s head office in Sandton, this role will support the Research department.
The purpose of the job:
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Institutional Research to lead our institutional research portfolio and drive data-informed decision-making across the organization. This strategic leadership role will deliver high-quality data analysis and research insights that guide institutional strategy, academic planning, and operational excellence.
The successful candidate will integrate internal data, external trends, and policy shifts to support evidence-based management and institutional effectiveness, serving as a key partner to executive leadership and academic stakeholders.
Reporting to:
The successful candidate will report to the Executive: Research
Main Outputs and Responsibilities for this Position:
Institutional Research Strategy and Execution
- Design and lead institutional research strategy and plans aligned with CAT and broader institutional priorities
- Identify data needs across academic and administrative units and develop response strategies
- Scope integrated institutional dashboards and performance monitoring tools
- Support evidence-based policy and planning across the institution
- Contribute to regulatory submissions and strategic reporting
- Conduct internal research focusing on enrolment patterns, admissions, and staff workloads
- Monitor graduate employability, student success, retention, and progression
- Develop predictive models for institutional planning
- Ensure the integrity and accuracy of data sources used for decision-making
- Guide data collection, analysis, and interpretation standards
- Scan the education environment for relevant shifts and trends
- Analyse trends in national results (e.g., matric outcomes) and sector reports
- Conduct benchmarking studies against peer institutions
- Translate emerging issues into actionable institutional insight
- Provide foresight on academic and operational risks
- Prepare and deliver research findings to Leadership, Senate, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Create accessible reports and visualisations for diverse audiences
- Facilitate data-driven workshops with academic and support staff
- Respond to ad hoc data requests from internal stakeholders
- Promote data-informed decision-making across all units
Qualification
- Minimum of a Master’s Degree
- Ideal: PhD
Experience:
- Minimum of 3 years as an Institutional Research/Data Analytics
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in a Higher Education Research Environment
Competencies:
Technical Skills
- Institutional Research Design
- Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis
- Strategic Planning Support
- Data Visualisation and Interpretation
- Communication of Research Insights
- Policy and Trend Analysis
Behavioural Attributes
- Analytical Thinking
- Strategic Awareness
- Communication Effectiveness
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Initiative
What We Offer
- Opportunity to shape institutional strategy through data-driven insights
- Collaborative and innovative organizational culture
- Professional development and growth opportunities
- Competitive compensation package
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
- Comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV)
- Cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation
ADVTECH Group is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from designated groups.
