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:

To lead the institutional research portfolio by delivering high-quality data analysis and research insights that guide institutional strategy, academic planning, and operational decision-making. The role integrates internal data, external trends, and policy shifts to support evidence-based management and institutional effectiveness.

Reporting to:

The candidate will report to the

Head Institutional Research

KPA / 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
Analytical Intelligence and Data ManagementConduct 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
Environmental Scanning and Sector Intelligence

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

Insight Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

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 PhD--Advantageous

Experience:

Minimum of 3 years as a Institutional Research/Data Analytics Minimum of 3 years of experience in a Higher Education Research Environment

Competencies:

Institutional Research Design Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis Strategic Planning Support Data Visualisation and Interpretation Communication of Research Insights Policy and Trend Analysis Analytical Thinking Strategic Awareness Communication Effectiveness Collaboration Integrity Initiative

Other Special Requirements:

Occasional travel between campuses or the central office may be required. Must work extended hours during peak academic calendar/scheduling periods. * High tolerance for structured, process-driven work.