Senior Research Analyst, International Enrolment

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Compensation Range

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Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Senior Research Analyst, International Enrolment within the International Student Initiative (ISI) is responsible for planning, designing, conducting and implementing complex research projects and studies, interpreting results and making formal presentations. The Senior Research Analyst is responsible for providing analysis, advice and strategic recommendations to the university regarding strategic enrolment management of undergraduate international students across the UBC system. Through the use of data analysis, market research, review of peer institutions, process review, and performance benchmarking the Senior Research Analyst, International Enrolment works to support the International Student Initiative's enterprise-wide mandate to meet the Faculties' international enrolment targets in undergraduate programs as well as in select other programs that have been identified as strategic initiatives for the University.

The position requires the ability to solve complex problems, to maintain confidentiality while working with data of a highly sensitive nature, to direct, oversee and co-ordinate the project-related activities of others, to initiate support studies to inform executive-level decisions and to communicate effectively both in speech and in writing.

Organizational Status

The Senior Research Analyst, International Enrolment reports to the International Student Initiative's Executive Director. The incumbent will interact with other ISI leaders, with staff from other departments, senior academic officers including Vice-Presidents, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, Senate Committees, and representatives of other universities, government bodies, and other higher education and university-related organizations.

The Senior Research Analyst works closely with colleagues in Enrolment Services, particularly the Associate Registrar and Director, Undergraduate Admission and Student Recruitment and Advising. The Senior Research Analyst also collaborates with peers on the Planning and Institutional Research team to initiate and participate in joint research initiatives on international undergraduate student enrolment at UBC. The Senior Research Analyst works closely with all members of ISI's Leadership Team as key stakeholders of the research the incumbent conducts in order to move the unit towards its strategic goals.

WORK PERFORMED

• Identifies the need for and leads the planning, designing, development and implementation of analytic reports, and statistical information on a variety of subjects including but not limited to international undergraduate enrolment forecasting, international undergraduate student recruitment, and international undergraduate student financial assistance and awards.

• Responsible for implementing major complex research projects and studies as relates to UBC system-wide international undergraduate student enrolment, interpreting results, and making formal presentations.

• Extract and synthesize highly sensitive data from a variety of university databases, create and maintain computer programs to produce statistical reports, and participate in the revision of databases or the design of new databases.

• Provide quality assurance in all aspects of data analysis, including sampling methods, and provide advice on data collection, data processing, and processes with respect to ensuring data quality.

• Provides expertise in research and analysis to guide and guide the ISI's strategy to fulfill the unit's mandate to meet Faculty's international undergraduate student enrolment targets across the system, at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan.

• Lead consultations with internal leaders to identify their informational needs and make recommendations on the type of data that could be used to support metrics/key performance indicators for the purposes of measuring performance of strategic plans, supporting evidence-based decision making and evaluating programs.

• Leads the analysis of enrolment and other data for purposes of understanding and analyzing enrolment results, trends, and patterns, and makes recommendations that will inform the ISI unit and the university's efforts to improve recruitment effectiveness across each of its markets.

• Serves as a member of the leadership of the International Student Initiative and provides strategic leadership to ISI leadership colleagues as well as other senior members of the university with respect to their information requirements.

• Synthesizes and effectively communicates the results of complex data analysis, whether by statistical summary, oral presentation, the visual display of quantitative information, tabular output, or written description for key stakeholders within the university.

• Leads research projects that guide the Director, International Recruitment, Awards in designing strategies for making best use of ISI SFA funds, to promote yield, recruit talent, and create access for bright and economically disadvantaged international students.

• Leads in the design and development of existing and future data storage systems (e.g. UNI, LFS, Workday Student) as a consultant in order to ensure the design (categorization/hierarchy/preservation) of how data is stored supports efficient and meaningful reporting.

• Researches, collects and analyzes external data. For example, student mobility data as provided through OECD, various governments including Canadian Immigration data patterns, Open Doors data provided by the Institute of International Education, British Council data, and others.

• Identifies opportunities for and undertakes research and benchmarking on other major universities within Canada and around the world, and integrates information to optimize the outcomes of ISI's recruitment and awards tactics.

• Develops complex predictive modelling to anticipate future business risks and outcomes in international undergraduate student enrolment for the university.

• Identifies the need for and leads the design of data analytic projects for purposes of predicting international undergraduate enrolment demands, outlining potential for future market and programs in order to advise the university leadership in this regard.

• Responsible for the management and maintenance of accurate, and meaningful analysis in a timely fashion for use by senior University officers and University policy committees in the planning of University financial requirements and other significant university-wide decisions.

• Provide training and mentoring to more junior staff.

Consequences of Error/Impact of Decisions

The role of Senior Research Analyst, International Enrolment is critical to the achievement of the University's international undergraduate enrolment goals. The university is reliant on accurate and timely analysis in order to facilitate effective and timely decision-making as regards international undergraduate student enrolment. Inability to lead research and analysis in an appropriate and contextual manner could impede the university's ability to achieve its undergraduate international undergraduate enrolment targets and goals.

Tuition fees from undergraduate international students constitute more than 50% of the university's total tuition fee revenue. Inaccurate forecasting of international undergraduate student enrolment, as well as inaccurate analysis of prior years data to inform recruitment strategy could lead to significant and impactful errors in the university's overall financial planning as well as an inability for the university to bring in the revenue it needs to keep operating at a high level. Inability to foster good working relationships with both internal and external partners would result in lost opportunities, and could seriously undermine the University's ability to meet its international student enrolment goals and could damage the unit's and the University's reputation.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Executive Director. This position works with a high degree of independence in support of defined goals. Position is subject to annual performance reviews.

Supervision Given

This position currently has no direct reports, however may supervise, hire, and train other M & P staff, clerical staff, or student workers. May be asked to work with and supervise work of outside consultants on an as-needed basis. May be asked to serve as team lead on group research projects.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of six years' experience working in an environment involving research, analysis and measurement, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Extensive experience in international higher education, preferably specifically in international undergraduate recruitment.

• Demonstrated quantitative and qualitative analytical skills.

• Ability to thrive and adapt to the changing and challenging demands of an innovative unit within a larger university bureaucracy.

• An in-depth knowledge of University policies and procedures, and a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of Institutional Research are essential.

• Ability to anticipate issues related to the learning environment in higher education.

• Effective logical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Experience in strategic planning and implementation and assessment in a complex work environment required. Demonstrated ability to exercise resourcefulness and take initiative but also to work effectively as a member of a team.

• Demonstrated ability in preparing and presenting persuasive presentations.

• Knowledge of management information systems such as UBC's SIS, FMIS, CRM and WorkDay an asset. Proficiency in using UBC's client relationship management system, or experience using similar customer management systems. Strong computer skills and ability to use data for analytical purposes.

• Excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills as well as strong intercultural skills.

• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy to work effectively with all levels of University personnel, with colleagues from partner institutions and governmental officials, as well as relate well to prospective students and their families and counsellors.

• Demonstrated understanding of special student populations, diversity, and experience working with an intersectional EDI lens, inclusive of cultural, lived experiences and identities as well as gendered identities, preferences and expression.

• Ability to exercise discretion.

• Ability to speak a second language desirable.

• Must be a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant in Canada.