Market Research and Policy Lead

Competition 1345

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Administrative and Professional Officer Agreement, this full-time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package found on our Benefits Overview page and an annual salary range of $71,557 to $119,269.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at North Campus Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for Enrolment Research, Analytics and Insights 

Enrolment Research, Analytics and Insights (ERAI) unit at the Registrar's Office is responsible for operational data reporting and fowrard-looking research on a averiety of topics related to university enrolment. The unit collaborates with stakeholder groups to deliver high quality of data products and strategic insights to support senior leadership in evidence-informed decision-making. 

Position 

Under the overall direction of the Assistant Registrar, Enrolment Research, Analytics (ERAI) and Insights, the lead is a key member of the ERAI unit. The position requires a high degree of independent, detail orientation, communication skills, and expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research & analysis. The lead role has a focus on international enrolment and related marketing & policy research and data analysis. The work involves supporting leadership in developing strategic plans and policies through comprehensive research and advanced data analytics, initiating research studies that align with unit, department, and institutional strategies, providing expert advice and recommendations on key marketing and policy questions, and collaborating with peers to create impact on international enrolment.

Duties 

Insights and leadership support

• Supports the identification, development and communication of strategic plans for market research and policy studies that support University's strategic enrolment management and enrolment growth planning, with a primary focus on international enrolment.
• Actively engages in University/stakeholder conversations concerning international enrolment to gain a fuller organizational awareness.
• Provides insights to develop and initiate market research and policy studies that are informed by or contribute to ERAI's advanced data analytics.
• Uses outcomes of market research and policy studies to contribute to leadership conversations and influence directions or decision-making.
• Provides subject area knowledge and technical support and guidance to other analysts at ERAI regarding international market and policies.
• Supervises professional projects  (work of this position may inform side projects or subsequent projects that will be conducted or supported by other unit Analysts, these side or subsequent projects are most likely to be data initiatives and advanced analytics) and takes accountability of the entire process.

Market Research and Policy expert

• Carries out the necessary analysis to develop accurate, comprehensive, and timely answers about broad enrolment market or policy issues. To be developed proactively or in response to questions, and prepares effective presentations to relate the information.
• Leads the development of expert enrolment advice and recommendations for the University through comprehensive market research and policy studies, with a focus on international enrolment.
• Responds to regular, comprehensive, or ad hoc market and policy conversations and develops research solutions. These questions may include but are not limited to market and demographic trends, tuition rates, economic impact, program creation, enrolment policies and sustainability of processes.
• Conducts reviews and necessary interpretations on the outcomes of ERAI's research, machine learning modeling, and methodologies and synthesizes complex information into meaningful insights that relates to international enrolment.
• Develops an annual publication of environmental scan on international enrolment as well as supporting studies and summarizes valuable insights to senior leadership.
• Collaborates with ERAI's Analysts to support their research and advanced analytics related to international enrolment and prediction.
• Engages in continuous learning and professional development to stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in market research and policy studies on international enrolment.

Relationship management

• Consults and collaborates with stakeholders to develop research solutions to answer market and policy-related questions about international enrolment.
• Promotes market research, policy studies, and related analytics to other departments/units and faculties to establish team branding.
• Supports the establishment of strong relationships with stakeholders, gaining buy-in for initiatives and fostering collaboration across departments/units and faculties.
• Makes an effort to establish a research network with the government, other institutions, and the analytical industry to share outcomes, ideas, and resources on international enrolment

Qualifications

• A post-secondary degree from a recognized institution in Social Sciences, Political Science, Economics, Business, Statistics, or a related discipline. Bachelor's  degree or equivalent is required, Master/PhD degree is an asset, equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in progressively responsible roles within market or policy research, project management, business intelligence and corporate reporting.
• 3+ years of experience in leading comprehensive research projects that involve data analytics.
• Understand both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and be able to use and interpret outcomes of advanced data analytics and statistical modeling.
• A proven record of successfully managing complex projects, and delivering impactful business outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of program analysis and evaluation techniques to assess the effectiveness of policies and to evaluate their impact on related policy and planning.
• Strong knowledge of government and University policies on international enrolment.
• Experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams and senior leadership to translate business needs into strategies and initiatives.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influence decision-making.
• Have extensive experience in business analysis and problem-solving to transform complex business problems into conceptualized research questions and then into data-driving solutions.

Interviews are expected to take place in mid-to-late October.