Director of Rankings & Institutional Performance

Grand Canyon Education (GCE) is seeking a highly strategic and detail-oriented Director of Rankings & Institutional Performance to lead and execute a comprehensive rankings strategy in support of Grand Canyon University (GCU). This role is responsible for ensuring GCU is accurately represented and competitively positioned across major higher education rankings and surveys (e.g., U.S. News, Wall Street Journal, Princeton Review, Niche, Times Higher Education, and others). This individual will own the end-to-end rankings process—from data collection and validation to submission and performance tracking—while partnering cross-functionally across GCE and GCU stakeholders to drive continuous improvement in ranking outcomes. The ultimate goal is to elevate GCU in its positions across key categories aligned with institutional strengths, particularly student outcomes, social mobility, and career readiness. Key Responsibilities Rankings Strategy & Ownership Develop and execute a comprehensive rankings strategy aligned with GCU's brand positioning and institutional priorities Identify and prioritize ranking opportunities where GCU can achieve Top 10 or Top 5 placement Maintain a master calendar of all ranking submissions, deadlines, and requirements Data Collection & Cross-Functional Coordination Partner with departments across GCE and GCU—including Institutional Research, Finance, Career Services, Academics, Enrollment, and Student Affairs to gather required data Ensure data integrity, consistency, and alignment across all submissions Establish standardized processes for data collection, documentation, and validation Submission Management Prepare, review, and submit all ranking surveys and data requests accurately and on time on behalf of GCU Manage internal approval workflows across GCE and GCU to ensure data is vetted and approved by appropriate stakeholders Serve as the central point of accountability for all external ranking submissions Performance Tracking & Continuous Improvement Track GCU's rankings performance year-over-year across all major surveys Analyze results to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement Provide actionable insights and recommendations to GCE and GCU leadership to improve ranking outcomes Reputation & Perception Management Collaborate with GCE Marketing, PR, and GCU Academic Leadership to strengthen GCU's reputation among peer institutions and ranking bodies Support initiatives that influence perception-based rankings (e.g., faculty visibility, thought leadership, employer engagement) Reporting & Communication Develop dashboards and reports summarizing GCU rankings performance and trends Present regular updates to GCE and GCU executive leadership on progress toward Top 10 goals Translate complex ranking methodologies into clear, actionable insights for internal stakeholders Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Data Analytics, Higher Education Administration, or related field 5-8+ years of experience in higher education, institutional research, data analytics, marketing strategy, or similar field Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders Exceptional attention to detail and data accuracy Experience working cross-functionally in a complex organization Preferred Experience with higher education rankings or survey submissions (U.S. News, THE, etc.) Familiarity with institutional data systems and reporting frameworks Experience in data analysis, dashboards, and performance metrics Understanding of higher education competitive landscape and rankings methodologies Key Competencies Strategic thinking with strong execution capability Data-driven decision making Cross-functional leadership and influence Process development and operational rigor High accountability and ownership mindset Success Metrics 100% on-time and accurate submission of all targeted rankings on behalf of GCU Year-over-year improvement in targeted ranking categories Achievement of Top 10 or Top 5 placement in prioritized rankings for GCU Increased visibility and recognition of GCU in national rankings Why Join GCE This role offers a unique opportunity to directly shape GCU's national reputation and competitive positioning through GCE's operational leadership. The Director of Rankings & Institutional Performance will play a critical role in elevating GCU's standing, influencing strategic decisions, and driving measurable impact on enrollment and brand perception. Salary and benefits are competitive and aligned with similar roles in higher education and marketing strategy. #

INDLOPESUP

At Grand Canyon Education, it is our privilege to serve students and those who support academic advancement. We lead educational transformation by developing superior ways to help schools grow and prosper. We provide transparent programs, intuitive online learning technologies and well-established academic models that promote student success and institutional growth. Employment is contingent upon the satisfactory outcome (as determined by the university) of pre-employment screening activities, including a background check. For assistance with your job application please use our External Candidate Job Application Guide. All staff candidates will be asked to review GCE's staff expectations as part of the application process. Our partner in education, Grand Canyon University, is Arizona's premier private Christian university. GCU serves traditional and online students by offering quality academic degree programs, experienced leadership and transformative learning experiences both on our growing campus and digitally.