Edtech.com's Summary

WGU is hiring a Senior Program Experience Researcher to lead qualitative research initiatives that evaluate program effectiveness and student experience. The role involves designing and executing studies, collaborating with analytics teams to integrate quantitative data, and communicating insights to drive program improvements in higher education.

Highlights

Lead design and execution of qualitative research studies including interviews, focus groups, and thematic analysis.
Collaborate with Institutional Analytics and Research teams to align data collection with evaluation goals.
Present findings to stakeholders and develop reports that integrate qualitative and quantitative data.
Evaluate curriculum alignment, student engagement, and barriers to learning in online/hybrid programs.
Drive educational innovation by researching and recommending evidence-based instructional practices.
Manage complex research projects, set priorities, and mentor junior researchers.
Proficiency in qualitative research tools such as NVivo or Dedoose and familiarity with mixed-methods integration.
Master's degree required in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, or related field; Ph.D. preferred.
Five years of relevant experience in educational research or program evaluation, preferably in higher education.
Compensation range: $106,700 to $165,400 with benefits including bonuses, health coverage, retirement plan, and paid leave.

Senior Program Experience Researcher Full Description

Senior Program Experience Researcher

Salt Lake City Office

Full time

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Professional 312Pay Range: $106,700.00 - $165,400.00

Job Description

Primary Responsibilities

Qualitative Research Design & Execution

Leads the design and implementation of qualitative research studies to assess program effectiveness, student experience, and curriculum alignment.
Conducts interviews, focus groups, surveys, and observational studies to collect rich, actionable data.
Develops and refines qualitative research frameworks for both formative and summative program evaluation.
Analyzes qualitative data using established methods (e.g., thematic analysis, coding) to surface insights and patterns.

Data Integration & IAR Collaboration

Identifies Program Development’s quantitative data needs and effectively communicate them to Institutional Analytics and Research (IAR) teams.
Collaborates with IAR analysts to ensure data collection aligns with program evaluation objectives.
Translates IAR’s quantitative findings into complementary qualitative research questions and strategic recommendations.
Socializes and contextualizes IAR findings across Program Development to foster data-informed decision-making.

Insight Sharing & Communication

Presents research findings to stakeholders, including department leadership, academic teams, and cross-functional partners.
Develops reports and visualizations that integrate qualitative and quantitative data for actionable insights.
Builds research literacy across Program Development through workshops, presentations, and mentorship.
Creates narratives and visual presentations to effectively communicate student experience trends and program impact.

Strategic Program Evaluation

Evaluates the effectiveness of educational programs using qualitative data and feedback.
Assesses alignment between curriculum design and actual student experience.
Identifies barriers to learning, engagement, and progression through direct student and stakeholder input.
Studies and reports on emerging instructional practices and their impact on student outcomes.

Educational Innovation & Research Leadership

Leads research into innovative educational methodologies, tools, and technologies in online/hybrid environments.
Studies and recommends evidence-based practices to enhance learning, engagement, and assessment.
Guides program teams in implementing improvements based on research findings.
Champions the role of qualitative research in driving continuous program improvement and strategic planning.

Project Leadership & Mentorship

Oversees end-to-end management of complex research projects, including scoping, timelines, resource allocation, and deliverables.
Sets research priorities in alignment with Program Development goals and institutional strategy.
Provides mentorship and guidance to junior researchers, fostering development in qualitative methods and research communication.
Serves as a subject matter expert and advocate for qualitative research within Program Development and across the university.

This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Advanced knowledge of qualitative research design and methodology, particularly in higher education settings.
Expertise in conducting and analyzing interviews, focus groups, observational studies, and thematic analysis.
Strong understanding of curriculum evaluation, instructional design, and student success frameworks.
Ability to contextualize and translate quantitative data from Institutional Analytics & Research (IAR) into qualitative inquiries and strategic recommendations.
Familiarity with program evaluation models and continuous improvement processes.
Deep understanding of student development theory, learner engagement strategies, and barriers to progression in online or hybrid programs.
Awareness of ethical standards and regulatory requirements governing educational research.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex research into actionable insights for diverse audiences.
Proficiency in qualitative research tools (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose, or similar platforms); familiarity with mixed-methods integration.
Ability to lead projects independently, prioritize research efforts, and mentor junior team members.
Skilled in cross-functional collaboration with academic leadership, instructional design teams, faculty, and data analysts.
Strategic thinking with the ability to identify emerging trends, research opportunities, and data-informed improvements.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and learner-centered research practices.

Education

Master’s degree in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, or a related field required

Experience

5 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 3+ years with a master’s degree, or a doctoral degree without additional experience.
5 years of experience in program evaluation, educational research, or a related field, preferably within higher education.
Demonstrated expertise in qualitative research design, execution, and analysis.
Experience working with cross-functional teams and translating research findings into operational or strategic improvements.
Familiarity with program evaluation frameworks, curriculum design, and student-success research in online or hybrid education environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. in Education, Research Methods, Psychology, Social Sciences, or a related field.
Experience developing or evaluating online educational programs and instructional design approaches.
Certification or formal training in program evaluation, assessment, or accreditation processes.
Familiarity with learning analytics, student success metrics, and LMS platforms.
Proficiency in additional research or data tools (e.g., Tableau, Python, SQL).
Record of scholarly activity through publications, presentations, or professional association involvement.
Experience implementing quality assurance or continuous improvement initiatives in academic settings.
Demonstrated ability to support inclusive, student-centered program development through research and analysis.

Position & Application Details
Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.

Original Job Description