Senior Director of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness

Position Information: Posting NumberSF2583PPosition TitleSenior Director of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness Position Type Professional/Salaried DepartmentInstitutional Research Planning and Effectiveness - Troy DivisionFinance and Administration CampusTroyWork StatusFull-Time (FT) Temporary NoLocationTroy - T01Job Summary The Director of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness position typically oversees institutional effectiveness, assessment, accreditation, and data-driven decision-making across the university. The core responsibilities are:1. Institutional Effectiveness & Assessment Develop and maintain the institution's comprehensive effectiveness framework Coordinate assessment of student learning outcomes (SLOs) across all academic programs Oversee program-level assessment plans and results Aggregate assessment data and report findings to leadership and accreditors Help faculty and departments use assessment results for continuous improvement Ensure alignment between institutional mission, goals, and assessment activities2. Accreditation & Compliance Serve as liaison to regional and specialized accreditors Prepare self-study reports and accreditation documentation Coordinate institutional response to accreditation recommendations Track compliance with accreditation standards Manage accreditation timelines and evidence collection Prepare for accreditation visits3. Strategic Planning Develop and maintain the institution's strategic plan Align strategic goals with mission and accreditation standards Coordinate strategic planning process with all stakeholders Monitor progress on strategic initiatives Publish annual strategic plan updates and progress reports Connect strategic goals to budget and resource allocation4. Institutional Research & Analytics Collect, analyze, and report institutional data Produce regular dashboards and reports (enrollment, retention, graduation, demographics, financial, etc.)Conduct ad hoc research and analysis for decision-makers Maintain data integrity and institutional databases Benchmark against peer institutions Publish fact books and data summaries5. Program Review & Evaluation Develop and oversee program review process (academic and administrative) Coordinate annual or periodic reviews of all programs Ensure reviews include student learning outcomes, enrollment, retention, costs Help programs develop improvement plans based on review findings Track implementation of improvement recommendations Report program review results to leadership6. Learning Outcomes & Curriculum Alignment Develop institution-wide general education learning outcomes Map program-level outcomes to institutional outcomes Coordinate assessment of general education across disciplines Work with faculty on outcomes development and rubric creation Help departments document student achievement of learning outcomes Use outcome data to inform curriculum improvements7. Data & Reporting Systems Oversee institutional data warehouse or systems Ensure accurate, timely data collection and reporting Provide training on data tools and dashboards Maintain institutional research databases Coordinate with IT on data systems and security Publish regular reports (enrollment, retention, graduation, demographics, etc.)8. Stakeholder Communication Present data and findings to Board of Trustees Brief senior leadership on institutional performance Support department chairs with assessment and program review Communicate effectiveness results to faculty and staff Respond to data requests from various departments Publish annual effectiveness reports9. Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) Identify trends and areas for improvement Support departments in implementing evidence-based changes Track whether improvement initiatives are working Conduct surveys (student satisfaction, employee engagement, etc.)Use data to support institutional decision-making10. Budget & Resource Alignment Analyze resource allocation in relation to outcomes Support evidence-based budgeting Help justify resource requests with assessment data Track ROI on institutional investments Coordinate with CFO on budget decisions informed by effectiveness data11. Staff Leadership & Team Management Supervise IR/Assessment staff Manage IRPE office budget and operations Provide professional development for team Coordinate with other departments (Registrar, Admissions, Finance, etc.)Build collaborative relationships across campus12. Professional Development & Best Practices Stay current on institutional effectiveness trends and standards Attend professional conferences (AIR, ACUHO, regional associations) Share best practices with peers Implement new assessment methods and tools Mentor faculty and staff on assessment design Key Competencies for the Director Data analysis and interpretation Strong writing and presentation skills Leadership and collaboration Knowledge of accreditation standards Project management Educational assessment expertise Strategic thinking Attention to detail

Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree from an accredited university in a field requiring extensive use of statistics (e.g., statistics, data science, research methods, social science research, or related field).Minimum of five to seven years of experience managing a technical team operating under institutional policy and accreditation requirements. Demonstrated expertise in statistical analysis, data management, and relevant technologies. Knowledge of database administration, data collection, and data governance practices. Knowledge of survey instrument design, survey software, and data analysis methods and tools. Knowledge of SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation and ACHE rules and regulations. Strong project and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively. Strong interpersonal and team-building skills. Ability to interpret technical specifications and instructions and provide sound evaluations. Ability to work independently, exercising judgment on confidential and complex matters with minimal supervision. Ability to bring creative, innovative solutions to problems with a commitment to teamwork and service. Ability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally in an official University capacity. Preferred