Executive Director of Institutional Planning, Research & Effectiveness

Summary:

This position is responsible for providing leadership and coordination of University planning, institutional effectiveness, outcomes assessment and institutional research functions at Alabama A& M University.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

* Oversee the functions of the Office of Institutional Research and Planning and supervise the office staff.

* Serve as the Senior Analyst and be the primary point of contact for all campus and off-campus constituents requiring data from the university.

* Conduct regular data extraction, management, analysis, interpretation, and communication of results as institutional responses to external and internal queries on a wide range of issues e.g. student admissions and enrollment, employee information, student retention and graduation, financial aid, accreditation bodies, etc.

* Develop and maintain data structures and systems to support institutional reporting.

* Work with university employees to interpret, plan, collect, analyze, and communicate institutional data and other information to a wide variety of constituents throughout the university.

* Lead, develop, implement and coordinate processes for the assessment of student learning outcomes including communication to campus constituencies, assessing academic programs, coordinating student surveys, and the routine and ad hoc reporting of such assessments.

* Work cooperatively with staff, faculty, administrators, and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to advance Alabama A&M University's continuous improvement initiatives.

* Provide leadership in developing the university-wide assessment model and implementing it in academic and operational units.

* Promote a culture of excellence and continuous improvement through assessment of performance and student learning outcomes.

* Coordinate annual assessment data collection, analysis, and reporting.

* Lead the development and implementation of assessment and evaluation activities for institutional-level projects, including the university strategic plan and quality enhancement plan QEP).

* Promote internal and external communication of assessment results to various constituencies, including the regional and other accrediting agencies.

* Support the use of best practices in assessment and robust, realistic and efficient assessments through consultation, mentoring, and hands-on training.

* Ensure compliance with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Colleges (SACSCOC) Comprehensive Standards and applicable policies issued by the Alabama Department of Higher Education.

* Monitor integration of results into continuous improvement activities.

* Plan, design, and maintain longitudinal and predictive trend analyses, reports, and models in support of institutional decision making.

* Work with institutional committees and staff to coordinate work and provide expert advice and guidance, technical assistance, and information.

* Provide consultation and support for colleagues involved in external reporting processes, projects, and decisions.

* Collaborate and communicate regularly with other University offices including the Registrar, Academic Colleges, Graduate and Continuing Studies, and Student Services.

* Train and supervise staff in the Office of Institutional Research.

* Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum

Position Requirements (including years of experience, certifications, licenses, etc.):

* Earned doctorate (or near completion with considerable experience) or other appropriate terminal degree, or its foreign equivalent or its equivalent in training, ability, and/or experience.

* Five to seven years of experience in higher education assessment.

* Relevant full-time experience at a regionally accredited institution.

* Knowledge of assessment methodologies and practices.

* Expertise in statistical software such as SPSS.

* Documented supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Knowledge of diverse groups, experience working with a multicultural workforce, and sensitivity and appreciation of cultural differences

* Strong attention to detail

* Strong and proven understanding of programmatic assessment as it relates to SACS, and HBCU institutional culture

* Strong proficiency in Excel, SPSS or SAS, and knowledge of or ability and willingness to learn Ellucian Banner software, Strategic Planning Online (SPOL) software, and other complex database systems

* Strong customer service orientation

Understanding of Higher Education practices

* Flexibility in working in a team environment

* Willingness to follow directions and adapt to changing mandates established by Institutional leaders

* Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

* Ability to plan and control complex projects, meet deadlines, and balance multiple demands

* Ability to determine appropriate data formats for specific audiences and needs