Director of Institutional Effectiveness

Purpose

The Director of Institutional Effectiveness provides institution-wide leadership for assessment, program review, continuous improvement, and strategic planning. This role serves as a key analytical and strategic partner to senior leadership, advancing evidence-based decision making, institutional effectiveness, and long-term strategy in alignment with the mission and vision of Life University and accreditation expectations. This position leads institutional frameworks for assessment and planning while collaborating closely with academic and administrative units to ensure that data, outcomes, and analysis meaningfully inform improvement, investment, and accountability. The position ensures that all university operations align with the institutional effectiveness standards mandated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Director will provide essential support and guidance to university personnel promoting a culture of continuous improvement and academic excellence.

Essential Job Functions

• Assessment and Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing and enhancing institutional effectiveness processes and practices. Lead the design, implementation, and refinement of institutional assessment systems aligned with mission, strategic goals, and accreditation standards. Collaborate with and support academic, administrative, and educational support units in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, and outcome assessment procedures to promote continuous improvement.
• Program Review: Oversee the institutional program review framework, including timelines, templates, evidence standards, and feedback processes. Partner with academic leaders to evaluate program quality, viability, student outcomes, and strategic alignment. Synthesize findings into executive and Board ready summaries with clear recommendations.
• Strategic Planning: Contribute to the university’s strategic planning efforts by providing data and analysis to support the development and evaluation of strategic initiatives. Support senior leadership in translating strategic priorities into measurable initiatives and accountability structures. Integrate assessment and program review results to inform strategic priorities and resource allocation.
• Accreditation and Institutional Planning Support: Assist in coordination efforts for preparing accreditation documentation, ensuring compliance with SACSCOC standards and other accrediting bodies. Coordinate institution-wide data and narratives demonstrating effectiveness, compliance, and mission alignment. Ensure accreditation activities are embedded within ongoing assessment and planning cycles.
• Initiative Oversight: Oversee the comprehensive planning, implementation, integration, and evaluation of institutional effectiveness initiatives, including the management of relevant software, for both academic and administrative/educational support units, adhering to the Institutional Effectiveness and Continuous Improvement Cycle (CIC) processes.
• Data Management: Identify, collect, analyze, and organize institutional effectiveness data to provide accurate and timely information that informs the evaluation of institutional effectiveness and supports overall planning and decision-making processes. Develop reports and analyses that support executive decision making, Board communication, and institutional transparency. Ensure consistent definitions, data integrity, and clear interpretation of institutional metrics.
• Leadership and Training: Provide leadership, training, and support to faculty and staff on matters related to institutional effectiveness, assessment, programmatic reviews, and accreditation.
• Collaboration and Governance: Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Finance, Enrollment, and other units to support integrated planning and assessment. Coordinate with the Executive Advisor for Strategic Priorities to align strategic initiatives and Board driven initiatives with presidential priorities and governance processes.
• Benchmarking and Best Practices: Research and implement best practices in institutional effectiveness and assessment, benchmarking the university’s performance against peer institutions.
• Confidential Data Handling: Handle confidential data with the utmost integrity and ensure compliance with FERPA and other applicable laws and regulations, maintaining the highest standards of data privacy and security.
• Council and Committee Oversight: Oversee the operations, training, and progress of institutional assessment councils, institutional planning and evaluation committees, and program review committees, ensuring their alignment with institutional effectiveness standards and continuous improvement initiatives.
  
  

Additional Duties And Responsibilities

• Additional Responsibilities: Assumed additional responsibilities, perform special projects, and assist with other duties as needed or requested by university leadership. Exhibits student centeredness in performance of all job duties.
• Student-Centered Approach: Exhibit a student-centered approach in the performance of all job duties, ensuring that student needs and success are a primary focus.
• Respect and Inclusivity: Treat all individuals with respect and consideration; understand the impact of culture and background on behavior; respect differences within the Life University community and demonstrate inclusive behavior in all interactions.
• Customer Service Excellence: Anticipate, listen to, understand, and respond to customer needs, delivering work products and services in a manner that reflects positively upon the department and the University.
• Professional Development: Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with the best practices in institutional effectiveness, assessment, and higher education trends.