Director of Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Strategy

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We’re currently searching for our Director of Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Strategy in Student Affairs to join our team in Blacksburg, VA, and to be a strategic leader in our division in motivating data-informed decision-making efforts and fostering a learning-centered and evidence-based approach to advancing our divisional mission, strategic plan, and values. When was the last time you changed the world? In Virginia Tech’s Division of Student Affairs, that’s exactly what we’re doing every day—guiding, nurturing, and supporting students as they learn and grow into the leaders and world-changers of today and tomorrow. We need someone adept with program, diligent with effective data integration, over-the-moon for outcomes, and passionate about program evaluation. If that’s you, then please read on. You’ll be reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President of Administration for Student Affairs and will be joining the Division of Student Affairs at a critical time in a key leadership capacity. This is a major driving force for advancing divisional priorities and have the opportunity to build on an already strong foundation of continuous improvement. You’ll be responsible for strategically directing and tactically coordinating multiple projects and evaluation activities across the division--providing subject matter expertise in evaluation methods, outcome assessments, and data analysis/reporting. You will directly supervise the Assistant Director of Assessment who has primary responsibility for departmental assessment planning, reporting and action, and managing division-wide assessment work groups and training activities. You will co-advise a shared data scientist position with the Office of Analytics & Institutional Effectiveness to guide the development of a data analytic application in our University DataCommons to support division- and university-wide initiatives. You’ll lead the division’s data strategy efforts; taking an innovative and collaborative systems approach to data collection, data dissemination, and data utilization—leveraging best practices, key partnerships, and technologies to help guide operational decisions.

Requirements

Master’s degree in higher education, data sciences, student affairs administration, public administration, statistics, or a related field with a research or evaluation emphasis.
Considerable experience developing and leading the planning and assessment efforts for a large and complex division or organization.
Expert-level ability with analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, interpreting findings, and producing effective reports for a variety of technical and non-technical audiences.
Significant experience designing, validating, and administering evaluative instruments (e.g. surveys, rubrics, focus group protocols, etc.)
Extensive experience successfully managing multiple assessment/ research projects simultaneously, ideally in a higher education setting or other large, complex organization.
Demonstrated experience and skill in establishing a strong culture of assessment, forging collaborative partnerships, building consensus, and effectively managing change.
Considerable experience utilizing software applications and other technology-based tools to enhance assessment efforts and capabilities in the area of data analytics.

Nice To Haves

Earned doctorate in higher education, data sciences, student affairs administration, public administration, statistics, or a related field.
Professional experience in program evaluation, assessment, and research within the context of higher education.
Demonstrated experience supervising professional as well as student staff.
Experience in a student affairs functional area.
Knowledge of student development theory and best practices surrounding the assessment of student services and programs.
Demonstrated commitment to personal growth and professional development in assessment, analytics, or a related field—as evidenced by involvement with industry associations such as NASPA, ACPA, CAS, CHEA, or other national organization.

Responsibilities

Strategically directing and tactically coordinating multiple projects and evaluation activities across the division.
Providing subject matter expertise in evaluation methods, outcome assessments, and data analysis/reporting.
Directly supervising the Assistant Director of Assessment.
Managing division-wide assessment work groups and training activities.
Co-advising a shared data scientist position to guide the development of a data analytic application in our University DataCommons.
Leading the division’s data strategy efforts.
Taking an innovative and collaborative systems approach to data collection, data dissemination, and data utilization.
Leveraging best practices, key partnerships, and technologies to help guide operational decisions.