Job Details

Director of Assessment - Division of Student Success - UTK

Position Number: 6375425
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Assessment, Accreditation, and Compliance

Director of Assessment - Division of Student Success - UTK
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Identification: 3799
Job Category: Data Analytics
Posting Date: 07/11/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 1331 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US

Job Description
The Director of Assessment provides leadership for the assessment, program review, strategic planning, and research initiatives within the Division of Student Success, with a particular focus on supporting the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). This role is crucial in informing Division policies, programs, and services through insightful assessment and analysis. The Director will be responsible for developing and leading the assessment of UTK's QEP, ensuring all established accreditation reporting deadlines are met to maintain compliance. They will also ensure that all assessment, evaluation, and research projects meet broader institutional and ethical requirements, contributing directly to the effectiveness and continuous improvement of student success initiatives. A key responsibility includes leading efforts to enhance staff knowledge of assessment methodologies and best practices related to program effectiveness, especially as they relate to QEP objectives. This position reports to the Associate Vice Provost for Student Success & Executive Director of QEP.

Responsibilities
LEADERSHIP:

Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation, and assessment of the Division of Student Success's strategic plan, ensuring alignment with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's overarching goals, including the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Coordinate and implement comprehensive program review guidelines for all Student Success units, driving continuous improvement and effectiveness. Serve as the primary system administrator for the strategic planning platform, managing access, permissions, content, and reporting to ensure robust data integrity and accessibility. Collaborate closely with the Executive Leadership Team to ensure the appropriateness and rigor of assessment activities at both departmental and divisional levels, directly supporting the university's strategic plan and the QEP's objectives. Oversee and facilitate divisional compliance related to SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation, with a specific focus on QEP assessment and reporting.

DATA ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH:

The Director of Assessment will be instrumental in leveraging data to drive continuous improvement within the Division of Student Success, especially in support of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). This includes: Providing comprehensive oversight of the process for assigning, reporting, and analyzing findings from various activity codes, ensuring data integrity and relevance to student success outcomes. Conducting in-depth analysis of data related to student success and the overall student experience, directly informing improvements to programs and services offered by the Division. Collecting and analyzing diverse data sets to support evidence-based decision-making for programs, services, policy development, resource allocation, and other processes requiring robust data analysis. Regularly disseminating actionable insights from assessment and research efforts to key stakeholders through a variety of engaging methods, including written reports, oral presentations, compelling data visualizations, and dynamic digital media platforms. Utilizing both internal and external data to rigorously evaluate efforts across the Division, with a strong emphasis on measuring the impact and effectiveness of QEP initiatives. Serving as the primary technical expert for data analytics and research, acting as the key point of contact for data management, reporting, and consistent program evaluation within the Division.

TRAINING AND OUTREACH:

The Director of Assessment will play a critical role in building a culture of assessment excellence throughout the Division of Student Success, directly supporting the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) by: Providing expert training and dedicated resource support to all Student Success staff on assessment-related issues, fostering a data-informed approach to their work. Developing, implementing, and assessing a comprehensive staff training program specifically designed to build and enhance assessment and data analysis competencies across the Division, particularly as they relate to QEP objectives. Representing the Division of Student Success on the Academic Assessment Steering Committee, ensuring alignment and collaboration on university-wide assessment initiatives. Representing the Division of Student Success on the Campus Survey Advisory Committee, guiding best practices for institutional surveying. Serving as the primary liaison to Institutional Effectiveness, ensuring seamless collaboration and consistent data practices between the Division and the university's central assessment functions. Representing the Division of Student Success on various university committees, task forces, and work groups as assigned, advocating for student success and assessment principles.

SUPERVISION:

This role involves direct supervision and leadership to cultivate a high-performing assessment team: Providing clear direction and expert guidance to staff members within the assessment function, fostering their professional growth and expertise. Coordinating strategic efforts to recruit, hire, and successfully onboard new team members, ensuring a strong foundation for their contributions. Cultivating a positive and collaborative work environment that promotes teamwork, innovation, and shared commitment to assessment excellence. Regularly assessing and reviewing staff performance, conducting thorough performance reviews, and providing consistent, constructive feedback to support individual and team development. Identifying, organizing, and facilitating ongoing professional training for staff, enhancing their skills in assessment methodologies, data analysis, and reporting. Assigning tasks and ensuring their timely completion, guaranteeing that staff efforts directly support the mission and strategic priorities of the Division of Student Success, particularly those related to the QEP. Ensuring strict staff compliance with all relevant policies, procedures, and institutional regulations.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Education:
- Master's Degree
Experience:
- Minimum of 3 years relevant experience in Higher Education, development, and demonstrated experience in assessment, evaluation, data collection, and analysis.
- Experience managing multiple assessment/research projects simultaneously.
- Experience working with faculty and staff on assessment of student learning and co-curricular engagement.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Expertise with qualitative and quantitative methods of research and analysis in a higher education setting.
Significant knowledge of data analysis software.
Understanding of theory and practice related to college student development including familiarity with professional standards.
Ability to understand mission alignment and broad planning frameworks long-tern goals, outcomes-based approaches, and key performance measures.
Effective analytic, written, and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to use a variety of data visualization techniques to report research and assessment findings.
Ability to work collaboratively and to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to work independently to accomplish assigned goals in a timely manner.
Ability to work with detailed information with attention to accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:
- Doctoral Degree
Experience:
- Five Years of relevant experience in higher education and extensive professional experience in assessment, evaluation, data collection, and analysis.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the accreditation process, strategic planning in higher education.
- Management experience at the Associate/ Assistant or Director level.
- Demonstrated experience with chairing committees, supervising professional staff members or graduate assistants in an assessment, analytics, or evaluation function.
- Demonstrated experience in large-scale institutional assessment, multi-method evaluation, data visualization, and strategic reporting to campus and external stakeholders.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Demonstrated knowledge of the accreditation process, strategic planning in higher education, and assessment of college student learning and development.
Excellent presentation and training skills.
Superior leadership and management skills.

Work Location

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR 15
Anticipated hiring range: Minimum $90,000
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

For best consideration applicants should submit cover letter, resume, and three professional references.

About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/3799/?mode=location