Description
Salary Range: Salary commensurate with experience and qualificationsAbout SMUSMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 90 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities - from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.About the Department and Student Affairs:Student Affairs Administration fosters a culture of critical inquiry, compelling storytelling, and strategic and evidence-based decision making across the Division of Student Affairs. It does so by providing critical, central support at the divisional- and departmental-levels in the areas of research, assessment, strategic planning, marketing and communication, and staff development. Collectively, these efforts amplify the division’s capacity to drive transformative change that results in positive impacts on student learning and development. The Division of Student Affairs creates and supports a robust student experience and forges strategic partnerships to best serve the entire SMU community. As educators and scholar-practitioners, we create purposeful learning and leadership opportunities for students to clarify and develop their knowledge, values, skills, and identities - challenging each to become a world changer.About the Position:Under direction of the Chief of Staff for Student Affairs, the Director of Assessment, Research, and Data Analytics serves as an assessment leader and collaborator across all areas of the Division. The Director is responsible for advancing a culture of evidence in the Division via data collection and analysis in order to enhance programmatic/operational outcomes, student learning/development outcomes, and strategic planning processes. This position represents the Division and the University in campus-wide meetings, events and discussions related to assessment, research, and data analytics; liaises with various academic units, schools, and campus partners to enhance the collective work and outcomes of institutional research, assessment, and data analytics while advocating for the overall student experience as it is shaped by and shapes such assessment and research efforts; includes serving as a clearinghouse checkpoint for divisional research.Essential Functions:
Advances a culture of evidence within the Division of Student Affairs by identifying appropriate data sources and assessment methodologies for the division and departments including administration of large-scale surveys, applied qualitative research studies, and utilization of secondary data. May supervise graduate and undergraduate student assistants and researchers.Supports units, departments, and offices to prioritize rigor, integrity, and equity in all assessment efforts via oversight of processes pertaining to the annual reporting process, program review, goal/outcome articulation and alignment, assessment capacity-building building, and compliance with institutional accreditation.Manages divisional assessment efforts, data collection, research processes, and institutional compliance as they relate to IRB, the survey calendar, and data privacy/sharing standards. Fields and selectively executes ad-hoc requests from divisional stakeholders for access to data and reports, as well as permission to conduct original research and/or assessment.Works with unit leadership to advance the Division's strategic focus on co-curricular student learning, assessment of the student experience, and data-informed decision-making by ensuring that research, assessment, and reporting align with and support Divisional and institutional missions, goals, and outcomes.In order to enhance assessment efforts, the Director will ensure that large and complex data sources are accurate, connects data sources into data warehouses and related institution-wide data structures, designs and develops reports using reporting tools like Tableau, and provides democratic access to and utilization of such data among staff and other stakeholders.Oversees and manages the articulation/alignment and documentation of assessment outcomes for all student-facing services, resources, programs, and initiatives occurring in the division; develops and maintains user-friendly strategies for presenting and maintaining such information for a variety of stakeholders to ensure assessment cycles close the loop.Convenes and/or participates on ad-hoc advisory boards, provides leadership for divisional and University committees and coalitions, and oversees Divisional responses to campus-wide activities and plans related to research, assessment, and data analytics as they arise in relation to special projects related to data, benchmarking, and research.Engages as an active and participatory member of the Student Affairs Administration team and the Offices of the Chief of Staff and works collaboratively with colleagues on joint initiatives and projects. This may include providing data and key metrics for storytelling purposes, social media campaigns, or websites.Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education and Experience: A Master’s degree in Higher Education Research or Administration, Student Affairs, Educational Research, or related field is required for this position. A doctoral degree is preferred.A minimum of five (5) years of experience is required for this position.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Candidate must have thorough knowledge in data collection and analysis techniques (e.g., SPSS, STATA, SAS, etc.); statistics or social science research techniques; knowledge of organization-specific computer application programs (for example, query tools and relational databases); knowledge of organizational principles and procedures involved in handling sensitive data (for example, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA); in depth knowledge of creating and implementing a comprehensive assessment program, including measuring student learning outcomes at the divisional level; advanced ability to present complex findings and recommendations in a clear concise manner verbally and in writing. Previous experience with technical writing preferred.Candidate must have excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.Candidate must possess excellent organizational skills which include effective planning and project management. Must be focused on deadlines and attentive to details.Candidate must demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and analytical skills.Must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively with others.Previous software experience in Microsoft Office and Statistical Analysis Software platform (SPSS, STATA, SAS, etc.) is required. Preferred software experience in Qualtrics and Tableau.Physical and Environmental Demands:
Sit for long periods of timeDeadline to Apply: This position is open until filled.EEO Statement: SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, [accessequity@smu.edu](mailto:accessequity@smu.edu).Benefits:SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of [health and related benefit](https://www.smu.edu/BusinessFinance/HR/BenefitsAndWellness)s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of [wellness programs](https://www.smu.edu/BusinessFinance/HR/BenefitsAndWellness/Wellness) to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.SMU is committed to providing an array of [retirement programs](https://www.smu.edu/BusinessFinance/HR/Retirement#overview) that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU. The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of [professional and personal development opportunities](https://www.smu.edu/BusinessFinance/HR/LearningAndDevelopment), including [tuition benefits](https://www.smu.edu/BusinessFinance/HR/BenefitsAndWellness/HealthAndOtherBenefits/TuitionBenefits).

*Primary Location: *USA-TX-Dallas
*Job: *Student Services
*Organization: *Student Life
*Schedule: *Full-time
*Shift: *Day Job
*Employee Status: *Regular
*Job Type: *Staff
*Job Level: *Individual Contributor
*Travel: *No
*Job Posting: *Jul 1, 2022, 4:56:52 PM