Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness

Reports to: Provost
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Type: Full-time 12 months

Position Summary
The Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness provides leadership and strategic direction for assessment planning and accreditation across the University. Serving as the primary architect of evidence-driven decision-making the Executive Director ensures that the institution maintains a culture of continuous improvement in academics student services and administrative operations. At our small student-centered university the Executive Director works closely with faculty staff and administrators to align institutional performance with the mission and strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

Institutional Effectiveness and Planning

• Lead and coordinate institutional effectiveness initiatives across academic and administrative units.
• Integrate assessment results into strategic planning policy development and resource allocation.
• Develop monitor and report on key performance indicators related to student success financial sustainability program quality and mission fulfillment.
• Provide leadership for institutional surveys and reporting (IPEDS NSSE state/federal reporting).

Accreditation and Compliance

• Serve as the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) to regional and specialized accrediting bodies ensuring compliance with standards and timely submission of required reports.
• Coordinate institution-wide accreditation self-studies mid-cycle reviews and follow-up reports.
• Advise faculty staff and trustees on accreditation requirements and emerging trends.
• Assessment of Student Learning and Institutional Outcomes
• Oversee the design implementation and evaluation of student learning outcomes assessment at the course program and institutional levels. Support meaningful program review and administrative unit review processes that promote continuous improvement.
• Provide professional development consultation and resources for faculty and staff engaged in assessment activities.

Data Analysis Reporting and Communication

• Personally manage the collection analysis and interpretation of data across academics enrollment student services and operations.
• Build maintain and analyze datasets to support institutional research and effectiveness functions.
• Develop dashboards reports and visualizations that make complex information accessible and actionable.
• Respond to internal and external data requests ensuring accuracy timeliness and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Produce clear reports for diverse audiences including trustees accreditors government agencies faculty and staff.
• Promote a culture of evidence-based decision-making across the University.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Chair or co-chair institutional committees on assessment accreditation and effectiveness.
• Collaborate across divisions including academics finance student affairs and enrollment management.
• Provide guidance consultation and leadership to colleagues across campus.
• May supervise staff in the future as the office of institutional effectiveness evolves.
• Other duties as assigned by the Provost.

Qualifications Required

• Masters degree in higher education educational leadership institutional research or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional effectiveness assessment accreditation or related areas.
• Demonstrated knowledge of regional accreditation processes and higher education compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written verbal and interpersonal communication abilities.

Preferred

• Doctorate in higher education administration institutional research or related field. - Experience at a small college or university. - Familiarity with specialized program accreditation requirements. - Proficiency with data visualization survey management and reporting tools.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to connect institutional mission and goals with measurable outcomes.
• Collaboration: Skilled in fostering cross-divisional teamwork.
• Hands-On Data Expertise: Ability to independently collect analyze and interpret institutionaldata across multiple domains.
• Communication: Adept at presenting findings to varied audiences from trustees to students.
• Commitment to Equity: Dedication to inclusive practices that support diverse student populations.

Working Conditions
This position requires occasional evening or weekend work particularly during accreditation site visits board meetings or assessment workshops. Some travel may be required for professional development and accreditation-related activities.

Application Procedures:

NDNU is committed to providing an educational environment that supports a diverse student your cover letter please include information about your experiences in working in a diverse environment and what qualities you would bring to supporting this commitment to inclusive excellence at NDNU. Please email your cover letter and resume to

EEOC Policy:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and in the application of its personnel compliance with all applicable federal and state laws except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists employment decisions will be made irrespective of the staff members race color religion religious creed ancestry national origin age (except for minors) sex marital status citizenship status military service status sexual orientation medical condition (cancer-related or genetic condition) disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary the University will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform all essential functions of the position and if it will be done without undue hardship to the University.