Executive Director of Institutional Research at University of Puget Sound

At a glance

The University of Puget Sound, a top liberal arts university, is seeking an Executive Director of Institutional Research to join their team in Tacoma, Washington with an accommodating hybrid schedule. Providing visionary leadership, the incumbent will motivate a broad spectrum of staff and faculty to actively engage in comprehensive data collection, analysis, and reporting. Their expertise will shape the university’s future through informed recommendations and solutions. If you are a roll-up-your-sleeves leader who thrives on collaboration this role may be for you! 

Learn more and submit your resume today!

Description: What you'll be doing

Another Source’s client, University of Puget Sound, is recruiting an Executive Director of Institutional Research to join their team on-site in Tacoma, Washington. This dynamic role enables diverse engagement and partnership with staff and faculty, providing a platform for stepping into strategic leadership with a hands-on, proactive approach. 

Here’s a little about University of Puget Sound and the position they are recruiting for:  

Located in a vibrant port city in the Pacific Northwest, Puget Sound is a leading national liberal arts and sciences university preparing students for success since 1888. In an ever-evolving world, we believe that the best preparation for the future is an education that exposes you to multiple perspectives, engages you in work that makes a difference in the world, and helps you discover who you are and what you have to offer. It’s an education that transcends boundaries, teaches you to adapt to changing circumstances, and prepare for careers that might not yet exist. 

Our beautiful 97-acre campus supports connections with the world it serves, from the tide flats and urban energy of the entrepreneurial city of Tacoma, Washington to nearby Seattle, the Pacific Rim and beyond. A Puget Sound education is rooted in an inspiring confluence of histories and cultures and ideas and centered on 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students who are open-minded, outward-reaching, and actively put their educations to work. 

Learn more about the University of Puget Sound here:  

https://www.pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0 

What’s in it for you:   

University of Puget Sound offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit package, which can be found at the following:  

https://www.pugetsound.edu/sites/default/files/file/final_summary-of-2020-benefits-for-exempt-staff_ju_0.pdf  

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $135,000 – 146,000 based on experience.  

About the role:  

Reporting to the Provost, you will coordinate and support university operational planning and assessment processes to facilitate clear alignment of the Puget Sound academic mission to promote student retention and success at the undergraduate and graduate levels. You will serve as the Accreditation Liaison Officer with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and convene the Accreditation Review Committee. You will also work with senior university leadership, staff and faculty members, and trustees to provide recommendations and solutions that will ultimately achieve the vision, strategic goals and operational objectives outlined in the university’s strategic plan.   

Your day to day will likely include: 

• Under the direction of the Provost and working with all Cabinet members, support campus-wide operational planning, including plan development, integration, implementation, and evaluation of institutional progress in support of mission, vision, core themes, and strategic plan outcomes related to the academic program and student retention, success, and graduation.   
• Collaborate with the faculty and existing student support offices and programs to coordinate recommendations on structural, policy, procedure, and/or program changes in support of student retention, persistence, and successful graduation.   

• Collaborate with Technology Services staff to implement effective data and information management strategies  
• Promote efficient and effective data informed decision-making processes based on cohesive, coherent, and complete understanding of available data and information regarding the academic program and student success.  
• Coordinate with Marketing and Communications to implement internal and external communication plans for dissemination of academic information regarding retention, student success, and other frequently used institutional data.   
• Conduct studies to assist with long-range, operational, and strategic planning.   
• Develop and maintain a research schedule to support accreditation processes.   
• Identify and provide analysis of planning and management issues for senior administrative staff ongoing scanning of the higher education environment.  
• Evaluate the utility, availability, accuracy and timeliness of scheduled reports and the development or modification of campus reporting systems to meet campus needs.  
• Manage the Institutional Research office, including maintaining a library to support the office, evaluating the success of the office in meeting its goals, overseeing the department’s budget, and representing the university at professional meetings.   
• Manage and implement assessment strategy, including collaboration across campus with stakeholders to create and track reporting requirements and cycles that support institutional effectiveness and regional and specialized accreditation.  
• Consult with academic and non-academic departments to develop assessment plans, create outcomes, collect data (focus groups, survey items and institutional data) and close the loop on findings.  

What we would like to see from you: 

• Master's Degree in a field related to research is required; doctoral degree preferred.   
• 5 years of relevant experience in institutional research, both quantitative and qualitative, including substantial knowledge of higher education enrollment and planning issues; institutional databases, and data warehousing.   
• Direct experience working with accrediting bodies and supervisory experience are highly desirable.   
• The ability to work effectively with and present information and recommendations to leadership, including the president, cabinet members, trustees, other senior management, various advisory committees, faculty and staff.   
• Advanced computer skills; proficiency with software applications for data and statistical analysis; and experience in the use of higher education enterprise management systems. Prior experience with an ERP implementation is highly preferred.   
• A demonstrated commitment to liberal arts education as well as knowledge and an understanding of contemporary issues faced by academic institutions.   
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and summarize complex data and provide recommendations for actions based on evaluation, including capacity for strategic and visionary approaches to issues.   
• A self-confident style and upbeat personality, coupled with diplomatic skills which allow this individual to act effectively with all levels of the campus community. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.  

• High ethical and professional standards.   

University Diversity Statement 

We Acknowledge 

The richness of commonalities and differences we share as a University community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; and that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives. 

We Aspire 

To create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; and to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community. 

We Act 

To achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; and to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world. 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis.  We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.  

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