Director of Assessment

The Director of Student Affairs Assessment will expand the division's ability to understand and improve its impact on students, advance its ability to make data driven decisions, coordinate data sharing among campus partners, and demonstrate the impact of Student Affairs on the student experience. The person in this position provides leadership, technical expertise, and training for divisional staff regarding assessment methodology, data analysis and findings interpretation. The position assists divisional staff in administering and analyzing complex qualitative and quantitative assessments and/or those connected to high profile initiatives.

Leadership of Divisional Assessment Efforts

• Develop and direct the division's long and short term assessment plans centered on advancing its mission, vision and strategic priorities
• Direct, develop, implement and evaluate division related research projects, working in partnership with colleagues within and outside of Student Affairs
• Develop and implement procedures and guidelines for divisional and departmental assessment standards and best practices
• Compile, analyze and interpret data with the goal of making data useful for program improvement and decision making
• Manage and keep an inventory of the division's assessment tools and third party-services
• In partnership with the marketing and communications unit, prepare effective written reports, articles, infographics and other documentation to demonstrate the impact of Student Affairs on the student experience
• Conduct ongoing benchmark analysis to compare the UMN campuses to regional and peer institutions.

Strategic Planning

• Actively participate in university and divisional strategic planning
• Develop and implement metrics to measure divisional strategic initiatives and unit specific goals
• Consult with divisional directors and leaders as they develop unit work plans in support of the division's strategic priorities
• Coordinate annual reporting for the division

Program Review and Quality Improvement

• Implement a program review process for Student Affairs units
• Analyze assessment data to inform program and policy changes
• Assist Student Affairs staff in utilization of assessment data to evaluate programs and services

Other Responsibilities

• Share data and collaborate with campus research partners outside of Student Affairs
• Partner with Boynton Health's Director of Research to ensure alignment with divisional goals and assessment standards
• Represent the division on campus committees and at initiatives and events related to assessment
• Actively participate in division-wide workgroups
• Monitor and report on national, state and educational trends related to college student success and issues as they relate to higher education.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with at least 6 years of experience with higher education, administration, assessment, evaluation and/or research.
• Knowledge and skills in qualitative and quantitative assessment, data analysis, and/or statistics.
• Knowledge of higher education issues in general and student issues in particular.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Advanced experience with data analysis software (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS, Stata)
• Experience using SQL to query relational databases
• Ability to build and maintain warehouse tables
• Have an understanding and experience with national higher education data (e.g., IPEDS, College Scorecard, College Board, National Student Clearinghouse)

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters in higher education, public policy, statistics or comparable social science field
• 8 years of experience in higher education with a focus on institutional research, program evaluation, or policy research.
• Strong statistical analysis skills and experience with statistical software tools.
• Experience with survey design tools such as Campus Labs, Qualtrics, etc.
• Statistical expertise in predictive modeling/analysis

Pay Range: $84,000 - $90,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment, 12 month

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

A resume, cover letter and references are required for consideration. Note: references will not be contacted until the applicant is notified. Deadline July 13, 2025.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).