Director of Assessment and Strategic Initiatives, Student Affairs

About Student Affairs

At the University of Cincinnati, student success is at the heart of everything we do. In Student Affairs, we champion the student experience - advocating for students' needs, fostering well-being, and creating programs and spaces where every Bearcat can thrive. We don’t wait for change - we lead it. By boldly imagining what’s NEXT, we ensure that today’s student support and advocacy become tomorrow’s success. Together, we are shaping a future where every student feels empowered, connected, and ready to make an impact at UC and beyond.

Job Overview

The Director of Assessment and Strategic Initiatives will serve as a strategic thought partner within Student Affairs and across campus, leading the implementation of the division’s strategic plan and developing a culture of meaningful, mission-driven assessment and continuous improvement across the division and at the unit-level. The role is critical in influencing how student experiences are designed, assessed, and improved as we advance our commitment to student success and evidence-informed decision-making.

The Director of Assessment and Strategic Initiatives role is ideal for a leader who is energized by data strategy (including data collection, dissemination, and utilization), building partnerships, leading collaborative teams, and teaching others about using assessment to transform and improve our work to best support our students.

Essential Functions

• Lead the design, implementation, and management of comprehensive assessment plans at the division and unit levels.
• Support departments in identifying learning outcomes, selecting assessment tools, and analyzing data to drive program improvement.
• Develop and implement assessment plans for divisional programs and services; evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of student engagement, retention, and persistence data to guide institutional intervention strategies.
• Develop and present annual assessment reports, dashboards, and executive summaries for divisional leadership and campus stakeholders.
• Lead the use of cross-divisional analytics to inform student development and success initiatives.
• Serve as the Student Affairs liaison to Institutional Research, and DTS data teams. Maintain data dashboards and reporting systems supporting transparency, operational decision-making, and a data-informed culture.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and compliance documentation aligned with university, state, and federal standards.
• Lead division-wide strategic planning efforts, including goal-setting, performance tracking, and reporting.
• Ensure strategies are data-informed, aligned with student needs, and supportive of institutional priorities and accreditation requirements.
• Partner with leadership on long-term planning for assessment infrastructure, student development initiatives, and continuous improvement models.
• Foster a culture of assessment, strategic thinking, and continuous improvement across departments.
• Supervise professional and/or student staff involved in assessment, analytics, or planning operations.
• Provide training, workshops, and consultation to divisional staff on assessment methods, strategic planning, and data interpretation.
• Represent the division on campus-wide committees related to student success, assessment, accreditation, and strategy.
• Perform related duties based on departmental need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in assessment, data analytics, strategic planning, institutional research, or student success roles.
• Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Experience with data visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and assessment systems (e.g., Anthology, Qualtrics).
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills.
• Supervisory experience.

Required Education

Master's Degree

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Master's degree in higher education, educational research, public administration, data analytics, or related field.
• Experience conducting assessment of co-curricular learning, student development programs, or high-impact practices.
• Familiarity with institutional accreditation standards (e.g., SACSCOC, HLC, Middle States, WASC).
• Experience leading organizational or cultural change initiatives in complex higher education settings.
• Demonstrated success in cross-divisional collaboration involving advising, student affairs, academic colleges, and IT.
• Knowledge of emerging trends in learning analytics and student success assessment.

Application Process

To submit a complete application, please provide your resume and cover letter addressed to the Search Committee.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. UC Benefits Eligibility may vary by position and FTE status. Highlights include:

Salary/Hourly Pay Rate Information:

Comprehensive Tuition Remission

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

Robust Retirement Plans

As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.

Real Work-Life Balance

UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:

Vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)

6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents

Additional Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary range of $81,100 - $85,000 based on experience and qualifications
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
• Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
• Professional development & mentorship opportunities