"Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness"

Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness

SUMMARY
The Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness provides senior leadership to advance Kansas City Kansas Community College’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. This role guides strategic planning, institutional research, data governance, and performance measurement, turning data into actionable insights that support student success and institutional growth. Working collaboratively with college leadership, academic and workforce programs, student services, and external partners, the Executive Director ensures institutional strategies align with measurable outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the governance, collection, analysis, and reporting of institutional data
• Guiding strategic planning and performance measurement initiatives
• Supporting accreditation, program review, grant reporting, and college-wide surveys
• Fostering a culture of data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement

The Executive Director ensures that KCKCC leadership and stakeholders have timely, accurate information to make strategic, operational, and compliance-related decisions.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This role advances data-informed decision-making, fosters collaboration across the college, and drives continuous improvement to support student success and institutional goals.

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Assist college leadership in administering the institution’s strategic planning processes, ensuring alignment with institutional mission, vision, and priorities.
• Recommend, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate progress toward strategic goals.
• Develop and implement streamlined data collection and analysis methods to inform executive decision-making and resource allocation.
• Research and integrate national best practices in strategic planning and institutional effectiveness.

Institutional Research, Analytics, and Data Governance

• Direct the design, governance, collection, analysis, and reporting of institutional data related to enrollment, retention, graduation, student success, and other performance metrics.
• Establish and maintain data governance policies, standards, and procedures to ensure data accuracy, consistency, security, and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Collaborate with Information Technology to strengthen data infrastructure, system integration, and user access protocols.
• Promote data literacy across the institution through training, resources, and consultation.
• Supervise and mentor a team of two Institutional Research/Data Analysts to ensure high-quality, timely, and impactful research outputs.
• Oversee participation in local, state, and national benchmarking initiatives to evaluate institutional performance.

Accreditation and Compliance Support

• Serve as a key resource for Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation and compliance-related data needs.
• Support program reviews and professional program accreditation processes by providing relevant institutional data and analyses.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of federal, state, and other external reporting requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Partner with college leadership to integrate data-driven strategies into enrollment management, student success initiatives, and operational planning.
• Collaborate with Information Technology and other administrative units to strengthen data governance, data integrity, and system efficiencies.
• Engage in collaborative problem-solving with internal and external partners to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
• Serve as Chief Public Information Officer, as appointed by the Board and act as a clearinghouse of all data, information and records transmitted outside the college.

Innovation and Institutional Improvement

• Lead efforts to enhance the accessibility, usability, and transparency of institutional data for decision-making.
• Identify trends and emerging issues to inform strategic initiatives and policy development.
• Recommend new tools, methodologies, and technologies to advance the college’s capacity for predictive analytics and scenario planning.
• Support the college’s continued implementation of Franklin Covey’s The Four Disciplines of Execution (4DX), working closely with the Executive Vice President, Cabinet, KCKCC’s 4DX coaches and team leaders to address data needs.

OTHER DUTIES:
Perform other job-related responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical and technological skills with the ability to communicate findings effectively, lead change initiatives, and support equity and student success. Key areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

Higher Education Knowledge

• Understand higher education structures, functions, and current trends.
• Apply local, state, and federal education policies and regulations.
• Navigate regional, national, and program accreditation processes.

Assessment & Institutional Effectiveness

• Use assessment tools and methods to measure effectiveness.
• Aligning research, planning, and assessment with institutional goals.
• Identify challenges, propose solutions, and drive improvements.
• Apply equity-minded practices to support student success.

Data Governance & Analysis

• Ensure data quality, security, and FERPA compliance.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Build and maintain accurate and reliable data systems.
• Translate findings into clear dashboards, visuals, and reports.
• Deliver precise, detail-oriented data management and reporting.

Technology & Tools

• Use educational technology platforms for data management and reporting.

Communication & Collaboration

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and stakeholders.
• Build partnerships with faculty, staff, administrators, and external agencies.
• Deliver effective presentations to Boards, Cabinets, faculty, and accreditors.
• Write concise, professional reports that inform decision-making.

Leadership & Change Management

• Lead institutional effectiveness projects and change initiatives.
• Motivate and guide staff while fostering continuous improvement.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards.

Strategic & External Support

• Provide data expertise for grants, compliance, and funding reports.
• Conduct benchmarking and collaborating with external partners.
• Adapt strategies to meet evolving institutional priorities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s or higher degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, data science, educational administration, business administration, quantitative social science, or another research related discipline.
• Five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in institutional research, institution and/or program accreditation, evaluation, and/or assessment in a higher education setting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in community college environment.
• Terminal degree in a related field.

WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, and sit. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift items and may be expected to drive to alternate campus sites.

WORK SCHEDULE

Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Must be able to work variable schedule/hours to meet operational needs. May require evening and weekend hours, frequent travel and must be able to work evening and weekend hours when required.