Program Director 1 - Assessments

Directs an ongoing university program to ensure that prescribed activities are carried out in accordance with its mission and/or specified objectives. Prepares short- and long-term goals and objectives.

1. Plans, develops and administers methods, strategies and procedures for meeting program objectives; directs and oversees the daily activities of staff members.
2. Prepares and monitors the annual budget and ensures that expenditures are within budget allocation.
3. Directs and coordinates personally, or through subordinate personnel, activities concerned with carrying out the objectives of the program.
4. Directs the preparation of and reviews reports and records of activities to ensure progress is being accomplished toward specified program objectives; modifies or changes methodology as required to redirect activities and attains objectives.
5. Analyzes trends within program areas, maintaining expert awareness of program information and change needs.
6. Formulates, implements, and maintains appropriate policies and procedures concerning program administration.
7. Manages and administers grant for program, including meetings, communication coordination, scholarships and other operations.
8. May prepare or participate in the preparation of proposals to obtain grants from state and federal agencies, and private foundation sponsors.
9. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Position Summary

The Program Director of Assessment assists the Division of Student Affairs to ensure that prescribed activities are carried out in accordance with the Division’s mission to provide “an environment that facilitates belonging, wellbeing, and student success through engagement, discovery, and learning.” The Program Manager coordinates, develops, and advances assessment efforts to support continuous improvement, accreditation compliance, and data-informed decision making cross-departmentally in the Division of Student Affairs. This position collaborates with a broad range of departments in Student Affairs and administrative areas to develop and implement meaningful assessment processes that enhance learning, support measurement outcomes, and improve institutional effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Assessment Planning and Coordination

1. Develops, implements, and maintains institution-wide assessment processes for departments in the Division of Student Affairs;
2. Guides staff in defining measurable program and learning outcomes, identifying assessment needs, and creating and managing assessment plans through an innovative, inclusive, and collaborative environment;
3. Assists in preparing correspondence and reports about assessment activities with the division, including the contributions of the division toward student life, retention, and success;
4. Facilitates annual assessment cycles, including goal setting, outcomes development, measurement selection, data collection, and reporting;
5. Prepares and disseminates surveys, assessment findings, and reports in a timely manner. Pulls student demographics, GPAs, and graduation/retention rate information from university records to track the impact of Student Affairs programs and services developed to support and enhance the student experience at the University of Houston;
6. Other job-related duties as assigned.

Data Analysis and Reporting

1. Oversees the analysis, representation, and interpretation of assessment data to support strategic planning and institutional improvement;
2. Assists with assessment instruments and method development/facilitation (e.g., surveys, focus groups, SWOT analyses, etc.) for both divisional and departmental projects;
3. Ensures alignment of assessment outcomes with institutional mission, strategic goals, and key performance indicators;
4. Manages multiple assessment initiatives and timelines simultaneously;
5. Helps lead special projects involving outcomes assessment, program review, and/or institutional effectiveness;
6. Ensures consistent documentation, record keeping, communication, and follow-through on assessment activities.

Required Qualifications:

1. Undergraduate degree from a college or university (experience may be considered in lieu of education);
2. Minimum of one (1) year of direct job-related experience;
3. Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, data interpretation, and reporting;
4. Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and coordinate across multiple departments;
5. Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience with assessment management or analytics platforms (e.g., Excel, R, Qualtrics, Power BI, etc.) necessary for a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical, or professional discipline;
2. Experience supporting program review processes;
3. 3-5 years of experience in assessment, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, or other related functional areas.

Key Competencies:

1. Vision and strategic alignment: ability to align assessment initiatives with institutional mission, assessment expectations, and strategic priorities of the University;
2. Project management: Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and adherence to timelines in the development of assessment frameworks and ongoing monitoring of outcomes;
3. Communication and stakeholder engagement: ability to collaborate well with others across multiple departments in the division and communicate assessment goals, processes, and results;
4. Analytical engagement: competency in interpreting assessment data, identifying trends, and using evidence to inform decision making processes.

MQ: Education: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Experience: Requires a minimum of three (3) years of directly job-related experience.