Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment

Since 1906, the University of West Georgia (UWG) has been home to those who seek a transformative college experience. UWG is a leading residential, doctoral comprehensive university that offers a broad undergraduate and graduate curriculum based on a liberal arts foundation. Nestled among the pines on a picturesque 645 acres is the University of West Georgia- a hidden gem approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta.

Serving approximately 16,000+ students, and offering more than 100 programs, UWG is committed to advancing innovative academic programs and a student-centered business model. Perennially ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Colleges of Distinction as a top national university, West Georgia offers 86 fields of study, including business, computing, nursing, education, STEM, communication and digital media, social sciences, and the fine and performing arts.

UWG generates a regional economic impact of more than $650 million annually and provides a safe, quality, and affordable university experience that connects students to post-graduate career and leadership opportunities. UWG has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its institutional commitment to community engagement through teaching, research and creative activities, and public service.

West Georgia is one of only 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the elective classification in 2020 and is among only 359 institutions nationally. Dedicated to creating a first-choice university for students, alumni, employees, and communities, UWG seeks employees who will advance and support the University's mission of fulfilling the talent needs of western Georgia and the Atlanta metropolitan area, while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the region and state.

The University of West Georgia offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support faculty and staff across multiple dimensions; health, wellness, financial security, and professional growth. Employees working at least 30 hours per week gain access to a range of health plans, including medical, dental, and vision, wellness programs, and robust retirement options through Georgia Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Optional Retirement Program, and voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) plans.

Employees are granted 13 paid holidays and paid time off accruals and are eligible to participate in the University System of Georgia's Tuition Assistance Program. Fringe benefits include a variety of resources focused on employee physical, mental, financial, and social well-being through Acentra Employee Assistance Program in addition to personal financial advising with Captrust.

UWG also offers exclusive discounts and special offers on entertainment, travel, and other products and services through the Perks at Work program, free access to the university recreation facility, discounted campus dining options, and more! Living in Carrollton, "The City of Dreams," offers the advantages of city life with a small-town vibe.

This progressive community with Southern flair offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, nightlife opportunities, and cultural events. Named a City of Excellence in Georgia and listed as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, Carrollton is the cultural, educational, health care, and commercial center for the west Georgia region.

At the heart of Carrollton is its historic downtown and Adamson Square lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. Each season offers unique local events and opportunities for year-round recreation. Outdoor activities abound through award-winning spaces, including an 18-mile paved walking and biking Greenbelt trail that encircles the city and passes through the UWG campus.

The city embraces the University's students, faculty, and staff, and welcomes the diversity UWG brings to the community. Invested in education with highly rated city and county K-12 systems, both city and county public school graduation rates are 90% and above and rank among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Our campus is located at 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30118. Faculty and staff members are expected to be physically present on campus as needed to support the in-person educational experience and on-campus vitality at the University of West Georgia. Depending upon teaching assignments and student demand, this could include the Carrollton or Newnan campuses.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, the Executive Director provides strategic and supervisory oversight for IEA personnel and functions in Institutional Research and Institutional Effectiveness. The position directs institutional research and analytics; ensures the integrity and timely completion of IPEDS, University System of Georgia, ranking, and other institutional reporting; and provides executive oversight for SACSCOC reaffirmation, Quality Enhancement Plan activities, institutional and programmatic accreditation support, and university-wide assessment and evaluation.

The Executive Director serves as a senior advisor to Academic Affairs and university leadership on institutional performance, compliance, trends, and evidence-based improvement and represents the University on institutional, system, and professional committees as assigned.

1. Executive Leadership, Institutional Effectiveness, and Strategic Planning Provide strategic leadership for the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment, including establishing priorities, coordinating major initiatives, supervising and developing assigned personnel, and ensuring the timely and effective completion of office responsibilities. Lead the University's institutional effectiveness and strategic planning framework by integrating institutional research, assessment, accreditation, program evaluation, and planning. Provide evidence and analysis to support institutional priorities, academic quality, student success, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.
2. Institutional Research, Analytics, Reporting, and Data Governance Direct and conduct institutional research and advanced analysis of academic and non-academic data. Lead the development and use of dashboards, reports, and visualization tools, including Power BI and Tableau, to monitor institutional performance, identify trends, and communicate actionable information. Provide oversight for required and strategic reporting, including IPEDS, University System of Georgia reporting, ranking surveys, and other external submissions. Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Information Technology, colleges, schools, and administrative divisions to strengthen data quality, consistency, accessibility, governance, documentation, and responsible use.
3. Accreditation, Assessment, and Program Evaluation Provide executive oversight for SACSCOC reaffirmation, institutional and programmatic accreditation support, and related compliance initiatives. Provide strategic direction and supervisory oversight to assessment and accreditation personnel and coordinate with Academic Affairs and university leadership to maintain institutional readiness and compliance. Guide university-wide assessment, academic program evaluation, general education assessment, student learning outcomes assessment, and administrative and operational effectiveness, ensuring that findings inform planning, improvement, and institutional decision-making.
4. Collaboration, Executive Decision Support, and Special Initiatives Serve as an advisor and collaborative partner to university and college leadership, faculty, and administrative divisions by providing data-informed decision support and institutional effectiveness expertise. Serve on university and system committees as assigned and represent the institution in professional organizations and activities related to institutional effectiveness, research, analytics, assessment, and accreditation. Lead special projects and perform other duties as assigned in support of Academic Affairs and University priorities.

Educational Requirements Master's degree Required Experience Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, institutional effectiveness, assessment, academic analytics, accreditation, or a closely related higher education function. Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and leading complex, cross-functional projects.

Demonstrated experience with institutional research methods, statistical analysis, data visualization, assessment, and executive- level reporting. Demonstrated proficiency with data analytics and visualization tools, including Power BI, Tableau, or comparable platforms, with experience using institutional data to develop dashboards, reports, and decision-support resources.

Experience with IPEDS or comparable state/federal reporting and familiarity with accreditation or institutional compliance processes. Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and deadlines while ensuring accuracy, documentation, and accountability.

Preferred Educational Qualifications Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D. strongly preferred) Preferred Experience Earned doctorate from an accredited institution. Senior-level experience in institutional effectiveness, institutional research, academic affairs, or a related higher education setting. Direct experience with SACSCOC accreditation, reaffirmation, Quality Enhancement Plans, substantive change, or other institutional accreditation processes.

Advanced experience with IPEDS and University System of Georgia reporting; SAS, SPSS, or comparable statistical tools; and Banner, Argos, or comparable student information and reporting systems. Experience working in environments without a centralized data warehouse; faculty credentialing; ranking surveys; academic program review; strategic planning; and assessment of academic programs, general education, student learning outcomes, and operational effectiveness.

Salary will be commensurate with experience.

ABILITIES Ability to lead a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented institutional effectiveness team and manage multiple complex priorities. Physical Requirements Office Environment

• Work normally performed in a typical interior work environment. KNOWLEDGE Advanced knowledge of institutional research, data analytics, data visualization, assessment, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, and external reporting. Demonstrated knowledge and application of business intelligence and visualization tools, including Power BI and Tableau, to develop dashboards, analyze institutional trends, and communicate complex data for executive and campus decision-making. SKILLS Demonstrated ability to create and sustain a collaborative, team oriented work environment and to lead professional staff through complex institutional priorities. Strong analytical judgment and ability to synthesize complex data, dashboard outputs, trends, and requirements for executive and campus audiences. Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and consultative communication skills. Strong project-management, organizational, and problem-solving skills; ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment; and ability to build effective partnerships across academic and administrative units.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.

More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct . Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.

usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.

Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

The mission of the University of West Georgia is to enable students, faculty, and staff to realize their full potential through academic engagement, supportive services, professional development, and a caring, student-centered community. The institutional mission and daily operation of the University of West Georgia are guided by our values that support our vision to be the best place to work, learn, and succeed: ACHIEVEMENT, CARING, COLLABORATION, INCLUSIVENESS, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, SUSTAINABILITY, and WISDOM.