Chief Transformation Officer

Position Summary: 

The AVP for Research and Institutional Effectiveness and Chief Transformation Officer, under the leadership of the Provost's Office, provides university-wide leadership in the critical functions and activities that support the University’s mission and ensure that all students receive an equitable educational experience and achieve academic success.  More specifically, the Director manages the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, which houses the University’s accreditation office, data collection and reporting, and strategic and long-range planning activities. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the University’s lead/liaison for accreditation preparation/submission of required reports to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and various federal, state, and local entities;
• Serve as the University's lead/liaison for UNCF and UNCF initiatives. 
• Support academic departments with disciplinary accreditation processes.
• Support, review, and prepare new program proposals for submission alongside academic departments to ensure alignment with accreditation and institutional standards and policies.
• Provide direction and leadership in the development of effective and wide-ranging programs of quantitative and qualitative research that support innovation and the University’s decision-making process at all levels;
• Ensure accurate and timely submission in the preparation and dissemination of reports required by federal, state, and local accrediting agencies;
• Analyze trends and outcomes and provide analysis for assessing student learning goals;
• Promote the understanding, articulation, and documentation of student learning outcomes for each program and the University as a whole;
• Coordinate institution-wide assessment activities that are designed, implemented, analyzed, and reported in a manner that is useful for curricular, co-curricular, and program improvement;
• Support data-driven decision-making through centralized reporting;
• Maintain relevance with current issues and practices impacting institutional research and effectiveness activities;
• Ensure data integrity and overall quality of all data and reports issued by the Office;
• Assist in the recruitment, selection, and management of all personnel assigned to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness;
• Prepare complex reports, proposals, and other presentations to effectively articulate findings, forecasts, and recommendations to large audiences with diverse backgrounds; and
• Other duties as assigned in fulfillment of the University’s mission.

• Earned master’s degree from an accredited institution in higher education administration, educational leadership, public administration, institutional research, data analytics, or a related field (doctorate preferred for advancement). 
• Minimum of 3 to5 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, including experience in institutional effectiveness, accreditation, institutional research, assessment, or strategic planning. 
• Demonstrated experience working with regional accreditation bodies (e.g., Higher Learning Commission) and familiarity with federal and state reporting requirements. 
• Strong knowledge of assessment practices, student-learning outcomes, and continuous improvement processes in higher education. 
• Experience with data collection, analysis, and reporting, including the use of institutional research tools and systems. 
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and collaborate with academic and administrative units. 
• Experience preparing and presenting complex reports and data analyses to diverse audiences, including senior leadership. 
• Demonstrated supervisory and team leadership experience. 
• Strong written, verbal, and organizational communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in higher education leadership, institutional research, public administration, or a closely related field. 
• 8 to 10 years of leadership experience in institutional effectiveness, accreditation, or strategic planning within higher education. 
• Direct experience leading or coordinating a comprehensive accreditation reaffirmation process (e.g., HLC site visit, assurance argument, quality initiative). 
• Experience supporting or leading disciplinary/programmatic accreditation processes (e.g., CAEP, CSWE, ACBSP). 
• Demonstrated success in strategic plan development, implementation, and assessment at the institutional level. 
• Advanced expertise in data analytics, dashboards, and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, SAS, SPSS, R, or similar platforms). 
• Experience overseeing enterprise data governance, data integrity, and compliance frameworks. 
• Familiarity with ERP and student information systems (e.g., Jenzabar, Banner, Colleague, Workday, or similar). 
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, student success, and inclusive excellence, particularly in mission-driven or HBCU environments. 
• Experience managing institutional research or effectiveness offices, including budgeting and personnel oversight. 
• Record of scholarship, presentations, or professional engagement in institutional effectiveness, assessment, or higher education leadership. 

Benefits Include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plans
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403B Retirement Savings Plan
• Life Insurance 
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement

Philander Smith University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on age, race, sex, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status or religion. Philander Smith University is a smoke-free and drug-free work environment. Philander Smith University participates in E-Verify.