Senior Strategist for Student Affairs Assessment

The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) at the University of Virginia advances the growth, wellbeing, and success of every student. The Division comprises more than a dozen departments and centers, including the University Career Center, the Office of the Dean of Students, Housing & Residence Life, CAPS, Student Health & Wellness, and others, each generating data on student engagement, learning, and outcomes. The Senior Strategist for Student Affairs Assessment & Analytics is a new, division-wide role created to set a coherent assessment strategy across Student Affairs and to build lasting assessment capacity within departmental teams. Where individual departments own outcomes and reporting for their own units, this role operates one level up: setting shared standards, tools, and practices; coaching and upskilling departmental assessment staff; and ensuring the Division speaks with one voice, and one set of numbers, to the Provost, the Board of Visitors, accreditors, and families. This is a hybrid strategist/technologist role. The successful candidate is equally comfortable designing a valid survey instrument and building a governed Power BI or Tableau data model and is energized by teaching other professionals to do the same. The Senior Strategist provides direct analytical support for the Division’s strategic planning process, as well as other complex, high-visibility projects that are priorities for the Vice President and University leadership. The Senior Strategist is personally responsible for conducting high-impact research, analyzing data, and delivering insights that inform critical decisions for the Vice President and senior Student Affairs leadership, and ensures that assessment practitioners across the Division stay highly conversant with the latest tools in data analysis and Generative AI to drive evidence-based decision-making. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Divisional Assessment Strategy & Governance (30%) Set and steward a multi-year divisional assessment strategy aligned to DSA’s strategic plan, CAS standards, and NASPA/ACPA assessment competencies. Establish shared definitions, data standards, and a common assessment calendar across departments to enable Division-level roll-up reporting. Chair a cross-departmental Assessment Community of Practice bringing together assessment leads from each DSA unit. Advise the Chief of Staff and VP on assessment priorities, resourcing, and risk (e.g., survey fatigue, data quality, response rates). Data Analytics, Visualization & Reporting (25%) Create and own the Division’s executive assessment dashboard (Power BI/Tableau) synthesizing outcomes, engagement and satisfaction data across departments for the VP, AVPs, and senior leadership; recruit and supervise professionals and student research assistants supporting divisional assessment projects. Create a wide range of high-quality reports and visualizations to support VP’s executive and Board-level reporting needs. Partner with departmental data owners to integrate disparate systems (e.g., Handshake, Anthology, Qualtrics, SafeGrounds, StarRez) into a coherent divisional data model. Apply statistical analysis (descriptive, inferential, and predictive where appropriate) to identify trends, equity gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Ensure data governance, security, accessibility, and FERPA compliance across all shared dashboards and datasets. Capacity Building & Professional Development (25%) Design and deliver a divisional assessment training curriculum (survey design, sampling, storytelling with data) for staff who own assessment as part of a broader role. Build and maintain a shared toolkit of templates, rubrics, and starter dashboards that departments can adapt rather than build from scratch. Coach departmental assessment leads (e.g., UCC’s Associate Director of Assessment & Outcomes) one-on-one on methodology, instrument design, and analytics techniques. Identify and close assessment skill gaps across the Division through workshops, office hours, and a peer-review process for new instruments. Survey & Outcome Design (10%) Design or co-design divisional and cross-departmental surveys (e.g., student experience, climate, satisfaction) using sound sampling and psychometric practice. Establish a review process for new survey instruments developed by departments to reduce redundancy and survey fatigue. Advise departments on outcome-mapping and logic-model design so local assessment plans roll up cleanly to divisional goals. Partnerships & Communication (10%) Partner with Institutional Research and Analytics, the Provost’s Office, and individual DSA departments to align definitions and avoid duplicative data collection. Represent the Division in University-wide assessment initiatives. Translate complex data into clear narratives and visuals for varied audiences, from department directors to the Board of Visitors. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree. At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in assessment, institutional research, program evaluation, or analytics, ideally spanning multiple functional areas or units. Demonstrated expertise in survey methodology and instrument design, including sampling, validity/reliability, and response-rate strategy. Advanced proficiency with a modern BI/visualization platform (Power BI, Tableau, or similar) and demonstrated ability to build governed, production-quality dashboards. Highly conversant with the latest tools in data analysis and Generative AI to drive evidence-based decision-making Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, including comfort with statistical software or scripting (e.g., SPSS, R, Python, or advanced Excel). A track record of building assessment skills in others, through training, coaching, or capacity-building initiatives. Excellent data storytelling and stakeholder communication skills, with the ability to flex between technical and executive audiences. REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES Experience with and understanding of successful collaborative problem-solving approaches in organizations. Strong quantitative skills, including proficiency with statistical analysis and modeling. Ability to apply logical thinking and structured problem-solving to business challenges. Proficient in analytical tools and platforms (e.g., Excel, CoPilot, Claude, SQL, BI tools, financial modeling, forecasting techniques). Excellent oral and written communication skills; proven ability to clearly articulate information in multiple forums to senior executive audiences. Ability to handle sensitive issues while maintaining complete confidentiality; strong integrity and sound judgment about highly sensitive information and issues in a variety of settings, including ability to exercise appropriate discretion with highly confidential engagements. High level of emotional intelligence, empathy, and collaboration. Ability to interact with executive level administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders in a productive, positive and professional manner. Leadership and influence skills; ability to effectively lead in a matrix environment, provide coaching and development for departmental assessment practitioners, and create a highly positive and collaborative work climate. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Master's or Doctorate in Data Science, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Higher Education or a related field. Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in assessment, institutional research, program evaluation, or analytics, ideally spanning multiple functional areas or units. Experience setting assessment strategy at the division or institution level (versus a single department or program). Familiarity with CAS Standards, NASPA/ACPA assessment competencies, and regional accreditation (e.g., SACSCOC) expectations. Experience integrating decentralized data systems (SIS, housing, career, health, conduct) into a single reporting environment. Supervisory or matrixed people-leadership experience, including coaching staff who do not directly report to the role. Experience in Student Affairs or Student Success specifically. CORE COMPETENCIES Strategic: sets a multi-year vision for assessment that serves the whole Division, not just one function. Systems Thinker: designs shared standards and processes that work across decentralized, semi-autonomous departments. Teacher/Coach : builds capability in others; measures success partly by what departments can do without the Strategist’s direct involvement. Technically Fluent: moves comfortably between survey design, statistics, and modern BI tooling. Equity-Minded: uses data to surface and close gaps in student experience and outcomes. SUCCESS METRICS (Year 1–3) Publish a divisional assessment strategy and shared data governance standards adopted by all DSA departments. Launch a divisional assessment training curriculum and Community of Practice, with participation from every department’s assessment lead. Deliver a unified executive dashboard (Power BI/Tableau) rolling up key outcomes, engagement, and satisfaction metrics across the Division. Reduce redundant/duplicative surveys across departments through a centralized instrument-review process. Demonstrate measurable growth in departmental staff assessment capability (e.g., via skills self-assessment or training completion). Compensation and Benefits This is a Restricted Position , contingent on funding and project need. This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and is eligible for a partial hybrid schedule, in accordance with UVA’s remote work guidelines. This is an exempt-level position with UVA benefits . The anticipated salary range is $100,000 – $120,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA . Application Process This position will remain open until filled but preference will be given to applications received by August 31, 2026 . This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs. Apply online and search for requisition # R0086463 . Internal applicants must apply through the UVA Internal Careers website . Complete the application, and attach the following: Cover letter. CV/resume. References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process, a total of three is required. For questions about the application process, please contact Michele Jarman , Academic Recruiter. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Education: Bachelor's degree Experience: At least five years of relevant experience or Master's degree with at least two years of relevant experience. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Licensure: None PHYSICAL DEMANDS This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs. The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .