Senior Program Coordinator for Institutional Assessment

Job Description

It is an exciting time at Vanderbilt as the University officially welcomed C. Cybele Raver as its new Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs on July 1, 2021. Under the leadership of Provost Raver, the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs is leading bold new initiatives and strengthening existing programs. The Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment, and Accreditation (OAPRAA), which is housed within the Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA), is seeking a Senior Program Coordinator (SPC). The SPC is primarily assigned to support the work of OAPRAA but also lends support to larger divisional projects across the Office of the Provost areas on an as-needed basis.

The Senior Program Coordinator is responsible for supporting the planning and execution of key institutional assessment and accreditation initiatives at Vanderbilt. This role includes outreach to leadership, faculty, and staff for substantive input on university-wide initiatives, project management for the creation of major accreditation and assessment documents, and coordinating logistics for on-site program evaluations aimed at strengthening existing programs. The SPC regularly liaises with internal and external stakeholders, including leadership at other institutions and representatives from state offices and accrediting agencies, focusing on areas that impact Vanderbilt's reputation, such as program assessment and evaluation for all academic and non-academic units, managing the program change process, and facilitating external reviews.

Additionally, the Senior Program Coordinator manages workflows and communications related to compliance with reporting deadlines, external review processes, and programmatic changes, additions, and closures. This role requires building and maintaining relationships across the university and with external audiences, engaging with evolving technologies, and demonstrating effective oral and written communication skills. The SPC must also work independently, self-monitor, and organize complex tasks while maintaining confidentiality.

The Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment, and Accreditation (OAPRAA) is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate institutional compliance reporting externally to Vanderbilt’s institutional accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), for managing the process for Proposals to Create or Change Academic Programs (PCCAP), and for compiling student learning outcomes and annual goals/objectives assessments across all academic programs and academic/student support services at the university. OAPRAA monitors changes in federal accreditation requirements and serves as the hub for expertise in institutional compliance for Vanderbilt. The office also supports Vanderbilt’s bold initiatives in pursuing operational activities in other locations beyond the state of Tennessee, and supports the Provost in evaluating university units as well as decanal reviews.

The Office of Faculty Affairs in the Office of the Provost is led by the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. The office exists to support and champion Vanderbilt faculty at every stage of their career and to promote and advise professional academic programs. Vanderbilt University has over 4,000 full-time faculty across ten schools and colleges. The Office of Faculty Affairs includes the Institute for Advancement of Higher Education, the Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment, & Accreditation, the Office of Educational Design & Development, the Office of Faculty Appointments, and the Office of Faculty Development.

Duties and Responsibilities
Project Coordination

• Independently develop and manage complex workflows under supervision of the Senior Director, ensuring effective communication with internal and external stakeholders regarding the status of projects and proposals.
• Develop and implement detailed project plans, monitor progress, and take corrective actions to ensure alignment with project goals and deadlines.
• Proactively assist the OAPRAA Senior Director in tracking and completing critical tasks and deadlines.
• Create meeting agendas, take minutes, and track action items to maintain organizational efficiency and accountability.
• Collaborate with OFA leadership as available to support the management of division-level projects.

Reputational Success and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for high-stakes onsite events, including external reviews, committee meetings, and dean searches, ensuring a professional, polished, and organized experience that reflects positively on Vanderbilt’s institutional reputation.
• Lead cross-functional teams in planning and executing high-profile events with key stakeholders, delivering hospitality and professional standards that align with Va