Assistant Director, Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Institutional Research - UT Chattanooga

The Assistant Director of the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Institutional Research (OPEIR) plays a pivotal role in advancing institutional effectiveness through strategic data analysis and reporting. This senior-level position supports the Executive Director in leading complex analytics, informing executive decision-making, and managing data governance initiatives. Key responsibilities include oversight of mandatory external reporting (THEC, IPEDS, UT System), supervision of data analysts, and management of the department’s ticketing request system.

Reporting & Compliance 

• Prepare and submit required institutional reports (e.g., IPEDS, UT System, THEC) accurately and on time.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state reporting standards and deadlines.
• Respond to ad-hoc data requests from campus stakeholders.
• Document reporting processes for consistency and transparency.

Data Analysis & Insights 

• Lead research projects using appropriate methodologies to identify trends in enrollment, retention, outcomes, and operational efficiencies.
• Translate findings into actionable insights for institutional leadership.
• Conduct benchmarking analyses with peer institutions.
• Provide timely, accurate responses to data inquiries.

Data Quality & Governance 

• Integrate and validate data from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and integrity.
• Implement data quality checks and maintain standards.
• Collaborate with data stewards to resolve anomalies and clarify definitions.
• Develop and oversee data governance strategies and documentation.

Workflows & Transparency 

• Automate reporting workflows to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Design interactive dashboards and visualizations using tools like Tableau or Power BI.
• Ensure consistent, user-friendly data presentation for decision-making.

Education & Continuous Improvement 

• Present insights to stakeholders and lead training to improve data literacy.
• Stay current on best practices in analytics and higher education.
• Recommend and implement improvements to data collection, reporting, and workflows.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Required:

• Demonstrated expertise in statistical data analysis.
• Proficiency in statistical programming languages such as R, Python, and SPSS.
• Advanced statistical analysis skills using SAS and SPSS.
• Proficiency in data visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI.
• Strong project management and communication skills.

Preferred:

• Experience with enterprise-level data management platforms such as Alteryx, Databricks, or Azure.
• Knowledge of state and federal reporting requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of predictive analytics.

In order to be considered for candidacy, applicants must submit a cover letter and resume in addition to the online application. Review of applications will begin September 3, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in Data Science, Analytics, Higher Education Administration, Psychology, Statistics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in post-secondary administration or institutional research.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• PhD in a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience. 

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is in the heart of one of Tennessee’s largest and most dynamic cities. As a national model for metropolitan universities, UTC collaborates with its many regional partners to offer an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in 128 undergraduate degree programs and 55