Submission

Please submit a cover letter and resume or CV to jobs@gardnerinstitute.org. We will give preference to applications received by May 31, 2023 but the posting will remain open until the position is filled.

The AVP reports to the Vice President and Director of the Institutional Transformation Assessment and will work closely with a team of staff and part-time fellows to design, evaluate, administer, and manage the Institutional Transformation Assessment (ITA) tool. The Transforming Foundational Postsecondary Experience is the process by which Gardner Institute engages with college and university partners to transform the institution to promote equitable and just student outcomes. The ITA constitutes a pivotal step in the Transformation Process, as it launches colleges and universities into a self-assessment prioritization process that guides their strategy and work for equitable student success. This position will administer the Institutional Transformation Assessment and Readiness, Willingness, and Ability (RWA) surveys to institutions; lead subsequent sensemaking and prioritization conversations with institutions; prepare survey dashboards; annually review the survey tools for updates and modifications; and support the design, evaluation, and implementation of additional Gardner Institute survey work. This position will work closely with the AVP and Assistant Director of the ITA Research  on presenting data for presentation and publication.

General Responsibilities

• Prepare summary materials and results dashboards related to college and university data from both the ITA and RWA survey tools.
• Guide the facilitation process and sensemaking sessions with college and university partners.
• Prepare and draft presentations, agendas, and other documents.
• Work with external partners such as Del Mar (our software solution partner), content authors,  and Alithi on technical issues as it relates to survey design and administration.
• Provide feedback and manage annual changes to the ITA and RWA tools.
• Provide research support to other Gardner Institute staff members and projects related to survey design, implementation, and data analysis/presentation.
• Lead and facilitate sensemaking – facilitated conversations with college and university leaders to prioritize survey findings and establish action plans.
• Participate broadly in Gardner Institute discussions, events, and cross-process work.

Preferred Job Requirements

Education

• Master’s degree in a related field, terminal degree preferred.

Experience

• Three to five years experience in research, project management, change management, institutional research, or a related field.
• Experience presenting data to lay audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating groups of individuals around planning and complex problem solving.
• Strong understanding of relevant higher education and public policies related to equity and undergraduate higher education student success.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Attention to detail and problem solving, with a demonstrated capacity to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently.
• A commitment to the Gardner Institute’s mission and valuing diversity, equity and social justice.
• Ability to facilitate diverse groups of professionals for consensus building.

The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education is a 25 year old non-profit organization that partners with colleges, universities, philanthropic organizations, educators, and other entities to improve student success.

Social Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core values at the Gardner Institute. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all staff. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by sharing a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions.

Working Conditions

• The position may be based anywhere in the United States. This position is home office-based with primary work on a computer, including phone, email and video conferencing.
• Ability to function at a computer or workstation for long periods of time.
• Ability to access reliable internet.

• Ability to travel up to 25 percent of the time, including periodic travel to the home office in Brevard, NC and ability to primarily work hours consistent with the Eastern Time Zone.

• All employees must show proof of COVID-19 Vaccinations (up to date with all eligible for their age groups).

The Gardner Institute is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. The Gardner Institute encourages applications from people of all races, religions, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ages, as well as veterans and individuals with disabilities. We deeply value and seek the expertise and lived experience of persons who reflect the diverse 21st century student population.

All employees are at-will employees. This means the employee or the Institute may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason or no reason.

Compensation

The salary will be commensurate with education and experience and is expected to start at $100,000 per year. This position includes full benefits: health insurance, dental insurance, long-term disability, sick and vacation time, and a 9% retirement match.