APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Complete applications received by end of day, February 5, 2025 are ensured full consideration.  Applications submitted after February 5^th may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until position is filled.

To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs

Required application materials:

1. Cover letter (* See below)
2. Curriculum vitae or resume

All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.  

*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application.

Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application you will not be able to go into the system and change them.

Before starting the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at: https://kb.uwss.wisconsin.edu/21900

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:

Search Chair: Cori Beskow
Email: beskowc@uwstout.edu

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:

Search Coordinator: Julie Zack
Email: zackj@uwstout.edu

The University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, seeks a dynamic Executive Director of Planning, Assessment, Research, and Quality (PARQ). Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Quality, this leadership role oversees the PARQ office, driving institutional research, strategic planning, regional accreditation, and continuous improvement. Join us to lead impactful initiatives and enhance university excellence.  

The anticipated start date is May 1, 2025.

Official UW Title (Code)/Job Description: Operations Director (B) (AD054)

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the chief institutional research officer. Plan and direct UW-Stout’s comprehensive institutional research, assessment, and analysis responsibilities and requirements. Collaborate across the university to lead a comprehensive research program in support of university-wide decision-making, accreditation, data governance, and planning and assessment.
• Provide leadership and administration of the institution’s work with the Higher Learning Commission. Serve as the Accreditation Liaison Officer, assurance system coordinator, data update coordinator, and main point of contact for UW-Stout’s accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission.
• Provide operational enrollment management data and key performance indicators to inform decision-making and meet campus needs. Lead development of interactive dashboards and advanced analytics with both operational and official data to facilitate quicker, more informed decisions and empower the campus community to engage with data in meaningful ways.
• Direct campus-wide implementation of EAB Navigate, a software program used to comprehensively assess, monitor, and intervene to ensure student success for the entire population.
• Provide advice, counsel, and recommendation to the Vice Chancellor on planning and analytical issues.
• Plan, design, direct, and perform university-wide benchmarking and other analytical studies for institutional improvement and as required for accreditation.
• In coordination with the Associate Director for PARQ, provide leadership for:
• the university-wide strategy development and implementation process to ensure the institution is meeting institutional goals,
• the quality and continuous improvement framework for the institution, and
• the policy and procedure review process.
• Serve as the director of Catalyst (a fee-based unit that provides external services related to evaluation, strategic planning and data management and analysis).
• Serve as building supervisor for Bowman Hall.
• Other related duties as assigned by the Vice Chancellor.

The Executive Director is also responsible for the management and development of the Planning, Assessment, Research and Quality staff and continued improvement of all services within the Planning, Assessment, Research and Quality unit.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
The office of Planning, Assessment, Research and Quality is responsible for leading strategic planning and accountability, institutional research and assessment, Catalyst, regional accreditation, quality initiatives and university policy and procedure management. Our decisions are informed by data and reflect the needs of UW-Stout and our external clients.  

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum/Required

• Master’s degree in social sciences, statistics, data science, higher education administration, education policy, or related area by employment start date.
• Knowledge and proficiency in analytics, application of advanced statistical concepts, and/or research design methodology. Proven experience in increasingly complex roles, including leadership positions, within higher education, institutional research, assessment, innovation, and/or accreditation, or a comparable professional background.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically in setting and achieving institutional goals using a data-informed approach.

Highly Desired/Preferred

• Doctoral degree in social sciences, statistics, data science, higher education administration, education policy, or related area.

• Experience in creating and visualizing reports using Tableau or similar data visualization tool.
• Experience with extracting CRM data from platforms such as Salesforce and EAB Navigate, or similar tools.
• Advanced knowledge of analytical modeling techniques.
• Prior experience as an Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) or similar position that requires detailed knowledge and application of accreditation standards and strategic insight.

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, offers an unmatched career-focused education that combines applied learning, theory and research with real-world experience that prepares tomorrow’s leaders to drive the future of business and industry. At UW-Stout, our students do more than earn a degree--they do on day one. And we are #StoutProud to produce lifelong learners, ethical leaders and responsible citizens who succeed in a global society.

UW-Stout is recognized nationwide for its operational excellence. We were the first and remain the only full four-year public higher education institution in the nation to receive the Malcolm Baldrige Award, and we are dedicated to a process-improvement model that leverages the power of data and the value of our people. We believe in critical thinking and fact-informed decision making. We pursue sustainability in form and function and collaborate across campus and with our partners to solve problems in industry and society. And providing an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for our faculty, staff, and students to live, learn and work is a top priority.

We offer 50+ undergraduate degrees, 20+ graduate degrees and 30+ professional certificates in Art, Design & Graphics; Business & Management; Education; Human & Social Sciences; Information Technology & Communications; and Science, Engineering & Math. Our first-class digital infrastructure and learning environments provide our nearly 7,000 students with every avenue to explore and personalize their success. As the only laptop+ campus among the 13 Universities of Wisconsin, UW-Stout provides laptops and industry-standard software, open education resources and other technology-driven advantages—all included in on-campus undergraduate tuition and fees. And we invest in people who share our vision to advance our position as Wisconsin’s only Polytechnic University and as a regional, national, and international leader in higher education.

Be a part of the future at UW-Stout. Learn more at https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us

University of Wisconsin-Stout is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, a community an hour east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. A pillar of Wisconsin’s Chippewa Valley and recognized as one of the best small towns in America, Menomonie provides an idyllic combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, boutiques and arts and culture with access to a metropolitan area. For more information about the UW-Stout community and region visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/our-community

The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees. UW-Stout is certified as a Family Friendly Workplace which recognizes market-leading employers for employee benefits and commitment to supporting children and families.

• Benefit Details: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf
• To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)