Program Director of Assessment & Institutional Learning

Position Details
University of Colorado | Denver
Official Title: Business Services Program Director
Working Title: Program Director of Assessment and Institutional Learning
FTE: Full-time
Salary Range: $116,608 - $126,870
Position #00672391- Requisition #39727
Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado, Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus
CU Denver and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus serve as vital pillars of the University of Colorado system. Located in the heart of the city, CU Denver helps make education work for all by offering unique opportunities at a premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs, across seven schools and colleges. Just a few miles away in Aurora, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus is a nationally recognized academic medical campus, home to six health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked hospitals-UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado-which together see more than 2.6 million patient visits annually.
While on separate campuses, the two universities collaborate in key areas to provide comprehensive support for students, faculty, and staff. The results are powerful: Together, CU Denver and CU Anschutz Medical Campus have earned an R1 classification for conducting cutting-edge and life-changing research that creates impact in our communities. Additionally, for more than a decade, they have received a national Military Friendly School designation. For more information visit, ucdenver.edu and cuanschutz.edu.

Job Description
* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The Director of Assessment and Institutional Learning provides strategic leadership for CU Denver's assessment ecosystem, advancing a faculty-centered, improvement-oriented approach to student learning and institutional effectiveness. The position integrates program-level assessment, Core and co-curricular assessment, and emerging areas such as micro-credentials and AI-supported practices to ensure the university generates credible, actionable evidence of student learning.

Working in close collaboration with Academic Planning, Institutional Research and Effectiveness (OIRE), faculty governance, and academic units, the Director aligns assessment with program review, accreditation, and strategic planning. The role emphasizes "closing the loop" by translating assessment findings into meaningful improvements in curriculum, pedagogy, and student success, while contributing to a broader institutional research agenda on assessment and learning.

Program Director of Assessment & Institutional Learning

What you will do:
In coordination with Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (OIRE), the role serves as CU Denver's primary integrator of assessment evidence. Responsibilities of the role include:

• Annual Program Outcomes Assessment - Support faculty in collecting, interpreting, and integrating evidence of student learning into program review and improvement, while coordinating accreditation reporting.
• Development of an Institutional Research Agenda on Assessment - Advance a research agenda on assessment (including modalities and student success) and synthesize findings to inform institutional practice and policy.
• Faculty Development Integration - Collaborate with faculty development units to provide training, workshops, and learning communities that embed assessment into teaching and curriculum design.
• Core Curriculum Assessment Leadership - Contribute to the design, implementation, and reporting of Core Curriculum assessment, including rubrics, scoring processes, and governance reporting.
• Co-Curricular Assessment Development - Develop frameworks and tools for assessing student learning in co-curricular programs and integrate findings into institutional effectiveness efforts.
• Micro-Credential Assessment Framework - Establish learning outcomes, evaluation standards, and evidence practices for micro-credentials to ensure academic credibility and workforce relevance.
• Strategic Integration of AI into Assessment - Explore and implement AI-supported assessment practices (e.g., scoring, synthesis, analytics) while developing ethical and governance guidelines.
• Develop Institutional "Closing the Loop" Infrastructure - Create systems to document and track how assessment findings lead to improvements in curriculum, pedagogy, and student support.
• Alignment of Assessment Policy (Policy 7024) with Institutional Practice - Conduct gap analysis and revise policy to ensure alignment with actual practices and clarify expectations.
• Assessment Communications - Redesign and maintain assessment resources (e.g., website, templates, exemplars) to improve clarity, transparency, and usability.
• Coordinating Program Review Logistics (7-year cycle) - Manage timelines, templates, and processes for program review, ensuring integration of assessment evidence and minimizing burden.
• Coordinating Annual Program Check-In Process (annual cycle) - Oversee tools and processes for annual check-ins, synthesize insights across programs, and connect findings to institutional planning and improvement.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., education, assessment, higher education, social sciences, or a disciplinary field with strong assessment experience)
• Six (6)+ years of progressively responsible experience in higher education; demonstrated experience with:
  • Student learning outcomes assessment (program-level and/or institutional).
  • Faculty collaboration and support.
  • Use of data to inform improvement.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Demonstrated scholarly or applied work in assessment, institutional effectiveness, or teaching and learning
• Experience working in or alongside faculty governance structures
• Experience with accreditation processes (e.g., HLC or equivalent)
• Experience integrating assessment with program review, planning, or strategy
• Demonstrated use of AI or emerging technologies in learning assessment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of higher education assessment practices, accreditation standards (e.g., HLC), institutional effectiveness, and the integration of qualitative and quantitative evidence to support student learning and program improvement.
• Skilled in facilitating faculty-centered assessment processes, analyzing and synthesizing data, designing assessment frameworks, and communicating findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, translate assessment into actionable improvements, align assessment with planning and policy, and manage multiple institutional processes simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrate an exceptional understanding of access and engagement with a commitment to developing equitable practices.
• Ability to perform duties independently without guidance and direction from other professionals.
• Ability to articulate the University's mission and the importance of the 2030 strategic plan
• Ability to manage ambiguous situations and/or information and translate them into results
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional management and leadership qualities
• Ability to manage and oversee multiple projects and tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high attention to detail
• Ability to effectively plan, establish and implement program goals and objectives
• Demonstrate ongoing leadership and oversight of a department, including the development of strategies and processes which contribute to the University and/or campus mission and accountability for services provided.
• Ability to determine and implement a department's processes and strategic plans
• Ability to develop strategic plans that align with the goals of the University
• Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for the analysis of fiscal and human resources required to achieve department objectives including hiring, compensation, termination, and performance management.
• Demonstrate progressive supervisory qualities

Conditions of Employment

• This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

• The ability to sit for extended periods, stand and walk occasionally, reach with hands and arms, use hands to manipulate a keyboard and mouse, and have good near vision for computer work;often requiring minimal lifting, but may involve bending or reaching to retrieve items from shelves or drawers.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu.

Employment Sponsorship
Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $116,608 - $126,870.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line. Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by May 9th, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials
To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
• A current CV/resume
• List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Paula Dickson at paula.dickson@ucdenver.edu.

Background Check Policy
The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.