Senior Program Coordinator for Institutional Assessment

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.

• 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 Vanderbilt’s commitment to excellence.
• Foster and maintain relationships with accrediting agencies, peer institutions, and internal university leadership to enhance Vanderbilt’s standing in the academic community.

Operational Excellence

• Create and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for processes related to accreditation, programmatic, and decanal reviews to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Create and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for processes related to event management.
• Troubleshoot and refine the Process for Program Changes, Closures, and Additions (PCCAP) workflow to optimize efficiency and clarity.
• Develop and implement best practices for the organization and warehousing of critical documents related to accreditation and program review outcomes.
• Research, recommend, and integrate new project management tools and technologies to improve team workflows and enhance productivity.
• Submit expense reports and procurement requests.
• Act as expense delegate for OAPRAA Senior Director.

Exemplary Communication

• Communicate professionally and accurately with internal and external constituencies on technical and highly detailed matters, ensuring clarity and alignment.
• Manage communications and plan logistics for external decanal and programmatic reviews with OAPRAA Senior Director and OFA leaders, maintaining a high standard of professionalism.
• Propose and implement strategic communication initiatives in coordination with the OAPRAA.
• Senior Director and OFA leadership to inform and engage university constituents.
• Design and maintain OAPRAA’s webpages, incorporating user-friendly wireframes to ensure accessibility and effective information dissemination.

Perform other duties as assigned.
 

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary; a master's degree is preferred.
• Maintaining organization while prioritizing and managing multiple projects, responsibilities, and workflows with strict deadlines in a rapidly changing environment is necessary.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to articulate and present information to various and diverse audiences is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information is necessary.
• A willingness to learn and productively engage with changing technology and systems is necessary.
• The ability to work independently and as a member of a team is necessary.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software and applications; ability to assess and introduce new applications when appropriate, is necessary.
• Four to five years related experience in higher education is necessary.
• Familiarity and experience with a wide range of administrative support functions is necessary.
• Familiarity with institutional accreditation is preferred.
   

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.