Director of Accreditation and Assessment

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks a Director of Accreditation and Assessment to lead institutional effectiveness, oversee accreditation processes with The Commission, and coordinate campus-wide assessment initiatives. The role emphasizes compliance, documentation, and continuous improvement across units.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Effectiveness, the director will guide data systems, manage staff, and collaborate with faculty, deans, and offices to align

Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education, educational research, assessment and evaluation, public administration, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in accreditation, assessment, institutional effectiveness, or closely related work.
• Ability to lead complex projects and coordinate across multiple units.
• Experience with accreditation standards, narratives, reporting, and keeping organized evidence.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary campus resource for accreditation requirements and act as liaison to The Commission.
• Lead university-wide planning, coordination, and documentation for reaffirmation, interim reviews, and annual reporting.
• Draft, review, and edit accreditation narratives, reports, and related institutional documentation.
• Coordinate with campus partners to develop internal procedures ensuring compliance with accreditation expectations.
• Maintain an accreditation calendar and organized evidence repository.
• Direct assessment of academic programs and administrative units, and manage data systems for evidence-based improvement.
• Provide faculty and staff training on assessment design, curriculum mapping, rubrics, and data analysis.

Skills

Project management

Strategic planning

Leadership

Communication

Education

Master's degree in higher education or related field

Job description

Director of Accreditation and Assessment

Hiring Department: Office of Strategic Academic Initiatives

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Nov 23, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Purpose

The Director of Accreditation and Assessment oversees institutional effectiveness efforts including unit and student learning outcomes assessment, functions as the primary campus contact on matters related to institutional accreditation by The Commission on Colleges and Universities (The Commission, formerly SACSCOC), and coordinates campus engagement with specialized accreditors. The Director leads the implementation of academic program assessment, unit assessment, and general education assessment. The Director also has primary responsibility for ensuring and documenting UT Austin's compliance with accreditation requirements.

The position advances institutional effectiveness and continuous improvement at UT Austin by ensuring that the university maintains compliance with accreditation requirements and that assessment practices produce reliable evidence used to improve academic programs and administrative units. The position advises leadership on accreditation implications of institutional and academic changes and follows approved university decision and submission processes.

The Director of Accreditation and Assessment will report to the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Effectiveness.

Must be eligible to work in the US on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Institutional accreditation leadership

• Serve as the primary campus resource for matters related to The Commission's accreditation requirements, policies, procedures, and reporting. Serve as the university's designated accreditation liaison to The Commission and primary institutional contact for accreditation matters.
• Lead university-wide planning, coordination, and documentation for reaffirmation, the fifth-year interim review, annual reporting, substantive change processes, and other reporting requirements.
• Draft, review, and edit accreditation narratives, reports, and related institutional documentation.
• Coordinate with campus partners to develop and implement internal procedures that ensure continued compliance with accreditation expectations.
• Maintain an accreditation calendar and organized evidence repository.
• Monitor changes in accreditation requirements and advise leadership on implications for policy, process, institutional planning, and operations.
• Coordinate accreditation committees, reviewer visits, and follow-up activities.
• Communicate requirements to campus units. Route institutional commitments and official submissions through authorized university leadership.

University assessment and improvement

• Provide leadership for academic program assessment, unit assessment, and administrative reviews.
• Oversee the implementation and management of an integrated assessment system for educational programs and academic, student support, and administrative units within the assigned institutional scope.
• Work with faculty, deans, unit leaders, and university partners to maintain reliable evidence, strengthen assessment practices, and prepare timely institutional reports.
• Manage assessment data systems, including implementation, evidence collection, access, and user support. Analyze and communicate findings for planning and improvement.


• Provide faculty and staff training on assessment design, curriculum mapping, rubrics, data analysis, and system use.
• Coordinate evidence retention with technology and records partners.


• Lead the evaluation, selection, and vendor management of accreditation and assessment platforms and tools, and plan and manage their campus launch, training, and ongoing support in partnership with technology and procurement offices.


• Partner with the Office of Curriculum and Academic Administration (CAA) on core curriculum assessment, institutional expectations, evidence quality, and accreditation reporting. Coordinate with Institutional Research and other data owners to obtain validated data and avoid duplicate reporting.

Substantive change and academic coordination

• Maintain a process for identifying and evaluating potential substantive changes affecting accreditation with The Commission. Coordinate required notifications, prospectuses, supporting evidence, deadlines, and approval tracking before implementation when applicable.
• Partner with CAA, the Registrar, colleges and schools, the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and other units to evaluate accreditation implications of new or modified programs, delivery methods, instructional locations, academic agreements, and program closures. Collaborate with the Director of CAA, who leads state authorization and NC-SARA coordination, on changes affecting both authorization and accreditation.


• Coordinate accreditation review of teach-out plans and agreements with responsible colleges and schools, CAA, and legal counsel. Track external review status and communicate implementation conditions to responsible units.


• Advise on institutional requirements, maintain an inventory of specialized and programmatic accreditations and their review cycles, and coordinate with specialized accreditation leads in the colleges and schools.


• Support applicable UT System and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) assessment and accreditation reporting with the university offices responsible for those submissions.

Office leadership and institutional advising

• Supervise assigned staff, establish priorities, manage assigned resources, and evaluate performance.


• Identify staffing and technology needs and maintain procedures that support continuity of operations.


• Advise the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Effectiveness and other leaders on accreditation and assessment policies, priorities, and updates; communicate risks promptly and recommend practical solutions.


• Represent the office on assigned committees and external professional groups.

Other related duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of accreditation, assessment, and institutional effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education, educational research, assessment and evaluation, public administration, or a related field.


• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education accreditation, assessment, institutional effectiveness, or closely related work, including leadership of complex projects involving multiple units.


• Demonstrated experience preparing accreditation narratives or reports and organizing supporting evidence; thorough working knowledge of The Commission's Principles of Accreditation, reporting processes, and substantive change requirements.


• Experience developing or reviewing assessment plans, analyzing qualitative and quantitative evidence, and helping faculty or staff use findings to improve programs or services.


• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to write, edit, and format professional documents; meet deadlines; manage multiple, complex priorities; and work both independently and as part of a team. Must be detail-oriented.


• Ability to work effectively with faculty, senior leaders, and external agencies; exercise sound judgment; and handle confidential information appropriately.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate in a relevant field.


• Experience at a large research university.


• Leadership of an institutional reaffirmation or interim reporting cycle.


• Institutional accreditation liaison experience.


• Supervisory experience.


• Experience with assessment management systems (including vendor management and campus launch) and Texas public higher education processes.

Salary Range

$120,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Work to be performed in typical office environment

Required Materials

• Resume/CV


• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor


• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]


• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]


• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.