Director, Academic Planning - Student Learning Assessment & Educational Innovation

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title:

Director, Academic Planning, Student Learning Assessment & Educational Innovation

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Institutional Academic Planner II (Inst)

Job Duties:

The Universities of Wisconsin Administration (UWSA) Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) works under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs to develop, implement, and assess systemwide policies and procedures relating to academic array management as well as academic program planning and review and to support and coordinate student learning assessment, systemwide education program community of practice, credit for prior learning, competency based education and stackable credential initiatives along with other initiatives aligned to UWSA strategic priorities.  

Key Job Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President (AVP) for OAA, this position serves as a resource for policy analysis, research, and support for academic program planning and array management, and initiatives that address the enhancement of student learning and academic quality. Specific duties will include the following: 

Program Array 

• Analyze the academic array to support systemwide program planning and identify gaps found in the systemwide academic array. 

• Work collaboratively with UW System and UW university units, departments, and functional areas in the development and evaluation of academic program policies, and facilitate the development, analysis, and approval of new academic programs. 

• Be a resource to UW institutions on matters related to accreditation, online learning, and flexible and innovative approaches for earning degrees, including programs delivered in prison. 

• Engage in the update of policies and procedures related to program planning, review, and array management in collaboration with other OAA directors and relevant stakeholders. 

Assessment 

• Work with the SVP and AVP to assist OAA in supporting and coordinating university student assessment initiatives. 

• Lead strategic teams on curricular and student assessment aspects of strategic projects.  

• Collaborate to deliver professional development and other resources related to teaching, learning, and program assessment, such as the creation and/or revision of learning outcomes and associated assessments and the assessment and award of credit for prior learning. 

Policies 

• Author policy and analysis papers as needed. 

• Be a resource to UW universities in the monitoring, interpretation, and adoption of Higher Learning Commission (HLC), federal, state, Regent, and UW System policies, procedures, and mandates relating to academic program planning and faculty governance. 

Office of Academic Affairs  

• Assist in the planning, oversight, and implementation of long- and short-term strategies to advance OAA and systemwide priorities in academic planning and educational innovations. 

• Provide project and people management as directed by AVP. 

• Exercise supervisory authority to manage workflow, assign work, review and address performance, and approve hours as needed. 

• Serve as the UWSA liaison to campus and other stakeholder groups, including the Education Deans, OPLR, non-credit and credit credentialing programs, and Program Planning and Array Management.  

• Collaborate with AVP on workforce development projects including Workforce Pell. 

• Serve as UWSA liaison to support High Impact Practices at universities related to job placements and internships. 

• In collaboration with the AVP for Academic Affairs, other directors and Office of Professional and Instructional Development program manager, develop and engage in learning, teaching improvement, and instructional strategy initiatives for faculty and academic staff across the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. 

• Work on special projects as assigned by the AVP for Academic Affairs and/or the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. 

• As appropriate, represent the AVP at meetings and to other constituents. 

• Carry out other responsibilities and projects as assigned. 

Department:

The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA)assists the Board of Regents, the UW System President, and the UW universities to sustain sufficient access for students to majors and careers, identify gaps in systemwide program array, and analyze the workforce development needs of the state—all in the context of efficient management of systemwide resources. The office also supports PK-20 education initiatives.

Compensation:

The Director, Academic Planning, Student Learning Assessment and Educational Innovation is a full-time, exempt academic staff position with an annual appointment 

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $85,000-$105,000 commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree from an accredited institution. 

• 5 years of experience in a higher education environment. 

• Experience in an institution of higher education setting as a faculty or teaching academic staff member. 

• Extensive writing and editing experience. 

• Experience in planning and facilitating training and professional development for instructional or academic staff. 
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Leadership at the institution level for academic programs and/or assessment of student learning and initiatives that facilitate effective instruction and student academic success. 

• Experience in campus planning and review of academic programs. 

• Experience working with policy development and implementation. 

• Previous experience with various models of higher education delivery in the United States.   

• Knowledge of theory and application of higher education policy.  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven ability to establish, foster, and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Ability to exercise diplomacy, discretion, and sound judgment when addressing sensitive, confidential, or complex situations. 

• Experience using analytical skills to assess information, identify solutions, and support data-informed decision-making. 

• Demonstrated experience effectively organizing and prioritizing workload to manage multiple responsibilities and achieve organizational goals. 

• Knowledge of assessment and student learning assessment practices. 

Work Location:

The office location is located at Van Hise Hall in Madison, WI. An in-office requirement is expected three days per week with the option to work the remaining two days off-site/remote. Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time. 

How to Apply:

To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through 11:59 pm, January 4th, 2027. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled. 

To receive full consideration, interested applicants are required to apply online and provide:  

• Resume (PDF Format)  

• Cover letter addressing your experience and education as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications (PDF Format) 

Failing to submit the required application documents may disqualify your application.   

Contact Information:

Questions may be addressed to: Kristina Williston, HR Generalist at [email protected].

Accommodation Request

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting [email protected]. 

Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy

This offer of employment is conditional pending the results of a criminal background check and a reference check process that includes questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. If you have prior work history within the past 7 years with the Universities of Wisconsin, your personnel file will also be reviewed for employee misconduct. If the results are unacceptable, the offer will be withdrawn or, if you have started employment, your employment will be terminated.

Employment Authorization

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on, before, or after the effective date of appointment.   

Confidentiality

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7). 

Benefits Information

Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Faculty, Academic Staff & Limited Appointees  or University Staff   Please see this link for total compensation information: Universities of Wisconsin Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to provide you with total compensation information. 

Clery Act information 

The Universities of Wisconsin provides statistics on campus crime in its Annual Security Report.  For more information on university campus statistics see https://www.wisconsin.edu/compliance/clery/.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.