Director of Assessment, Research, and Data Analytics
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Job Summary
Division of Public Safety at CU Boulder encourages applications for a Director of Assessment, Research, and Data Analytics! This role leads the implementation, collection, and analysis of data within the Division of Public Safety to inform standard processes, monitor trends, and assess both the return on mission and investment of work being done to support the University of Colorado. A key component of this role includes reporting on the Enhancing Campus Safety Initiative, one of the Chancellor’s newly established priorities, ensuring transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making in support of campus safety efforts.
The Director will ensure alignment with campus and system-wide priorities and the Division Strategic Plan, driving data-informed decision-making by enhancing data literacy among staff, consulting with leadership, and developing a robust training curriculum focused on critical assessment knowledge and skills.
Reporting to the Vice Chancellor of Public Safety, the Director collaborates with divisional leaders to develop and maintain assessment and research plans aligned with strategic goals. This executive-level role drives strategic planning, data analytics, AI ideation, deployment and integration, and technology innovation across public safety in a higher education environment. The key functions include:
- Strategic Planning & Risk Management Tracking & Reporting
- Data Analytics & AI Integration
- Data Privacy & Compliance
- Technology & Infrastructure Development
- Public Safety Operations Support
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Policy Leadership
The Director will play a leadership role in advancing assessment and planning efforts across the division, ensuring progress toward strategic goals and necessary adaptations. This position is integral in shaping a data-driven culture that strengthens the division’s impact within the university and beyond.
Who We Are
Division of Public Safety seeks to facilitate and coordinate a culture that supports the Boulder campus’ commitment to maintain the highest level of ethics, integrity, and safety in the conduct of its operations. We do this though services to enhance community safety, protect life and property, and foster safe, secure, and ethical practices.
The University of Colorado Boulder is one of America's leading research universities and the flagship of the CU System. As a comprehensive public doctoral Research University, CU Boulder is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified as an R1 University. The university has nine schools and colleges offering over 150 academic programs and enrolling 35,000 degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students.
At CU Boulder, we believe in supporting each other and valuing everyone who is part of our community. Our values are expected of all Buffs and lead our actions in the classroom, on campus and in our community. At CU Boulder, we commit to building a more diverse and inclusive campus community. We value different backgrounds, identities and perspectives and believe that engagement with a wide range of ideas and viewpoints can help students learn and grow.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Assessment and Research
- Lead Division-wide assessment activities, including:
- Consult with units to develop and implement comprehensive outcome-based assessment plans.
- Provide expertise in instrument development, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Develop and implement assessment projects to support the work of Division leadership and inform action and improvement.
- Coordinate and lead reports and presentations that inhibit data-driven decision- making, provide context and background to amplify the work being done within the division.
- Coordinate and lead publication efforts, sharing standard processes in the field, and demonstrating CU Boulder as an innovative leader in the field of Public Safety.
- Create an annual research and assessment agenda for the division.
- Serve as liaison for campus-wide surveys administered on behalf of the Division: review and approve unit requests and consult on instrument development.
- Administer, revise, and improve policies based on utility, compliance, and campus policies and expectations.
- Serve as liaison to Office of Data Analytics and similar units, represent Division on Campus Surveys Committee.
- Work with campus partners to develop in-house data access and management Solutions.
- Create, review, and construct insights from division and institutional data to craft a cohesive understanding of the student experience at CU Boulder, while incorporating local and national trends, effective strategies, and professional literature.
Strategic Planning
- Develop and implement a long-term strategic framework for tracking and reporting public safety initiatives, aligning departmental initiatives with institutional priorities.
- Lead cross-functional planning to enhance safety, risk mitigation, and emergency preparedness.
- Provide strategic leadership in the adoption and integration of emerging security technologies, including AI-powered surveillance, risk governance, security innovation, intelligent campus safety systems, and digital forensics tools.
- Collaborate with IT and security teams to deploy interoperable safety solutions that enhance situational awareness.
- Communicate and coordinate reporting expectations with department leaders.
- Identify successes and obstacles to progress at the unit and Division level; make recommendations to Division leadership on navigating obstacles and ensuring Progress.
- Coach leadership on developing and implementing appropriate assessment of their Strategic Plan-aligned actions.
- Create and distribute reports and presentations on Division progress. Write progress reports in multiple formats for a variety of audiences.
- Deliver presentations to Division leadership, all staff in Town Hall format, partners outside the Division.
- Provide expertise in outcome-writing, instrument development, data collection and analysis on working group’s topics of focus.
- Monitor and report on working group progress toward accomplishing their charge on appropriate timelines.
- Collaborate on iterative process to write a new Strategic Plan for the Division when current Plan term ends.
- Facilitate feedback-gathering sessions from Division staff at all levels.
- Ensure Plan’s alignment with and support of campus and system-level initiatives.
Training and Development
- Develop and deliver assessment training curriculum to Division staff.
- Build capacity in assessment foundations, methods, and data analysis.
- Maintain and improve assessment policies and procedures for the Division.
Administration
- Manage workflow and work products
- Lead division assessment analysis:
- Coordinate with liaisons within each Public Safety’ department to provide assessment updates and ensure effective and appropriate collaboration between departments and campus partners.
- Create and deliver curriculum to educate staff on reporting expectations, more intermediate-level assessment skills, and share data across units.
- Identify key data sets within and outside the institutional context; interpret their relevance for policy, programs, and services in the Division; prepare reports and presentations.
- Data Analytics & AI Integration – Leverage predictive analytics, AI driven solutions, and automation to improve crime prevention, emergency response, and resource optimization. Implement real-time monitoring tools and data visualization platforms to enhance operational decision-making.
- Data Privacy & Compliance – Ensure data governance, privacy protection, and regulatory compliance (GDPR, FERPA, HIPAA) in public safety technologies. Oversee secure data-sharing protocols and cybersecurity standard methodologies to protect sensitive information.
- Stay current on standard processes within the field of Public Safety assessment, educating, training, and implementing these practices across departments.
- Support of Division Leadership/Representation of Division
- Provide research, assessment and reporting, policy review and analysis, project management as needed for high-level Division projects.
- Represent Division on campus assessment committees as appropriate.
- Compile data and recommendations or talking points for Vice Chancellor and Assistant Vice Chancellors in response to campus, system, Regent, or other relevant requests.
What We Can Offer
Starting salary range is $127,270 - $141,444.
Benefits
Be Statements
What We Require
- A Bachelor's degree in public safety, emergency management, research, or a related field.
- 6 years of experience in outcomes assessment and evaluation;
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
What You Will Need
- Established at the foundational outcomes level within the "Assessment, Evaluation, and Research" competency area and show evidence of movement to the intermediate outcomes level.
- Differentiate among assessment, program review, evaluation, planning, and research as well as the methods appropriate to each.
- Select methods, methodologies, designs, and tools that fit with research and evaluation questions and with assessment and review purposes.
- Experience participating in or leading program reviews.
- Facilitate appropriate data collection for system/department-wide assessment and evaluation efforts using current technology and methods.
- Effectively articulate, interpret, and apply results of reports and studies relevant to Public Safety.
- Assess the legitimacy, trustworthiness, and/ or validity of studies of various methods and methodological designs (e.g. qualitative vs. quantitative, theoretical perspective, epistemological approach).
- Identify the political and educational sensitivity of raw and partially processed data and handling them with appropriate confidentiality and deference to organizational hierarchies.
- Design program and learning outcomes that are appropriately clear, specific, and measurable, that are informed by theoretical frameworks and that align with organizational outcomes, goals, and values.
- Evidence of strong written and oral communication skills, including ability to deliver presentations to large and/or senior leadership level audiences.
- Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills to establish awareness, understanding, and consensus; skill in negotiating and exchanging ideas and information with others to build consensus.
- Ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, interpret findings, and produce effective reports for a variety of audiences, including non-technical audiences.
- Ability to organize multifaceted projects and develop accurate timelines for completion: strong attention to detail and follow-through.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Doctorate or terminal degree in higher education or related field.
- Five years of experience working in higher education assessment or educational research roles.
- Previous experience coordinating or leading strategic plan processes for a large division.
- Extensive experience designing, validating, and administering assessment instruments, such as surveys, rubrics, focus group protocols, etc.
- Significant experience delivering presentations to large and/or senior level audiences including university leadership.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by March 26, 2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
Essential Services
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu